James Ward Mollohan

Had no enemies and knew no strangers

James Ward Mollohan of Strasburg, Colorado peacefully left this earth on April 18^th 2024 in search of his next big adventure.

Jim was born in Sterling, CO on August 12th 1946 to the late Donald (Jiggs), and Florence (Dolly) Mollohan and would become the oldest brother of 12 children.

After growing up and working on the family farm, Jim completed an Ag business degree at Northeastern Jr. college in Sterling and continued on at CSU in Fort Collins, CO to earn a bachelor's degree in vocational agriculture with a teaching certificate.

He taught in Des Lacs, North Dakota, Palisade and Niwot Colorado.

Upon arriving in North Dakota for his first teaching job, Jim made an appointment to get his eyes tested at the ENT clinic in Minot where he met the love of his life Rachelle (Chelle) Newman.

Jim and Chelle Married June 17th, 1972.

After returning to Colorado in 1973, Jim and Chelle began raising a family with Brian born in 1975, and Jill born in 1979.

Jim, an avid Enduro rider, rode some of nature’s most majestic and thrilling trails.

For many years Jim worked at the airlines as a baggage handler for Texas International-Continental Airlines where he was nicknamed “ground squirrel” because “he was always so damn happy!”.

The Airlines led to other adventures allowing the family to take many memorable trips.

Jim was an experienced skier, and as a member of the fun and competitive airline ski teams he seized opportunities to ski all over the world.

In the early 1980s Jim started a handy-man business, Pro-fix, which kept him on the move when there was a pause in the play time. There wasn’t much he didn’t know how to fix.

After the airlines Jim became a manufacturers rep. Brian and Jill soon joined him and together stocked, set, and supplied various hardware stores. Working hard, always having fun, and touching many lives along the way.

In February 2011, Jim and Brian started Ruby Street brewing, manufacturing beer brewing equipment. Chelle and daughter-in-law Bobbi came on board shortly after that. Jim kept busy fabricating all the parts that go into their systems, and of course having plenty of fun along the way.

With his passion for motorcycles, Jim was always ready to get on his Harley whenever there was any opportunity to head out with his buddies for a ride.

A stroke in May of 2022 led Jim down a new road. A road that challenged him till his passing. Along the way he still persevered. He wasn’t going to miss a party, and celebrated his 50^th wedding anniversary with Chelle in June of 2022 with family and friends. Jim made it to countless family events, basketball games with the grandkids, breakfast with close friends, and even the antique motorcycle run with Brian. He could still tell you where things were in the shop, and he was always up to the challenge of sneaking cookies or peanut M&M’s.

Jim had a strong love for family and living life. Feeding the turtles, camping trips, fishing, hunting, backpacking, and windsurfing just to name a few. 

It was a rare occasion that Jim did not have a smile on his face, a willingness to visit with anyone, and was always checking in to see how everyone else was doing.

Jim is preceded in death by his brother Thomas and sister Rita Jo.

Jim is survived by: Chelle Mollohan, son Brian (Bobbi) Mollohan and daughter Jill (Chris) Dobransky - Grandchildren: Tiffany (Jared) Jaques, and Kurt (Tara) Tatro, Max, Noah, Maggie and Iris - Great grandchildren: Anna, Gavin, Lucas, and Lila - Siblings: Mary Mekelburg, Helen Utley, Tim, Bob, Sue Elm, Teresa Knutzen, Evelyn Conrad, Mike, Pat and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Jim, we all love you!

“Thanks for stopping by”