Emery L. Stora

Emery Lester Stora (81) of Frederick, Colorado, died peacefully on September 9, 2024. He was the son of the late Emery Francis and Juanita Marie (nee Bush) and the much-loved stepson of the late Howard Cowles. For fifty-six years, he was the loving husband of Michelle (nee Olive-Perrot).

He is also survived by his children Tracey (Tom) Arnold, Teri Stora (Lee Heyboer) , Michael (Cheryle) Stora, Michelle (Tom) Grassia, his grandchildren, Kathleen (Ty) Gonzalez, Bobbie Rose, Abigail Stora, Thomas, Sean, Sophia, and Lilian Grassia, and great-granddaughter Zoey Gonzalez, and his sister Diane (Timothy) Butler. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Constance Swartout and brother-in-law Robert Swartout.

As a youth, he was involved in Scouting, where he developed a love for camping and the outdoors and earned the rank of Life Scout. As a Scout leader, he passed that love to a new generation.

Emery graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Chemical Engineering. When not studying, he enjoyed spending time with his brothers in the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He later attained a master's degree in finance from Dartmouth College. After twenty years with the Dow Chemical Company in Michigan, Emery worked as an investment banker in San Francisco. Upon retiring from finance, he owned and operated Brother Sun, a windows and doors business with his wife in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Emery's dedication to service was evident in his time as a parishioner of St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church in Longmont. He served as a Past Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Council 1313 and a Past Faithful Navigator of Assembly 94. His post-retirement life was marked by his commitment to the church and community.

One of his greatest joys was embarking on adventures across the continental United States with his family in their trusty 1977 GMC Kingsley. We were never sure which he cherished more: traveling in it or fixing it. He explored all forty-eight states in his motorhome and was always ready to assist fellow members of GMC Motorhomes International facing mechanical issues. He also visited Alaska and Hawaii.

Emery's curiosity and love for history led him to travel internationally, both for work and personal enjoyment. As an enthusiastic genealogist, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by visiting Slovakia to connect with his extended family.

Emery's loss means many home improvement and repair projects will go undone. Eventually, someone else will complete them. However, what will never be repaired is the hole in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.