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Percy Allen Conarroe died peacefully in his sleep in Louisville, Colo., on June 15, 2013 with his loving wife, Carolyn, at his side. He was 86. Born March 3, 1927, he was the son of Lawrence and Grace (Allen) Conarroe. Percy grew up in Calhan, Colo., a few miles south of the quarter section of land his grandfather, William Conarroe, homesteaded on the eastern plains near Fondis starting in 1898. At age 15, Percy played alto saxophone for the touring dance band The George Bates Foot-Stompers, and was offered a gig in the big band circuit in Chicago but decided to stay home and finish high school. A debilitating car accident at age 17, caused by a truck driving on the wrong side of the road, left Percy with one lung which made him ineligible for military duty, but he continued to play saxophone into his early 80s. Percy did not go to college, but he worked to become one of the most acclaimed editorial writers in Colorado. He started his journalism career in 1948 at the Calhan News. He later purchased and published the Simla Pike View Farmer (now known as the Ranchland News) from 1952 to 1965, and during that time advocated and lobbied for adequate rural health care. Owner, editor and publisher of the Louisville Times, Lafayette News and Erie Review from 1965 to 1997, Percy never backed down from a political battle because he felt that any local newspaper worth its salt should get involved in local controversies. He helped form the Louisville Chamber of Commerce and was a key figure in helping bring Storage Technology Corporation to Louisville in 1969. He worked every day with courage and passion to make Louisville, Lafayette and Erie well-planned, economically vital communities. During his 50-year journalism career, Percy mentored — he called it "Percy's Imperfect Newspaper Training School" — dozens of budding Colorado journalists, including those who later became executives, editors and reporters at Ogden Publications, Dolan Media, Reader's Digest, Wall Street Journal, Crain's Business Weekly, Knight-Ridder News Service, Asia Inc. magazine, The Denver Post, The Pueblo Chieftain, the Denver Business Journal, Johnstown Breeze and many others. He was a past president and an honorary lifetime member of Colorado Press Association. In 1992, he was named CPA Newspaper Person of the Year. He also served as mayor and town trustee of Simla, volunteered for the Simla Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years and was a 48-year member of Lions International. In 1950, he married Carolyn Jeannette Morris in New Carlisle, Ohio. They worked side-by-side in the family newspaper businesses and, after retirement, moved from Louisville to Erie, then later settled in Longmont. As was the case with his professional career, he especially loved rooting for the underdog, so the Denver Broncos were his favorite team — until they started winning. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Olive Thayer and Shirleen Banuelos, and a daughter, Catherine. In addition to his wife of 63 years, he is survived by his sons David (Judy) Conarroe and Doug (Dana Coffield) Conarroe, and his daughter, Cynthia (Mike) Campbell, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Despite wielding a fiery pen, Percy was a kind, caring, gentle, humble and jovial man even in his last hours. He was a loving father, grandfather and husband and spent a lifetime gleefully lecturing his offspring about conservative politics and good government while at the dinner table and at family gatherings. He will be dearly missed. Entombment will be at Coal Creek Memorial Cemetery in Louisville. A memorial service is planned for June 28 at 10 a.m. at Longs Peak Methodist Church, 1421 Elmhurst Dr. in Longmont. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you either write a letter to the editor about something you care about or send a donation to TRU Community Care hospice, 2594 Trail Ridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026. Share condolences at www.howemortuary.com
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5 Entries
How I miss Percy and his professionalism and common sense.
Steve Bosley
Friend
June 18, 2022
Percy was a man of unimpeachable honesty. I didn't always agree with him, but no one could dispute his passion for the truth and for his profession. I am honored to have known him.
Chris Schmidt
June 26, 2013
Carolyn, Jeanne and I were out of town and not we are so sorry to hear of Percy's passing. Words fail us at times like this but we know he has that perfect peace that transcends all understanding. Know that we thought he was such a special guy, one I so enjoyed visiting with and hearing his views on so many facets of life. May you have peace as well at this time.
Joe & Jean Baldwin
June 24, 2013
Percy hired me, fresh out of college and graduation from CSU in 1976. I think I was their Girl Friday, selling ads, writing stories when Percy would let me, taking photos, developing photos and pasting ads. He also gave me money every week to get pastries at Karen's for the staff. I learned so much from Percy and admired him as a true journalist in every sense of the word. He started me out in my journalism career and that was the most exciting time for me. I am grateful to him and Carolyn and my thoughts are with his family and close friends.
Debby (Gillis) Weitzel
June 24, 2013
I first met Percy when he wrote a critical editorial about a kids program we were doing at the Bank of Boulder. We visited about it and he wrote another one saying he now had all the facts, and supported it. We became friends of sorts and staying touch as I often congratulated him on his editorials and we discussed politics public policy and generally far ranging subjects. I asked his advice on PR issues and it was always sound. Journalism and our community has lost a quiet hero.
Steve Bosley
June 24, 2013
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