October 30, 1919 ~ April 21, 2009
John F. Colclazer Sr., age 89, of Grove, Oklahoma passed away at 2:10 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, 2009 at Spring River Christian Village in Joplin, MO. following 4 years of ill health. John was born October 30, 1919 in Sperry, Oklahoma and moved to Grove from Granada Hills, California in 1995. John’s professional career was quite varied. In addition to his work as a hospital administrator and psychologist, John was chairman of Vanguard Aviation Corp. in California and owner of OK steel in Grove, Okla.
John worked with the Civilian Conservation Corp for 3 ½ years prior to joining the United States Marine Corp and serving during WW II. He was a member of the Second Division Fleet Marines. He participated in the first offensive landings against the Japanese in the South Pacific. He was wounded in action and honorably discharged in 1944. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.
John was a lifelong seeker of knowledge. He was an avid reader. Primarily, his interests included books about aviation and homebuilding. He also enjoyed a good western novel. He always enjoyed learning how to do something new and was an accomplished private pilot. John will always be remembered as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend to others.
John was formerly married to Gloria LaVerne Wilson and from this union they had two children. He married Carlotta Bobek December 23, 1967 in Hollywood, California and she survives. Additional survivors include one son, John Colclazer Jr., Rangely, Colorado, one daughter, Sue Bonds, Oakhurst, California, three sisters, Lois Stulce, Mt. Pleasant, Utah, Frances Hill, Canyonville, Oregon, and Wanda Bailey, Provo, Utah, two grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers and a great granddaughter.
Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at the Schaeffer Mortuary in Caldwell, Kansas. Burial with Military Honors will be in the Czechoslovakian Cemetery in Caldwell. A memorial has been established with the Czechoslovakian Cemetery and may be left with the mortuary. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason-Woodard Mortuary of Joplin, Mo.
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Condolences
Lottie Cash Farr
Family and Friends - 04/27/2009
Carlotta....I never had the occasion to know your husband but WOW, after reading his obituary, I wish I had. You must be very proud on your life with him and have many cherished memories. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I use to see your Mom quits often as she and my Mom were tablemates at the Senior Center. She was always so pleasant and spoke of the days when you and I were teenagers together. lol That was a day or two ago.
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Shannon Shiells
(emrgncymedtek33@gmail.com)
Family and Friends - 09/02/2012
Oh Grandpa, I miss you and Grandma so much. Its been three years since you died and Id give anything to hold you one more time. I dreamed about you last night and I remember thinking how wonderful it felt to hug you again. I wish more than anything that my dream had been real. I can't believe its been three years and then at the same time it feels so much longer. I don't really have the words to express my sorrow right now, but I want to thank you. Thank you for being my Grandfather and teaching me so much. Thank you for loving me unconditionally and being like a father to me. I'm truly sorry for being such a difficult teenager. Id give anything to have those years back again. I will never forget you. I just wish we had had more time. Until I see you again, I love
you more than words Grandpa
