Lessie (Les) Cliff Love, 70, passed away after a long illness on March 9th, in Aurora, CO. Les was born January 4, 1956, to LC Love and Emma Tanner, in Winona, MS. Les grew up in Colorado Springs, CO and attended Mitchell High School class of 1974. Les loved sports and participated in track, football and basketball both in junior high and high school.

On December 9th, 1976, Les married the love of his life, Joanna Richardson at Peterson AFB, CO and then moved to San Antonio, TX where their son Clifton was born. Later, the family moved back to Colorado Springs, CO where our second son, Carlton was born.

Les was in the culinary field starting as a chef at the Sunbird Restaurant. He started working for Mariott Sodexo and was transferred to Aurora, CO and worked for over 35 years as a unit chef. Les retired in 2020,

Surviving family: Joanna, his wife of 50 years, his son Carlton, his grandson, Brayden, sister, Maxine, sister-in-law, Tracey, niece, Chantell, daughter-in-law, Alica. Les was preceded in death by his parents and son Clifton. He was adored by our dog, Gracie.

Les was a car enthusiast and went to many car shows and owned a 1979 Firebird that he loved to drive. He also was an avid football and basketball fan for both college and professional teams with the Broncos being his number one team. Music was his other love from going to concerts to listening to his vast collection of albums and CDs from many different music genres.

Les was a devoted and loving husband, father, family member and friend. Those who knew Les remember him, for his smile, strong work ethic, wisdom, sense of humor and charismatic personality. Les will be deeply and truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

“Legacy is not leaving something behind for other people. It’s leaving something IN people”