John Julius Tarpley Jr.

Married to the love of his life, Jacolyn, in 1958, they were together more than 66 years. They started their family in Garden Grove, CA, then moved to Longmont, CO in 1969 to raise their 3 children - Jennifer (Frederick, CO), John A. (Edmonds, WA) and Jeff (deceased). He was a devoted husband and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was also a man of many interests and talents over the years: he was a Scoutmaster and mentor to many young people; a YMCA Indian Guides leader; a driver, supporter and cheerleader of his kids’ many years in the Longmont Swim Club and high school sports. He was an accomplished woodcarver, furniture maker and exceptional all-around DIY man around the house. He loved the outdoors and spent many days and nights camping, hiking, fly-fishing and skiing (on snow and water) in the Rockies. As a lifetime pass holder for the National Parks, he loved visiting Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) at all times of the year; and was a member of the Rocky Mountain Conservancy. A member of the Longs Peak United Methodist Church of Longmont for more than a decade, he loved to sing in the choir. He was an honorable and humble man, and a friend to many.

John was born in Los Angeles, CA on January 8, 1935, the youngest of three children of John J., Sr. and Catherine (DeHaan) Tarpley. Growing up in the Los Angeles area, attending Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA and earning a bachelor’s degree from Long Beach State College (now California State University Long Beach), and a member of Acacia Fraternity. While in CA, he served in the U.S, Naval Reserves for 8 years. His professional career as an aerospace engineer spanned 40 years. He spent 30 years with Ball Aerospace in Boulder, CO; working on many notable and rewarding projects like the later Apollo missions, Skylab, Hubble Space Telescope, Viking (a Mars lander) and many unspoken defense satellites among others. One of his memorable jobs out of college was as a summer park ranger on a remote bay on Kodiak Island, AK in the early 1960’s protecting salmon and other wildlife from poachers. He told many stories of wildlife encounters and a few with poachers too.

John is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Margorie Tarpley and Julie Tarpley Jackson, and his eldest son, Jeffrey J. Tarpley. He is survived, remembered and loved by his wife Jackie, son John and wife Susan and their daughter, Emily Tarpley (Fort Collins, CO), daughter Jennifer, and Jeff’s wife, Betsy and their children, Kendall Tarpley (Kingston, WA) and Jacob Tarpley (Anaheim, CA), and Kendall’s daughter Spencer Grace Tarpley-Walgren (Kingston, WA), nephew David Jackson (Huntington Beach, CA) and niece Carol Stanton (Fountain Valley, CA).

His presence in this world will be deeply missed. As a final wish, John requested his ashes be spread in a special meadow along Fall River Road in RNMP later this summer. The family would like to express our deepest thanks to the caring team at Trail Winds Hospice who made the last few months comfortable and enabled his last months with dignity.

If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to the Rocky Mountain Conservancy at https://rmconservancy.org/join-or-give/donate/

Cremation is entrusted to Howe Mortuary & Crematory of Longmont, Colorado.

Fond memories, condolences, experiences and pictures may be shared with the Tarpley family at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/longmont-co/john-tarpley-11635951