Justin Peter Eckes

Justin lights up a room with his happy go lucky personality and a contagious smile, occasionally coming off as smirky. He fills up a room with laughter, never allows someone to feel left out, and always keeps everyone in the happiest spirits.
Justin was born in Sioux City, Iowa on March 14, 1992. At the age of four years old, Justin moved to Colorado with his family where he spent most of his childhood. Early on, his parents introduced him to a hobby and lifestyle he would cherish throughout his life. Justin learned to ski at the age of five years old, beginning at Eldora. Though he loved skiing, his passion for snow sports flourished when he learned to snowboard at the age of 12. Justin spent much of his time snowboarding at Winter Park, Colorado; however, his love for the mountains brought him to Copper Mountain, Keystone, Eldora, Steamboat, and eventually a ski trip across the country to 49 Degrees North.
His love for the outdoors does not stop at winter pastimes. He enjoys spending an afternoon at the edge of a lake or river catching fish, hiking through local trails in Colorado, or even taking a drive through mountain scenery.
Justin's creative side shines through his love for art, drawing, the occasional graffiti, and his deep appreciation for the unique styles, storylines, and complexity of video games.
In addition to his outdoor hobbies, and creative lifestyle and interests, Justin played a rather solid hand at poker. He often would convince his family or friends to stop by Black Hawk, Colorado to try their own luck, or search local poker games between friends to sit back, relax, and play some cards.
Justin attended Kruse Elementary, continuing to Boltz Junior High School. He planned on attending Fort Collins High School before moving with his family to Rogers, Arkansas in 2007, where he attended and graduated from Bentonville High School.
He began his football career during junior high but found his passion for the sport in high school where he helped the Bentonville Tigers win the State Football Championship in 2008.
Justin's main sport, however, was lacrosse. When he moved to Arkansas, he banded with a few of his friends and led the charge in creating the Northwest Arkansas Knights: Arkansas' first ever high school lacrosse team. Through his knowledge and ability to coach, he helped introduce the community to the sport, and traveled with his team to Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Dallas, and many other cities playing teams across the southern states.
When Justin graduated high school in 2010, Susquehanna University, in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, recruited Justin to play Division III lacrosse.
Justin returned to Rogers, Arkansas in 2011, where he attended Northwest Arkansas Community College, exploring different courses in art, graphic design, and marketing.
Justin decided to move to Colorado in the spring of 2013 in search of new opportunities. He began work at a local liquor store, allowing him to contemplate his future goals. Through his diligence, principles, and reliability, Justin was promoted to manager. He eventually developed a love for craft beer, which, combined with his success at the local liquor store, allowed him to become a sales rep for a local brewery in Loveland, Colorado. Justin thrived in this position, visiting restaurants and bars, expanding the local brewery's business throughout Northern Colorado. Upon finishing his job at the local brewery, Justin became a regional sales representative for a beverage company, selling and supplying energy drinks to supermarkets in and around Loveland and Northern Colorado.
Justin stepped away from the sales business wondering if there was something more. Throughout his life, Justin enjoyed fixing and repairing scooters, motorcycles, and dreamt of becoming a local mechanic. He learned how to re-wire his scooter, adding new and different lights. He spent countless hours upgrading cars in his life, adding backup cameras and touch screen tablets. Eventually, Justin purchased a cheap, but struggling motorcycle to begin working on engines. Through hard work, and his own self-taught knowledge, Justin was able to get the motorcycle engine to turn over and idle, slowly making steps towards his goal as a mechanic.
Justin always had a love for animals. While planning his course for his next career, he found extra time on his hands. He started by becoming the fun "uncle" to his family dogs. Watching them, giving them one too many treats, and putting a smile on their face like he did so many others. He soon realized he could spread his love and care for animals outside of his immediate family. Justin created a Rover profile, picking up his first few clients. He soon became popular with repeat clients, training other dogs, taking them on walks, and occasionally staying over to provide superior care.
Justin is a perfect son, a perfect brother, a best man, a best friend, and forever will be the fun-loving, happy teddy bear that puts everyone else's happiness before his own.
Justin Peter Eckes leaves his parents, Pete and Kim Eckes, his siblings Cody and Jordan Eckes, his grandpa Alton Larson, his grandpa Jerome Eckes, and his aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, and friends from across this country to cherish every moment and memory of Justin they all hold so dear. Justin left this world much too early in his life at the age of 31, on June 22, 2023. He was preceded in death by his grandma Jane Larson and his grandma Mary Jane Eckes.
Justin's Celebration of Life will be held on July 23, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., at Block One Events, 428 Linden Street Fort Collins, CO 80524. There is no office on site, flowers cannot be accepted. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a foundation in Justin's honor that will be determined at a later date.