Johnnie Arolige Follis

John Arolige Follis was born on January 15th 1930 in Big Springs Texas. He was one of eight brothers and one sister. His family were ranchers and farmers during the Great Depression. They trained draft mules and horses for other farmers, raised cotton, pinto beans, hogs and lived in a small cabin in Loraine TX. John made it to the 10th grade and then had to work. He learned and worked in all trades. He desired to be in the Navy but a disability of his hand denied him. He respected all of his brothers and friends who went to war. In the fifties, John traveled with a huge ranch outfit to Lamar Colorado where he managed the ranch and crop dusted the fields. He then made his way to the mountains and loved them so much he stayed. John married Carolyn Sue Dawson of Manitou Springs, in 1953 and gained a brother-in-law, Bill Dawson. He continued to work on ranches in the Black Forest area and started his own Appaloosa breeding program.

Two children were born thereafter. Jim Follis and Jennifer Follis-Hahn. His brother-in-law convinced him to move to Woodland Park to help with a newly established Church of Christ. On March 12, 1969 John was baptized into the Lord's church and remained a Deacon for 40 years.

Working as a union painter, John painted much of the commercial buildings, schools, and military bases in Colorado Springs. On the side, he was a strongly desired gardener at the Broadmoor area and along Wood Avenue. His gardens and homes, and businesses were meticulously manicured.

After suffering a heart problem, coming down the mountain was necessary so he bought a motel in Green Mountain Falls and had success there until his retirement. During retirement he moved to eastern Colorado to work with his son in Simla, Colorado and found many odd jobs. John took along his grandchildren and taught them a strong work ethic and character becoming to others. John was very well liked by the community. Once while hospitalized, he received cards from the local football team, the bank tellers, the auction barn staff, his congregation and 19 neighbors.

Camping, Fishing, Football, Horsemanship, Cars, Artwork, and Music were the things he liked most. He traversed much of the Colorado Rockies, owned at least 100 different cars and repaired them himself.

John and Carolyn were married 53 years before Carolyn passed on in 2006. Their two children gave them 6 grandchildren each, and so far 14 great grandchildren. John loved all of his extended family as well. He would help anyone who asked him.

In the last 16 years of his life he lived with his daughter of Calhan, Colorado where he could keep a horse and some cows and continue to be as independent as possible.

On September 20th 2021 John passed on in a Hospice room at Penrose Main after a risky but necessary surgery.

A graveside service for Johnnie will be held Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Calhan Cemetery, Hahn and 24th St, Calhan, CO 80808.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Swan-Law.com for the FOLLIS family.