Arthur Christopher Denne

Arthur Christopher 'Chris' Denne, 77, died Thursday, 5/9/2019, surrounded by his beloved wife, Carol, and family. He was preceded in death by his youngest daughter, Kelli. He is survived by his children, Christopher Denne (Jenny), Freya Ross (Mike) and Kevin Jones (Jen). He was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren (Hannah, Kathryn, Jillian, Miya, Ryder & Topher) scattered from Texas to Colorado to Montana. He is also survived by his sister, Marilynn Larson (Robert) of Florida.

Chris grew up in Chicago to parents Arthur and Harriet. He studied English and pursued comedy improv, graduating from Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1965.

After graduation, he enrolled in officer training school with the United States Air Force and worked throughout the Caribbean as a radio officer before pilot training. He served in Vietnam, flying cargo and passengers in the C-130 Hercules. Tomatoes were, he reported, the most comfortable cargo to catch a short nap upon during those long missions in theater. Chris later earned a master's degree from the Naval Post Graduate School. He retired as a colonel after serving 26 years in the USAF flying and traveling throughout the world for his country.

After retirement he served as the chief of the Bonito Volunteer Fire Department near Ruidoso, New Mexico for 10 years before moving to Fort Collins.

Chris was a sharp-witted thinker, patriot, volunteer, nature lover (especially birds), fisherman, philatelist, cyclist, skier, avid reader and was fiercely loyal to his family and country. Chris was loved by those around him & will be deeply missed.