Obituary of John David Huntley

John David Huntley, beloved husband, incredible father, adored grandfather and friend to all, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 9th, 2015. John was born March 6th, 1940 in New Castle, CO. The last of 6 children born to Donald and Mary Edna Huntley, he graduated from Montrose High and attended the University of Colorado. John enlisted in the US Army in 1960 and served in the Army Security Agency, 280th USASA Company in Berlin until 1963, when he married Christa Gee (Schultz) and returned to the US. They settled in Boulder, CO and raised two sons, John E and Michael H, while he began a distinguished career at IBM. In the late 70's, John and his family welcomed a beautiful daughter, Jennica, to the family and moved to Tucson, AZ. In 1997, John's family grew again when he married his amazing partner, Joelle (Faulkner) and embraced her children, Erik and Kimberly Gawthorpe, as if they were his own. He retired after 40 years with IBM in 2005 but later returned to IBM as a consultant from 2011 to early 2015. In John's younger years, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing handball, cards with family and friends. He shared his love of the Rocky Mountains with his sons on numerous expeditions and experiences throughout the years. In his later years and during retirement, he and his bride Joelle enjoyed traveling America in their RV and they both shared an incredible love of their peaceful retreat in Rocky Point Mexico. John was also an avid Denver Bronco fan and rooted for his Arizona Wildcats. John is survived by his wife of 18 years, 5 children, six grandchildren - Matt Huntley, Vegas and Oceana Massie, Gabel Gawthorpe, Wyatt and Shane Elder, daughter-in-laws Diane Huntley and Jeannie Gawthorpe, son-in-law Heath Elder, siblings Pat Schnoor, Lee Bulger, Donald Huntley and his wife Marlene, as well as his stepmother Martha Huntley. John was preceded in death by parents Donald and Mary Edna Huntley, sister Phyllis Scott and beloved brother George Huntley. We were so blessed to have known him. Dad had incredible strength and integrity. He was kind, gentle, and so generous. ...in so many ways. He was the foundation of the Huntley family and will be incredibly missed by all of the people whose lives he touched. We know he's in a better place with no pain, and that will give us some comfort. It's just so hard for those of us left behind. We all love you tremendously, we will miss you and we will never forget you Dad. In lieu of flowers, tribute can be made to the Natl Kidney Foundation of AZ in the name of John D Huntley