Eldon Leroy Johns

Jan. 23, 1937 — Sept. 17, 2009

MONTROSE — Eldon Johns, 72, passed away at his home in Montrose after a long and valiant battle with prostate cancer.

Eldon was born Jan. 23, 1937 to Joe M. and Josephine (Sostak) Johns in Klamath Falls, Ore. He grew up in Malin, Ore. He studied Agricultural Engineering at Oregon State and Washington State Universities, earning bachelors and masters degrees. After a distinguished 30-year career with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, he retired in 1994.

Eldon’s interests included hiking, camping and fishing. His love for the outdoors led him to visit many U.S. National Parks and he volunteered several summers with the U.S. Forest Service and B.L.M. With his sons he shared an interest in classic Chevrolet cars and belonged to a local classic car club. He especially enjoyed the time he and his wife Molly spent on the Oregon Coast. 

Eldon is survived by his wife of 47 years, Molly Bess (Atchison) whom he married in 1962 in Aurora, Ore. He is also survived by his four sons: Bryan and wife Elena and granddaughter Emmeline of Seattle, Wash.; Douglas and wife Marti and grandsons Andrew and Travis of Albuquerque, N.M.; Roger of Hillsboro, Ore.; and Corey of Montrose, Colo.

At his request, no public memorial service will be held. He will be laid to rest at Grand View Cemetery in Montrose in a private ceremony. A celebration of Eldon’s life will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado on Eldon’s behalf.

To family and friends Eldon will affectionately remembered as the “Old Curmudgeon” and will be missed by his wife, four “honyocks” and two furry four-legged children, Sammy and Leo. Eldon will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.