Harlan Leroy Ochs

Proverbs – 4:11-12 – “I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.”

Loving husband, father, friend, and local business and community leader, Harlan Leroy Ochs returned home to his Lord and Savior on March 30, 2025. Harlan also called “Big H” by those close to him, was dedicated to his family, friends, church, work, and community. Harlan personified those qualities exemplified by his father of honesty, industry, loyalty and sincerity. If there was a worthwhile need and he could help, he was more than willing to lend his support, get involved and be of service. He has been bringing this spirit of love and service to his family, friends, and community for over 97 years.

Born to Matilda Strecker Ochs and David Ochs, Harlan began his life’s journey in Russell, Kansas. His father, after years of manual labor, along with a partner started a Chevrolet dealership business that seeded Harlan’s love for business, service and community involvement. He recounted the many hours spent with his father working down at the shop helping fix cars or out on the sales floor helping keep it clean and watching the sales process in a budding industry. It was exciting and fun for Harlan and his brothers. It was here that his father and experience laid the foundation of his guiding principles. Unfortunately, David Ochs prematurely passed in 1945 at 48 years old and Harlan and his sister and brothers learned to be self-reliant, strong, independent and deeply supportive and loyal to each other.

Harlan throughout his life dedicated himself to supporting his family in their endeavors and improving the lives of others. He graduated from Kansas University in 1950 with a Degree in Marketing and as a KU Army ROTC 2nd Lieutenant. After graduation, Harlan worked for BF Goodrich Tires in the Kansas City division office and at their Lawrence & Russell Kansas retail stores allowing him to stay in Kansas until called to military service in March 1951 due to the Korean War.

Reporting to duty on May 1, 1951 at Ft. Lee Virginia for training, Harlan interviewed with Colonel Jack Luthi who was a former teacher and administrator at Russell High School and knew Harlan and the Ochs boys. Upon completing his initial training, Harlan was the top candidate in his training class. Subsequently, Colonel Luthi offered Harlan a choice of assignment and Harlan requested the Quarter Masters Corps, the oldest logistics branch of the Army formed in 1775. He received additional training in logistics, procurement, and purchasing systems involving the new IBM computer system. Harlan trained in Ft. Lee Virginia, Washington D.C., Philadelphia and finally at IBM’s Endicott NY office. After training, he reported to the Chicago Quarter Master Depot for service. This worked out well since the love of his life and future wife had taken a job in Chicago.

Harlan met Alice Ann Sellers, a fellow Jayhawk, in January 1950 and began their 70 years of marriage in 1953. Introduced by mutual friends, their first date was a double date at Joe’s, a speakeasy, where they drank beer, smoked cigarettes and laughed all night. (You Kids!) Asked why Harlan was attracted to Alice Ann, he said, “She had that twinkle in her eye.” Alice Ann after her graduation in 1952 moved to Chicago to begin her career as a Physical Therapist. Harlan and Alice Ann continued to date and married in 1953. They remained in the Chicago area and welcomed their daughter into the world in 1955. After his early release from active duty in February 1953, Harlan began his work with IBM in Chicago as a sales representative and later moved to Endicott New York to be a part of the IBM sales training team. According to Harlan, his plan for joining the Quarter Master Corps was working just right since he wanted to work for IBM after his service. However, this would not last long, as the call to move to Colorado Springs and join his brothers in a family business was too strong and the lifestyle too appealing. Harlan used to love to tell the story of tendering his resignation in 1957 to John R. Opel who would later become IBM’s Chairman of the Board. In addition, Harlan received an honorable discharged from the Army in 1957.

Harlan moved to Colorado Springs in late 1957 with Alice Ann and daughter Cathy, joining him in early1958 where they put down roots that would last the rest of his life. They welcomed their son into the family in 1963 and Harlan committed his life to supporting his family, building the family business, and being of service to Colorado Springs that he so dearly loved. Over the years, he became deeply involved in organizations to help lift the lives of people on a personal basis or on a community level and developing lifelong friendships.

Larry, Ken, and Don Ochs had moved to Colorado Springs and formed a partnership to open a PDQ (“Pretty Darn Quick”) carwash in 1956. The PDQ located at 529 S. Nevada Avenue was the first of its kind west of the Mississippi. Having so much fun working together and carrying on their father’s tradition of community support and entrepreneurship, they kept inviting Harlan to come and be a part of their venture. They finally prevailed and Harlan and family moved to Colorado Springs to join them. With Harlan’s arrival in 1958, it became clear that the carwash business was too small to support four families.

In 1959, the Ochs Brothers formed Acorn Petroleum and acquired a small gasoline distributorship. The Ochs Family continues to run Acorn Petroleum that has grown to one of the largest fuel and lubricant distributorships in southern Colorado. This was the beginning of decades of business and civic ventures that included the Ochs Brother’s Hereford Cattle Ranch and the acquisition and restoration of the D&RG Railroad Old Depot train station in Colorado Springs.

Harlan’s loyalty and commitment to his family, friends, church and community was deep and enduring. All of his relationships and involvements whether personal, business, charitable, or civic are counted in multiple decades of commitment and not years or months. He enjoyed working with, mentoring, supporting and helping people and organizations to create a happy and prosperous life for themselves and Colorado Springs as a whole.

Harlan truly felt Colorado was God’s country and Colorado Springs the best place to live not by chance but the result of the vision of General Palmer and the hard work and commitment of its citizens and leaders. He felt it important to honor and preserve the past and to always strive and build a better future. His father told his sons, “Boys, until you learn to do it right, keep trying!” We will do the same and we can always do better. We will keep trying!

Involvements – Husband (70 years), First United Methodist Church (various committees and member 66 years), Acorn Petroleum Inc. (Co-founder, President, 66 years), Rotary Club (former President and member 66 years), Pikes Peak Range Riders (former President, Director, and member 57 years and 40 rides), Fort Carson Good Neighbor (32 years), Boys Scouts of America, Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, Reach Your Peak – UCCS, Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum, Colorado Springs Fine Art Center, Colorado Springs Public Schools-District 11 (Board of Education & President), Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, Kansas University Alumni, Kappa Sigma Fraternity – Gamma Omicron, U.S Olympic and Paralympic Museum, and many more that have been lost to time.

Harlan was preceded in death by his wife Alice Ann S. Ochs, parents David Ochs and Matilda Reed, sister and brother-in-law Ruth and Don Wolfe, brothers and sister-in-laws Larry and Marty & Jean Ochs, Ken and Dee Ochs, Don and Shirley Ochs. He is survived by his daughter, Catherine L. Ochs and her partner Marge Perry, son, Charles L. Ochs and his wife Jeanine Ochs, and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to join us for a visitation at Swan Law Funeral Home April 15, 2025 from 5:30 to 8:00 pm. Funeral services open to all to be held at the First United Methodist Church located at 420 N. Nevada Avenue on April 16, 2025 at 11:00 am. Live streaming is available at www.fumc-cs.org/streaming (then click on memorial services). Instead of flowers, Harlan would love donations directed to the First United Methodist Church, the Pioneer Museum Heritage Trust, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, or Reach Your Peak Scholarship Fund – UCCS or the Pikes Peak Area Rotary Endowment.