John William Laitinen

John W. Laitinen, 81, of Castle Rock Colorado passed away unexpectedly January 4, 2023 at home. He was born November 22, 1941 in Milwaukee Wisconsin to Thelma and William Laitinen. In 1964, when John was 23, he was drafted into the US Army and served 3 tours of duty in Vietnam. While in the army he served in a Special Forces unit and received numerous commendations as an expert rifleman. During his third tour he was badly wounded and eventually evacuated back to the US where he was honorably discharged. As a teenager he worked on the Nebbish Island Ferry for his uncles who also taught him welding, well drilling and lumberjacking. His family moved to Milwaukee where his dad owned a speed shop and John started his love of all things automotive related including auto racing. He later started his own customer car repair, restoration, fabrication and auto painting business in Colorado Springs. He loved photography and after moving to Oregon John added to that, crabbing in the ocean and hunting.

John was friendly and outgoing. He never met a stranger. Everyone got a smile, probably a hug and became a friend in 5 minutes. He loved to talk and tell tales, some taller than others. He was a big gentle giant, a huge teddy bear of a man with a devilish twinkle in his eye.

In 1964 he married Janice Ann Nelson and they have 3 children together; Laura Lynn, Thomas John and Scott David. As his children grew up and left home John’s life took some twists and turns. He found himself moving to Oregon for six years to care for his elderly mother so she could spend the last years of her life living at home happy and peaceful. During the first year in Oregon John had to travel back to Colorado to tie up loose ends and during one of those early trips he bumped into an old and dear friend, Debbie. With many years of friendship to build a solid foundation on, sparks started flying. They were both pretty stubborn about what was happening but in the end love won out and John married again.

John is survived by his wife Deborah Emerick of Castle Rock, his children Laura, Tom, Scott and Scott’s wife Samantha, his stepdaughter Heather, 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grand child. He is also survived by 3 brothers; Lee, Jim and Raymond (Sonya) as well as 3 sisters; Lora, Jean and Judy. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Lynn.

Olinger, Andrews, Caldwell Gibson Funeral Home of Castle is handling arrangements and in following John’s wishes he will be cremated and his ashes taken to Nebbish Island Michigan where a family celebration of life will be held in late spring or early summer. Details will be announced later. Friends and family wishing to honor John’s memory are invited to make a donation in his name to:

The American Heart Association, hhtps://www.heart.org. Click on Honor a loved one/Give in honor or in memory or mail a donation to American Heart Association PO Box 840692, Dallas TX 75284-0692. (Tax deductible)

Alzheimer’s Association, https://act.alz,org, Click on In memory of or mail a donation to Home Office 225 N Michigan Ave Floor 17, Chicago IL 60601 (tax deductible)

Spaulding Foundation Inc., 1074 Sulfur Springs Rd, Owego NY 13827( To provide monetary support for drivers, crewmen and officials who have sustained injuries in race related accidents at NASCAR licensed tracks throughout the US)(tax deductible)

John was a big man with a big personality, a heart of gold and just a touch of the dickens in him. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.