Jack Dale Boutwell, 91

Jack Dale Boutwell was born in Monte Vista, Colorado in 1925 to Parke and Lucile (Cunningham) Boutwell. He grew up in Monte Vista and spent much of his childhood enjoying the outdoors skiing, camping, hunting and trapping.

In August 1944, he enlisted in the US Navy, and was first sent to Camp Farragut, Idaho for basic training. He was assigned to a sea plane tender, the USS Cumberland Sound. He served on this ship in the South Pacific for the duration of the war. The Cumberland Sound was one of the first ships into Tokyo Harbor, and helped clear the harbor of mines for the surrender and occupation of Japan.

After the war he returned to Monte Vista. He worked for a few years in Albuquerque for a sign painter, then started up his own business, ABC Sign Service in Monte Vista, which he ran as a side business until the late 1980s. He was a draftsman for the Bureau of Reclamation in the early 1950s, then in 1956 was hired, again as a draftsman at the Rural Electric Association. He later moved into management, and continued working there until his retirement in 1986.

Jack was married twice. The first marriage was to Vera Towns, and they had two children, Barbara and John. They divorced and he married Pearle Case in 1955. He and Pearle had two children, Juanita and Jay. Pearle died in 1979.   Charlotte Sheely became Jack’s companion in the early 1980s after the death of her husband.

Jack loved being outside and spent many hours hunting, fishing and hiking. He and wife Pearle built a cabin between Creede and Lake City where they spent many weekends and vacations. He also liked to travel and after his retirement, he and friend Charlotte Sheely took many trips both abroad and within the United States. He also loved to swim and dance. Jack and Charlotte often attended dances around the valley.

Jack died on September 21, 2017 in the hospital in Del Norte. Preceding him in death were his parents, Parke and Lucile, wife Pearle, brother Sam Boutwell, and his dog, Arbie. He is survived by children Barbara (Jerry) Harris of Delta, John (Jana) Boutwell of Arvada, Juanita Boutwell of Montrose and Jay Boutwell of Espanola, NM as well as a sister, JoAnn Titmarsh of Ozark, MO and companion Charlotte Sheely of Alamosa, three grandchildren, Rachael Rhode, Vince Boutwell and Jackie Boutwell, a great grandson, Malaki Rhode, and several nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service will be held. Friends wishing to visit with the family are invited to come by the house at 8 Dennis Street from 1-3 pm on June 9, 2018.