John Douglas Borman, Jr.

John Douglas Borman Jr. of Fort Collins passed away Friday January 6, 2023 in his home at the age of 85. His family and friends had the gift of being able to say goodbye to him as he came to the end of his long and adventurous life.

John was the eldest son of Doug and Bessie Borman of Gordon, Nebraska. His childhood and young adult life were spent adventuring outdoors and working for his father as a ranch hand and bill collector. John honed his personal skills by stepping up and doing the grunt work as the youngest cowhand (and taking on the half-wild horses they gave him) and by finding respectful solutions to financial struggles faced by the Lakota Sioux people who owed money on the automobiles they purchased from his father. These skills carried through the rest of his life.

John studied business at Creighton University, graduating in 1959. While in Omaha, John met the tall and charming woman who would become his life long partner. Mary Sweetman and John married January 21st, 1961. They moved back to Gordon Nebraska and began their lives as parents to three children, John Richard (Rick), Mary Ann, and Joan Marie (Joanie).
In 1977, John moved his family to Fort Collins, Colorado where he had opened yet another of the many NAPA Auto Parts stores he owned and operated. Civic responsibility and Christian responsibility were important to him, so he quickly became an active member of the Fort Collins community sitting on a variety of boards and helping to establish The Mission (a shelter facility for people facing hardships) and CARE Housing (affordable housing communities). He spent many years on the board and as the chairman of Home Federal Bank, now KeyBank. Mentoring young entrepreneurs was another way John gave back to his community. As shared by one of these men, "John believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself."

When not working, John devoted time to his family, friends, and sports, often bringing all three together in one event. He included his children and grandchildren in chasing the game—flying to various Final Four March Madness basketball games and Creighton Bluejay events. He was especially fond of Nebraska football, the Broncos, Creighton basketball, and all sports CSU.

John's children remember him as a man who was always busy. He wanted to do it all. He spent time traveling, hunting, fishing, scuba diving, skiing, golfing, bike riding, playing racquet sports, and taking pictures. He also loved including others in his fun. He and Mary hosted many of their kids' college friends, giving them the experience of skiing in Colorado, and summertime lake adventures. One hobby John especially enjoyed with his grandchildren was teaching them to fish up at Red Feather lakes.

John was preceded in death by his wife Mary. He is survived by son Rick, his wife Pamela, and children, Scott and Alli; daughter Mary Ann, her husband Greg Ellis, and children Joe (wife Hannah) and great granddaughter Emma and Maddie (husband Thad Titze); and daughter Joanie, her husband Jim Olson and children Sam (wife Meredith) and Emily.

If you knew John, you remember what a storyteller he was. You also know he loved spending time with you and was skilled at making you feel comfortable, valued, and he listened well. So as John would say, "I'm fine, but more importantly, how are you?" Please join his family in remembering the remarkable man he was. There will be a rosary at 7:00 pm Friday, January 13th at Bohlender Chapel with time to share stories afterwards. The rosary will be live streamed here on John's obituary page. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, January 14th at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church. The mass will be live streamed at youtube.com/c/SaintJosephCatholicChurchFC.

If you are unable to attend either of these services, please raise a scotch on the rocks (pour the good stuff) in his memory. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to CARE Housing in Fort Collins.