In Loving Memory
of
Leo Jay Conklin
Leo Conklin, 72, of Wellington, Colorado, passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2019, at home with his family.
He was born September 12, 1946, in Fort Collins, to Bertha (Hansen) and Ernest Conklin. Leo graduated from Cache La Poudre High School in 1964, where he was a state wrestler and prom king. He attended CSU and then joined the Navy, where he was a helicopter crewman on the Apollo 7 recovery team. On December 12,1970, Leo married Cynthia Waldo, after meeting in Old Town, Fort Collins. They moved to Wheat Ridge, Colorado, where Leo worked at Coors as an electrician. In 1978, they moved back to Fort Collins and raised a daughter, Melissa, and two sons, Mark and Matt. Leo and his nephew, Robert Morgan, were co-owners of Lobo Electric for many years. He also worked at NCR and Tolmar as a maintenance electrician. In 1997, Leo and Cynthia moved to a farm in Wellington where they enjoyed growing hay and raising cattle together.
Leo was an avid gardener and reader. He loved hunting, fishing and camping with his family. He also spent a great deal of time with his best friend and brother-in-law, John Waldo, discussing the farm, fixing broken equipment and elk hunting. He often made trips around Wellington to visit his sister, Elaine, and his friends at Bomgaar's, First National Bank, and the Wellington Public Library, handing out Tootsie Rolls to all. He loved his grandchildren dearly and spent many hours working and playing with them on the farm.
Leo is survived by his beloved wife, Cynthia, his children Melissa (Joel) of Wellington, Mark, of Fort Collins, Matt (Becca) of Bennett, grandchildren, Josh, Rylee, Ryan, and Wesley, his sisters, Arlene, Myrna, Sharon (George) and Elaine (Gary), and brothers, LaVern (Connie) and Robert (Peggy). He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Leila.
The family would like to thank the many nurses, doctors and staff at UC Health and Colorado Plains Medical Center.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wellington Public Library or the Alzheimer's Association (for research on dementia-related illnesses).