Joseph Kim Neff

Joe was born on January 2, 1955 to Ira and Marie (Hess) Neff of Coatesville, Pennsylvania. He passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on August 24, 2022. Joe had the biggest heart and was one of the nicest men you would ever come across. He had the “gift of gab” that allowed him to strike up a conversation with anyone he crossed paths with. He made special life-long friendships everywhere he lived and worked.

After high school, Joe moved to Florida. He worked at Florida Sheet Metal where he ran and organized an eight man roofing crew on major commercial shopping center projects. In 1984, he moved to Colorado to work at his brother’s sign shop. He fabricated signs, supervised crews and installed signage for several commercial companies. In 1987, he met and married his loving wife Diane. Their marriage was blessed with one child: Amber who lives in Kiowa, Colorado.

In 1988, Joe started his own business as a Maintenance and Roofing subcontractor and did work for both commercial and residential clients. During the same time, he was hired as a Mechanic on the Ski Train owned by Phillip Anschuetz. The train took skiers and vacationer from Denver’s Union Station to Winter Park during the winter season. He met a lot of famous and influential people on that train and, of course, talked to them just as if he were talking to a neighbor. He was anything but shy!

In 1992, he was hired as a pipefitter for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. The railroad was bought out by Southern Pacific Lines and finally Union Pacific Corporation. In 1996, Going West Productions asked Joe to be one of two Train Mechanic/Train Safety Officers on the movie set of Switchback that starred Dennis Quaid and Danny Glover. He was so proud and excited to be part of a movie production and when he saw his name in the credits at the end of the film he about fell off the couch! He also took his wife to the movie set of Flashback, that was filming in Aurora, Colorado and met and talked to Keifer Sutherland and Dennis Hopper. Joe would talk to these major stars as if he’d known them for years.

In 2000, Joe worked as the Maintenance Foreman with the Ski Train for a short period of time; however, the Ski Train was sold to a company in Canada and was no longer viable in Colorado. With the railroad presence in Denver declining, Joe took a position as a Gas Apprentice with the Public Utilities Company; Xcel Energy. He moved up the ranks to a Journeyman Gas Pipe Fitter and worked at Xcel until his retirement in March, 2020. He always said Xcel was the best job he ever had and was so thankful for the opportunity.

Joe was so proud that he could give his “girls” Diane and Amber the ranch they always wanted. He didn’t particularly care for the chores associated with owning a ranch, but he had a special place in his heart for all the animals. He even picked out his own chicken, goat and horse that he called his own. Of course, his absolute favorite animal was Sandi; this little dog was his shadow. She definitely was the boss of him. It was sweet to watch how much effort he put into spoiling her.

Joe dreamed of traveling parts of the world and historic places. He had a big passion for antiques. If there was an Antique Store or Estate Sale happening in his travels, he was sure to stop and look around. Then he would try to figure out how he was going to “sneak” this into the house without Diane knowing! Joe enjoyed several kinds of music, the Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, History Channel, paranormal shows, old western movies, but he especially enjoyed the times he spent with family and friends. He simply adored his grandchildren; they brought him so much joy.

Joe was predeceased by his parents, three brothers: Ronald, Terry, James and one sister Joan Armarillo. He is survived by his wife Diane Neff of Kiowa, Colorado; daughter Amber (Neff) and husband Andrew Weitzel of Kiowa, Colorado; grandchildren Skylar and Joseph Weiztel of Kiowa, Colorado; sister Billye Johnson; sister Jean and Tim Harris; sister Kathy Boyer all from Pennsylvania; and multiple nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

The family and friends remember Joe as a kind, loving, caring husband, father, grandfather (Popi), who cherished his family, friends and relatives. He is our beautiful angel and will be sorely missed.

A visitation for Joseph will be held Friday, September 9, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel, 407 Jerry Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OlingerAndrews.com for the Neff family.