John W Courtney

John Wray Courtney was born on May 19, 1928 in Wray, Colorado to Elmer Wray and Gussie (Harp) Courtney. John passed away peacefully in his own home on June 1, 2012, with his beloved wife of 63 years by his side and next door to his birthplace. He was a lifelong resident of Wray.

John’s life was focused on family. He was a devoted son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. When not working, he preferred family time to outside social activities.

Beginning as an elementary schooler, John was industrious in finding ways to help provide for his family, including digging and selling fish worms, collecting glass jugs, raising rabbits, and setting duck pins at the bowling alley. He worked through high school at ABC Cleaners, learning the dry cleaning trade. John earned his diploma with the Class of 1946 through the Yuma County High School in Wray. He enlisted in the Marine Air Corps immediately following graduation, honoring a request by his father to finish high school. He was stationed in San Diego, California until his honorable discharge in 1947. Because the war was over, he was unable to fulfill his dream of becoming a pilot or serving overseas. John later joined the National Guard here in Wray and just missed being called to the Korean War.

John returned to Wray and resumed his employment with ABC Cleaners, which had been relocated to a new Quonset building on Grant Street. John married Mary Jacobson on February 20, 1949 in the old Methodist Church that burned down later that same year. John and Mary were blessed with four children, Joy Rae, Lea Ann, Mark Everett, and Julie Kay. From 1951 to 1953 John worked as bookkeeper and salesman for Massey Harris Implement Company and also did books for John’s 66 Service Station. In 1954, John began a 35-year career with the City of Wray. He began as deputy city clerk in the old City Hall on the corner of 3rd and Adams. In his tenure with the City, he also served as City Clerk, City Manager, and Director of Health and Safety. He was a dedicated civil servant and felt privileged to play a role in multiple City improvement projects, including street paving with curb and gutter, development of seven flood control dams, Stalker Lake Dam, building the new “Roundhouse” City Hall, the industrial park, the hospital on Birch Street, water storage tanks and supply wells, the new library, swimming pool, and the lighted tower Christmas Tree. In addition, he served the Wray Community in volunteer efforts, including Red Cross Liaison for Servicemen, Emergency Medical Technician, Volunteer Fireman, and Emergency Ambulance Service.

John held great pride in being a Marine, a volunteer fireman, and the first EMT in Wray. He was also extremely proud that all four of his children earned college degrees.

Preceding John in death were his youngest daughter, Julie Kay Courtney; his parents; his older brother, Everett; his sisters, Helen (Harold) Cook and Leora (Pete) Thompson; brother-in-law, John Jacobson; nephew, Lyle Jacobson and niece, Barbara Moss.

Those left to mourn his passing include his wife Mary; his children, Joy Rae (Doug) Brophy, Lea Ann (Pete) Sullivan, Mark Everett (Shari) Courtney and daughter-in-love, Cynthia Mitchell; grandchildren, Erin (Joel) Palmer, Daniel (Becky) Brophy, Curtis (Kadra) Brophy, Lily and Patrick Sullivan and Matt and Andrea Courtney; great-grandchild, Jace Palmer; sister-in-law, Wanda Jacobson; dedicated care giver, Carol White and nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Monday, June 4, 2012 at the First Christian Church at 2:00 p.m. in Wray, Colorado with Rev. Steve Wynkoop officiating. Memorials may be made to the John W. Courtney Memorial Fund for the City of Wray. Interment will be in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home in Wray was in charge of arrangements.