John Bartos

Lieutenant Colonel (retired) John E. Bartos, United States Air Force, passed away at his home in Golden, CO on February 1, 2022. He is survived by his beloved wife, Karen Andrea, daughter Julie Louise Bartos, sister Elsie Susan (Bartos) Ruzek and granddaughters Katja Zuzana and Anjali (JuJu) JunHua Behrens. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister Alyce Mary (Bartos) Bryant. He is a hero for his service to his country, commitment to his family and his principles of honesty, integrity, and doing things the “right way.” Born 12 August 1936 in Blue Island, Illinois, John was the son of John (Jan) and Zuzana (Plichta) Bartos, who immigrated from Czechoslovakia in the 1920's.  A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he served 24 years as a navigator and computer technology officer. He earned the Distinguished Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal and several other commendations.

John received his bachelor’s degree (BS in Accounting) from Bradley University and Master’s degrees from the University of Northern Colorado (MS in Systems Management) and Webster University (MA in Procurement Management). While a student at Bradley he served as the school’s business manager for the weekly student newspaper and annual yearbook. When he needed secretarial billing support, he sought student help and ultimately made one of his best “hires” ever with Karen Ausbrook. Their marriage, which followed on 27 December 1958, with Karen age 19 and John age 22, lasted for more than 63 years.

A Distinguished Military Student/ROTC at Bradley University, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the USAF in 1958. In June 1959 he was awarded Air Force Navigator wings and graduated from the Air War College, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and the Squadron Officers’ School. After domestic and overseas assignments, he was selected to serve at US Air Force Headquarters in the Pentagon, in charge of computer operations at the Air Force Data Services Center. After 6 years, he was transferred to the United States Air Force Academy where he was Director of Data Automation and subsequently awarded the coveted position of Command ADP Single Manager. A member of the Academy’s cadet sponsorship program, he and his family developed and maintained ongoing relationships with several cadets who all became Air Force officers. He subsequently transferred to the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) where he was project manager for critical computer upgrades to the Missile Warning & Space Surveillance systems at the Cheyenne Mountain national defense complex. He served there until retirement in 1982. After his military career, he was employed at McDonnell Douglas-Inco where he rose to the position of Director, Western Operations. Later, he became a Director and Program Manager for Affiliated Computer Services until 2001.

A resident of Colorado Springs from 1975 to 2006, he and Karen relocated to Golden to be closer to daughter Julie and her family. In subsequent years he pursued his hobbies of horology and genealogy. Elected a Fellow by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, he pursued his interests in antique timepieces. His leadership of historic timepieces resulted in completed restoration projects including the Colorado Springs Pioneer’s Museum Street and Tower clocks, the Manitou Springs “Town Clock”, the City of Golden downtown street clock and the Colorado College Shove Memorial Chapel Tower Clock. He and Karen also donated a restored McClintock bank clock to the Pikes Peak Historical Street Railway Museum. A dedicated family historian, he published the ancestry of himself (Slovak) and his wife (Scottish/Irish dating back 800 years). A Master Mason, member and treasurer of Golden City Lodge #1, a 32nd degree member of the Denver Consistory, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, he was one who fulfilled their credo of “making a good man better.” In 2019 his Lodge presented him with an Honorary Past Master award. John was also a founding member of Region #13 (Scottish American Military Society’s) Mountain chapter in Colorado Springs.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 7th at 9:30 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 17701 W. 16th Avenue in Golden followed by burial, with full military honors and Masonic Committal Services at 2:00pm at the Evergreen Cemetery, 1005 South Hancock Avenue, Colorado Springs. The family wishes to acknowledge the kind support of friends in Colorado Springs, Golden and beyond. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Foothills Animal Shelter ( https://foothillsanimalshelter.org/tribute-and-memorial-giving/ ) or the Golden Civic Foundation ( https://www.goldencivicfoundation.org/give/ ) – both important organizations to the family.

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