Horace Theodore Keryluk

1926 - 2015

Horace 'Grandpa Ted' Theodore Keryluk, age 88, from Longmont, CO, passed onto his next journey August 17th, 2015 with dignity and strength, just as he lived his life. He was a first generation American of Ukrainian Heritage. Ted was born in Detroit, MI, on September 14, 1926, to Tadie and Mary (Drohomeresky) Kyryluk. He is survived by his sisters, Myrtle Slaby and Elaine Austin, daughter Mary Kay Sunset (Kip), and granddaughters Jordan and Taylor Sunset. He was preceded in death by his two sons, Mark Theodore Keryluk and Steven Michael Keryluk. Ted also leaves behind a family of endearing friends at Vance Brand Airport whom he truly loved. They were his second family. Ted married Barbara Ann Hill in 1953 and moved to Boulder with his family in 1958. They were later divorced in 1976; neither remarried. He was passionate in most everything he did in life. As a young boy, he learned how to work on cars with his father and eventually began working alongside his father at Ford Motor Company. He was an avid pilot who was proud to fly for Air Life Line, volunteer pilots who fly children in need of medical transportation. He was also a Young Eagles pilot for the EAA, an association dedicated to exposing children to the flying experience. He was the Vice President for the local EAA Chapter 648 and a member of the AOPA since 1976. Ted was a WWII veteran and B29 flight engineer in the Army Air Corp where he earned a victory medal. A product design engineer, he graduated from Wayne State University and holds a number of patents for his numerous inventions. His successes in business were directly related to his passion for inventing and natural mechanical ability. Raising his family in Colorado, Ted was a passionate outdoorsman; fishing, camping, 4-wheeling, skiing and snowmobiling in his younger years. He was a volunteer firefighter for the Cherryvale Fire Department, Boy Scout leader and Little League baseball coach. In his later years, he loved to fly his plane, golf and watch his two granddaughters compete in golf tournaments throughout the state. He was their biggest supporter. A private memorial service will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery. All are welcome to join the family for a celebration of life on September 25, 2015 at 4:30pm at Vance Brand Airport, 229 Airport Road, Hanger 13, Longmont, CO. Please consider a donation in his name to TRU Community Care Hospice 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Lafayette, CO 80026. "Nothing is ever wholly lost. That which is excellent remains forever a part of this Universe." -R.W. Emerson.