Gary Joseph

1931 - 2024

Gary Joseph
Gary Kyle Joseph passed away on February 5, 2024, in Lafayette, Colorado after a full and joyous life. He was born in Lamar, Colorado to Celta and O.K. Joseph on August 1, 1931. He moved to Boulder in 1942 and lived on Mapleton Avenue. He attended University Hill Elementary, Casey Junior High and Boulder High School, where he was one of the first athletes to participate and letter in two different sports at the same time, pitching for the baseball team as well as playing tennis. The tennis team was ranked second in the state.
He met his future wife, Jeri April Edwards, at the University of Colorado, where he received his B.S. and M.B.A degrees. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. They were married on September 5, 1953, in Hinsdale, Illinois. Gary and Jeri were married for nearly 70 years!
Gary served two years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict as a Lieutenant Junior Grade on a destroyer escort in the South Pacific. He then worked for the Dow Chemical Company for 28 ½ years, serving in various executive positions around the country, including Midland, Michigan, Cincinnati, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana. After taking early retirement in 1986, he and Jeri returned to Colorado where he was named the executive director of the Jimmie Heuga Center in Avon for two years until leaving to join the Shamrock Foods Company in Denver, where he worked for 18 years until his retirement in 2006.
Gary was a dedicated family man, lavishing his wife, children and grandchildren with love and unconditional support. He always welcomed opportunities to spend time with his family, including attending sporting events and playing racquet sports. Gary and Jeri also treated the family to many vacations, including trips to Hawaii, Florida, New York City and Las Vegas.
Gary's late-in-life passion was racquetball, where he was an accomplished player, winning the state senior championship in both singles and doubles numerous times. In 2001 he and his playing partner, Jerry Webb, also won the silver medal in racquetball doubles at the World Senior Games in St. George, Utah.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Tammy Joseph of Erie, Colorado and a daughter and son-in-law, Kimberly and Steven Lyth of Holt, Michigan. In addition, they have four grandchildren, Brittany (Becky Orr) Joseph of Loveland, Colorado, Chelsey (Darren Carter) Joseph of Erie, Colorado, Matthew Lyth of Holt, Michigan and Benjamin (Jennie Spiegel) Lyth of Stamford, Connecticut, and one great-grandchild, Nova Joseph-Orr of Loveland, Colorado. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, Betsy Edwards of Wheaton, Illinois and her children, Jeffrey (Laura) Edwards of Lombard, Illinois and their children Owen and Katie Edwards, Chris (Karen) Edwards of Carol Stream, Illinois and their children, Lauden, Caden and Keagan Edwards, and Zoe (Brendan Johnson) Edwards of Westminster, Colorado. Gary is also survived by nephews Larry (Emmary) Carlson of Redding, Connecticut, Gregg (Audrey Alenson) Carlson of Harvard, Massachusetts and their children Samuel and Grace Carlson, and two nieces, Nancy Bobrek of Bangor, Maine and Christine Carlson of Passadumkeag, Maine. He was predeceased by his wife, Jeri, on March 9, 2023, sister, Rubydonna (Jo) Carlson of Wilton, Connecticut, brothers-in-law, Bruce Carlson of Wilton, Connecticut, Jeffrey Kent Edwards of Wheaton, Illinois and sister-in-law, Kathleen Wherity Edwards of Lombard, Illinois.
We are forever grateful for the outstanding employees and caregivers at the Peaks at Old Laramie Trail in Lafayette. They were all loving and caring, making Gary's life very enriched. So many staff members at the Peaks contributed to Gary's happiness and long life! Alyssia, Amber, Araceli, Betty, Chelsea, Delek, Diana, Domna, Eris, Fatma, Gary, Geraldine, Gitma, Hilda, Jeanne, Jocelin, Kali, Kim, Maria, Mia, Misty, Mitzhi, Nicole, Pal, Rowan, Sarah, Sheila, Sharmila and Valerie are all so special! What a fantastic facility and staff! Fatma was especially compassionate, attentive, and loved by all our family!
Gary lived a full life! He had a tremendous sense of humor, felt good about himself, and enjoyed his many friends. He was kind, patient and unassuming, never up or down, but always with a ready smile for everyone. Gary was also the ultimate prankster, giving us countless stories to share with future generations.
A private family graveside service will be held.