Richard Stellers

Richard Martin Stellers, 79, of Lakewood Colorado, passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2015 in his home. Over the past 6 months Richard was boldly engaged in a fight against lung cancer and holding his own but a sucker punch from his heart took him out of the ring.

Born on February 14, 1936, in Chicago Illinois, Richard was the second son of George and Estelle Stellers though he never knew his elder brother who died in infancy before Richard was born. He also missed the opportunity of knowing his father, who died of heart failure when Richard was a baby. Left with the task of raising Richard alone, his mother relied on the support and influence of a close knit family of cousins, aunts and uncles there in the "old neighborhood" of Chicago. Sometime after graduation, Richard joined the army and served for a year in Korea. Upon his return home to Chicago, he was honorably discharged from the service and went on to pursue a career in finance. While working in Chicago he met and married his wife Nadia and they began their family.

In 1974 the bank that Richard worked for sent him on a business trip to Golden Colorado. One evening, while listening to the trickling waters of Clear Creek from his hotel window, Richard realized that Golden Colorado was "home" and later that year he moved his family out west. The ambitious and opportunistic young Richard started his own company in debt collection which thrived for many years. After more than 20 years as a successful business owner, Richard retired and moved to Lakewood Colorado where he shifted gears and added a new position to his resume as duty of a grandfather.

"Grandpa Stellers" took an active role in the lives of his children and grandchildren seeing to it that they were cognizant of facts pertaining to political and historical events. On his self-appointed mission he hoped to instill a desire in them to quest for knowledge rather than submitting to the passive absorption of misinformation. He loved golf and played for the majority of his years, recently passing his knowledge and love of the game on to his grandson's Brandon and Aaron. He was a baseball aficionado and lifelong fan of the Chicago White Socks. His passion for baseball was also passed on to his grandson's as he coached them in little league for many years.

Though confronted with many challenges in life, he had a buoyant personality and didn't let life's troubles sink him. He was patriotic, judicious, and witty and was loved by many though none as much as his adoring family who will miss him immensely.

Richard is survived by his wife, daughters Denise and Lori, son-in-law Robert, son Roger daughter-in-law Megan and 5 loving grandchildren all of whom were fortunate enough to be together and support Richard as he continued on his journey.

Services will be a Military Funeral Honors Ceremony at Fort Logan National Cemetery located at 4400 W. Kenyon Ave. Denver, CO 80236 on Friday January 8, 2016 at 12:15 followed by luncheon at the Lakewood Elks Lodge.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made at any Wells Fargo Bank to "The Richard Stellers Memorial Fund". All donations will contribute to a memorial plaque which will be placed at the Mt Soledad National Veterans Memorial in La Jolla California in Richards honor. For information on the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial please follow this link. http://www.soledadmemorial.com/