George R. Hier

Born on January 12, 1945, to Archie and Louise Hier, George was the 6th generation to attend Sedalia Elementary before moving on to Douglas County High School, which he graduated from in 1963. Although he was a good student, it became apparent that George was more interested in the social and athletic aspects of school. He competed in football, basketball, and track, setting a school record and winning State in pole vaulting. Aside from his athletic success, high school was also where George had some of his most important personal achievements: marrying his sweetheart, Joyce, in 1962.

George and Joyce went on to have two children, Bruce and Robbie. In 1969, they purchased 65 acres on George’s grandfather's ranch and built a home to raise their children on Hier Valley Road. Both Bruce and Robbie still live on the road today.

At the young age of 9, George started his first job, working with his uncle George Beeman at the Arapahoe Hunt Club on the original Highlands Ranch, where he helped with the horses and hounds during the winters and played polo in the summers. As he gained experience, George began riding with the other hunters multiple times a week and was promoted to the role of whipper-in. After a decade of service to the Hunt Club, George purchased half interest in Hier & Price Water Well Contractors in 1973, and worked with his father, Archie, to create Hier Drilling Co. When Archie retired in 1980, George took over the business, running it until his own retirement in 2008. At this point, he passed the business on to his own children (who have also since retired, leaving the business to Robbie’s son, Kevin, and a cousin, Lake; they are now 4th generation owners!).

In addition to his work as a well contractor and business owner, George was invested in his community and relevant trade organizations. He served on boards for the Douglas County Planning Commission and The First National Bank of Castle Rock, and was appointed to the Board of Directors for IREA, where he was re-elected many times over his 20 years of service. Once again following in his father’s footsteps, George also served many years on the Colorado Water Well Contractors Board, acting as President in 1973, and was appointed by Governor Lamm to the Board of Examiners for Water Well and Pump Installation Contractors.

Outside of his work, George loved to be outdoors. He spent many hunting seasons at elk camp on Mt. Evans, riding in on horseback with his cousins, Chet, Tommy, and Lane; his son and son-in-law, Bruce and Donald; and his dear friends, Terry Thompson and Dan Gammon. In years where Mt. Evans wasn’t possible, George hunted all across Douglas County, including his own backyard and open areas of Highlands Ranch. Outside of hunting season, George and Joyce spent many vacations on their boat, Hierarky, at Lake Powell. At least one week of every month from May to November, you’d find the Hiers on their boat, alongside their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

After retirement, George and Joyce spent winters in Arizona and summers in Colorado until 2013, when they moved to Arizona year-round. Here, in addition to staying involved with community affairs, George perfected his golf game, playing 4-5 times a week.

George is survived by his beloved wife, Joyce; his children, Bruce Hier and Sandi, and Robbie Person and Donald; his grandchildren, Jill Coe and Charlie, Kevin Person and Genna, Kendra Jackson and Brandon, Patrick O’Meara, and Michelle O’Meara; 10 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Jim Hier and Georgia and Mike Hier and Cathy; his sister, Toni Hier; and countless other friends and family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Louise Hier.

A viewing will be held on Monday, March 17 from 5pm to 7pm at Olinger Andrews funeral home, located at 407 Jerry St. Castle Rock, CO, 80104, with a formal celebration of life to follow on Tuesday, March 18 at 11am at Cielo at Castle Pines, located at 485 W. Happy Canyon Road, Castle Pines, CO, 80108.

Due to limited space, please carpool, if possible. Valet will be provided at Cielo for guests.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sedalia Firehouse Museum PO Box 408 Sedalia, Colorado 80135.