John M. Akey

John M. Akey, 72, passed away at his home on July 17th in Colorado Springs. John is survived by his wife of 43 years, Doreen; two sons and two grandsons; Rob, his wife Molly and their sons Jack and Daniel, of Pullman, WA and Todd and his wife Michelle, of Highlands Ranch, CO. John was born on January 19, 1934 to Ellis and Lucille Akey ofWray, Colorado. John was the youngest of four brothers and one sister; Malcolm, Don (deceased), Neil, and Charlotte. John was a lifelong educator and was recognized both locally and nationally. He received his Bachelors degree from Colorado State University in 1955, his Masters from Oklahoma State University in 1961, and earned his Doctorate in Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1973. John influenced many lives as a teacher for 31 years. John taught one year in Eckley, CO, then taught in his hometown, Wray, before moving to Colorado Springs in 1961. John started out teaching at Wasson High School before moving to Mitchell High School in 1966 where he taught for 27 years, 18 of which as the planetarium director, teaching students throughout District 11. After retiring from Mitchell, John worked as the Science Consultant for the Colorado State Department of Education and spent two years as the Director of Education for the U.S. Space Foundation. John received many accolades including Distinguished Service Awards from both the Colorado Association of Science Teachers, and the National Science Teachers Association, as well as serving as President of both of those organizations. In 1983 John received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics teaching for Colorado. Over the years he became involved internationally with an exchange program for educators in Japan. He continued this relationship on through his retirement and into his final years. John had a positive effect on countless lives and loved and cherished his family more than anything in this world. It was John's wish not to have a formal ceremony. In lieu of flowers, it was John's request that donations be made to one of the following organizations: Wray First Methodist Church Scholarship Fund 500 Blake St. Wray, CO 80758 Pikes Peak Hospice 825 E. Pikes Peak, Suite 600 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903 Funeral and Cremation Care of Colorado 930 S.Hancock, Colorado Springs, CO 80903.