Donald Raymond St. John

Our Heavenly Father unexpectedly called Donald Raymond St. John, 56, to his heavenly home on September 16, 2011, much to the disbelief of his family and close friends. Don was born on January 10, 1955 in Rochester, N.Y., the fourth of five sons for Francis and Monica St. John. In January, 1971, the family moved from Rochester to Ft.Collins, when Francis was transferred by Eastman Kodak Co. Don graduated from Poudre High School in 1973 and attended Colorado State University. In 1976 Don started working for the Eastman Kodak Company in Windsor, Colo. as an electrical engineer where he has used his genius to develop software and mechanical gizmos so that the "yellow boxes could continue to go out the door." He is known for his ability to isolate problems, design solutions, and implement. Don married Carolyn Ilse Meyer on July 30, 1999. Don & Carolyn had a very special relationship; they were best friends as well as husband and wife. Don and Carolyn were inseparable in what ever they did, from working on their cabin in Red Feather, to traveling the United States in the RV, to flying in Don's powered parachute together. Carolyn introduced Don to her beliefs in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Don found a spiritual home and embraced the Church wholeheartly. Don & Carolyn were part of the fold and have many close friends in the Church. The days with Carolyn were the happiest of his life. His physical happiness with having Carolyn's love, combined with the spiritual peace and happiness, made Don a new man. He was now complete. In 1999 Don became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and served in many capacities including Primary, High Priests, Parkwood Ward Disaster Recovery Specialist, and as a Family History Consultant. Don's testimony of who we are and of Heavenly Father's Plan of Salvation and his search for those truths is unquenchable. His joy of the upcoming temple to be built in Ft.Collins will be realized and his spirit felt by those who enter. Don lived by his favorite scripture 1 Corinthians 13, and was its embodiment of love and charity. Don's passion as a HAM and received his call of WB0QGA when age18 and recently changed his call to NK0Y because his "old call was a mouthful." Don was a member of the CSU Repeater Group and the LRA Loveland Repeater Association and spent many years teaching classes, as a Volunteer Examiner tested many HAMS in Colorado, and inspired many. He is now "silent key," but many will carry on because of him. Don's compassion, generosity, ability to fix anything, somewhat unique off-the-wall humor and willingness to help others will be sorely missed in this life by his family, friends, co-workers, and the Crystal Lakes community where he fulfilled his and his wife's dream of living in the mountains. Don had suffered some health problems this spring, but everyone thought it was resolved in July, when Don received a pacemaker. Suddenly, on the early morning of September 16th, Don had another episode which was too massive for the pacemaker, EMT's & Doctors to save him from. The Lord's will be done; Don went to his heavenly rest, leaving all of us to wonder why. We all love you & miss you Don! Don is survived by his wife, Carolyn; children, Anthony St.John Angela, Christopher St.John, Paul Meyer, Jason Meyer, Taylor Meyer and Ilse Anderson Steve. Don is also survived by his parents, Francis & Monica St John, Brothers Art Gayle from Westminster, Colo., Bob Wendy from Albion, N.Y., Dave Denise from Douglas, Wyo. and Dan Rita from Ft Collins. Don has many nieces & nephews, Danielle Jeremy Weigert, Marlene, Chuck Val, Mike, Bob Dixie, Michelle, Greg Kayla and Jennifer. Don also was a Great Uncle to Sierra, Dylan, Maddie, Noah, Monica, Jeff, and soon to be born Brooklynn. Don loved them all and they miss him very much. Services will be held on Tuesday, Sept 20th at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 600 E Swallow Road, Fort Collins, at 2:00 PM. Interment following at Grandview Cemetary. Those who desire may view Don, Monday, 12-4 p.m. at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Please send cards, flowers, donations to Bohlender Funeral Chapel. If you wish to make a donation, please make it in care of the American Diabetes Associates.

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Donald Raymond St. John

January 10, 1955 - September 16, 2011