Chick St John

There has been a celebration of Chick St John in heaven recently, as he joined our Lord and loved ones who passed before him.  And there will be a celebration of his 91 years on earth on May 6th at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel in Lakewood.  To coin a phrase from a song, ‘Everyone has a story’…and Chick’s story began on Nov 29, 1929 in Elm Creek, Nebraska.  He moved to Kearney, NE at the age of 5 and to Ogallala, NE at the age of 7.  He moved to Denver when he was 9 years old with his sister, Sally, and his mother, Isabel.  A bit later, his mother married Dick Wilson who Chick lovingly referred to as “my dad.”  Chick loved, respected, and honored his parents for his entire life.

Chick went to University Park Elementary School in Denver, and attended Grant Jr High working as a caddy at Wellshire Golf Course in spare time. He graduated from South High School in 1947 working summers at Evergreen Golf Course.  Then, it was off to the Colorado School of Mines for a degree in engineering!  He spoke fondly and with gratitude of his time at Mines and his time as a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity where he served as the House Manager.  After graduating from Mines, Chick went to work for Texaco in Port Arthur, Texas.  Shortly after starting the job, he was commissioned/called into active duty for the US Army, as a lieutenant in the Korean war, stationed in Okinawa.  Chick was in charge of operating a pipeline to receive and dispense petroleum products.  Because the US Airforce was bombing Korea, his unit worked 24 hours/day, unloading tankers, pumping oil into the pipeline and into tanks.  He was able to make some time for golf on the sand green course in Okinawa when no tankers were present.  His parents were nice enough to ship his golf clubs to him!

Upon his return to Denver, he and Dick Wilson went into business together (Automotive Dealership, Oil Transport Calibrations, Petroleum Transport Company, and Farm Management).  Chick married and became a proud father to Susie and Tom.  He, later, divorced.  In 1965 he married the Love of His Life, Patty, and they enjoyed 56 incredibly happy years together!  The two were set up by close, mutual friends on Dec 26, 1964 and 42 days later became husband and wife.  A day did not pass that Chick didn’t make sure Patty knew how much he loved her…more than words can say.  He simply adored her!  Together, they parented Susie and Tom, skied, danced, golfed, traveled, played bridge, experienced the Broncos, the Denver Symphony & Theatre, and enjoyed special times with family and friends.

Chick took care of Susie and Tom with Proverbs 22:6 in mind:  Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.  Susie and Tom have been known to call their dad, ‘Mr. Integrity.’  He taught them the importance of family, to love, to do the right thing, to be thankful, to be kind, and to follow the rules of good character.  Had he published the Chick St John rules to live by, some of the rules might read as follows:

If you have a meeting or get invited somewhere…and the meet up time is noon…be there by 11:45…or earlier!

When playing golf, count every stroke…even whiffs! And save every one of your score cards!

Don’t spend money you don’t have…ever!  And above all, do not put it in the stock market!

If the Broncos are playing at the same time as your family x-mas gathering…well, let’s just say, “It’s a tough choice!”

When you’re going somewhere important, like skiing or to the farm, put the clothes you want to wear out the night before;
‘Plan Ahead’ is our motto!

When someone does something well, tell them…and the world!

When you love your wife, treat her like Gold!  When you love your kids, teach them everything you know!

If you want to have some great fun, drive to Nebraska and hang out on the farm with the farmers!

Farming was near and dear to Chick’s heart.  He made a career out of it and was still monitoring the farming situations and in touch with the folks he worked with up until the last week of his life.  He thought so highly of them.  In addition to his interest in farming, Chick liked to golf at Pinehurst, a club he joined in August 1960, before it opened.  You might call Pinehurst his second home.  Chick was also a huge fan of The Broncos and became a season ticket holder in 1964, attending every game except for 3 up until 2019.  Perhaps, one of those 3 might have been on a Christmas Eve.

Chick’s love for his family included his 4 grandchildren (Molly, Sarah, Tommy, Alyssa), his sister Sally and brothers-in laws, his nephew and niece (Rick, Janie and their families), his many aunts, uncles, cousins, his son-in-law, David, his daughter, his son, and his devoted wife.  His friends held a special place in his heart, as well.

Chick’s wife says, “Chick was the love of my life.  I love him so much.  I am forever grateful for every second of the 56 years we shared and the wonderful family he gave to me!”

Chick’s son says, “My dad was a great role model for taking care of those around you and caring about what is most important…family and friends!  I am always so proud when people say, ‘You are just like your dad!’”

Chick’s daughter says, “My dad led by example with high integrity and left his mark on the lives of those in his inner circle.  I will always remember the things he taught me, how he took care of me, and how much he loved me…as well as his sweet, content, positive, happy spirit.  He will be in my heart forever…and I will always remember his loving smile!”

So…as the story goes…Let the celebration begin!  Chick St John was a very special and great man!!  He is Home!

Note:  This picture was taken on Chick’s 91st birthday in his home in Lakewood, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored with a donation to Agape Hospice....or the charity of your choice.