Ray Linn Jukkola

1948 - 2025

Ray Linn Jukkola passed away in Wheat Ridge, Colorado on September 6, 2025 at the age of 77. He was born in Laramie, Wyoming on July 26, 1948 and moved to Boulder, Colorado shortly thereafter. Ray wore many hats--son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend. He also wore hard hats for work and helmets when skiing with his sons who snowboarded. He will be remembered for his curiosity in learning about almost everything, but especially things connected to electrical, mechanical, general "how to" and, of course, cars. He loved going to car shows with the guys. He was part of the Men's group at Crossroads Church. And Ray loved to talk.
Ray was a graduate of Fairview High School in Boulder, spending one year abroad in Finland with a friend whose father was teaching there. He then attended the University of Colorado earning a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and one in Production Management. He was registered as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota and Kansas. He was a member of IAEI, Independent Alliance of the Electrical Industry and a Life Member of IEEE, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
His first job was with Stearns Roger. He then went to work at Henderson Mine, AMAX Inc., where he met Alene, who worked as Legal Secretary for the Law Department of Climax Molybdenum Company, AMAX Inc. He worked for various engineering companies over the years: General Electric, Storage Tech, National Renewable Lab, Worley Parsons, Morroni Engineering and Exponential Engineering. People asked him if he had retired and he always said, "Not yet." Several contract projects came up after this and he was always ready to accommodate the need. Then neighbors, family, friends and his church had projects and he loved being able to help with or give advice on them. Ray actually passed away of natural causes doing what he loved...helping others on a project.
He loved watching his sons grow in their activities, music and sports. He enjoyed the years of Scouts in earning badges, camping and summer trips. He was proud of them in growing as men. He and Alene had travelled the United States and only lacked seeing seven states. A trip to Israel was a highlight for many reasons. Ray and Alene Dick were married on August 5, 1978 in Boulder, Colorado. In 1980 Ray and Alene moved to Arvada, Colorado. They had two sons, Bryce Aaron, born 1988 and Derek Austin, born 1991. After the boys were born and active, the house was not a good setup so they moved across the street to stay in the neighborhood.
He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Edwin Jukkola and his mother, Lucille Jean Jukkola. He is survived by his wife Alene and two sons, Bryce and wife, Kari and Derek and wife, Sarah with their daughter, Brooke Elizabeth. He is also survived by his sister Jean Urynowicz (husband Jim Urynowicz, deceased) and their son Travis Urynowicz and his son Lance and daughter Reagan; his brother Ed Jukkola and wife, Ellen MacKenzie and brother John Jukkola and wife, Kris.
He is loved and will be missed by family and countless friends who knew him and were part of his life. We were blessed. Ray used to come home for naps and then head out again. Ray is finally retired.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Crossroads Church, 3010 Newland Street, Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance and honor Ray's life. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to a charity of your choice or Upon the Rock, P. O Box 1007, La Veta, CO 81055. Thank you. The Jukkola Family.