John H. Jepkema

John Herman Jepkema passed away March 27, 2023, in Craig, Colorado. John was 94 years old. John was born June 8, 1928 in Kalamazoo Michigan to Gerb and Florabelle Jepkema. John married the love of his life, Audrey May Brown, on March 9, 1951. John graduated from Western State College in Kalamazoo with a degree in mathematics, then was drafted into the Army, where he served on active duty from October 1950 through September 1951. Upon his honorable discharge at the rank of Corporal, John began his long career as an educator. John taught in Michigan, then relocated to Craig Colorado in 1963, where he spent 25 years teaching math for the Moffat County High School. John retired in 1988 but continued his relationship with students and youth in Moffat County, offering tutoring services and an undiminished passion for high school sports, particularly girls’ basketball and volleyball. John traveled across Colorado to attend games and provide fan support for the teams. John was a firearms enthusiast, competing at local, state and national matches in a variety of shooting disciplines. John was a life member of the NRA and taught firearms safety, proficiency, and maintenance. John was a staunch supporter of law enforcement and spent over 30 years as a member of the Moffat County Sheriff’s Posse, specializing in search and rescue and law enforcement operations. John was an avid fisherman, hiker and backpacker. John gained recognition from the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest hiker, at age 91, to cross the Grand Canyon from rim to rim. John was most proud of that accomplishment although he had crossed the Grand Canyon on multiple occasions previously. John was preceded in death by his parents, wife Audrey and sister Jane. John is survived by his three children, Laurel DeVries, Juliana Mower and John David Jepkema. John will be interred following a private family event at the Veterans Memorial section of the Craig Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held on June 5, 2023 at the Moffat County Fairgrounds Pavilion in Craig, beginning at 11:00 AM with a reception following at 12:30. Members of the public are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Moffat County High School Girls’ Athletic Department in John’s memory.