Ivan I. Wescoatt

Some men get to live a long life filled with good health and a zest for life. Some men live a life in which their marriage is an enduring love story. Some men have children who adore them. Some men are respected as outstanding members of their profession. Some men are known as mentors of what it means to live with integrity, honesty, kindness and love. But a few men, a very few, get to be and do all these things. We said goodbye to one such remarkable life on Saturday, Sept. 24th when Ivan Wescoatt passed gently away at his home in Castle Rock. In his 94 years, Ivan (or Pete or Wes as he was known at various times in his life) had many roles: Nebraska farm boy, outstanding high school athlete, gifted mechanic and carpenter, Army Air Corps Sergeant and flight inspector, proud Colorado State University graduate, career biologist with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, lover of really corny jokes, loyal friend. He was proud of all these roles. But the role he loved best was that of husband, father, grandfather, uncle - for Ivan, family was about love, and love was about family. In his life, love was given and received in great measure. He leaves his wife of nearly sixty-nine years, Hope; children Craig (Linda) Wescoatt and Leslie (John) Randall; and his adored granddaughters, Kenzie and Kiersten Simmons. He leaves also an extended family of many generations, friends of decades and many who loved him just because. His legacy, however, is not those who grieve. His legacy is the way he lived: Ivan stands as an example to us all of what it means to live with honestly expressed love, with personal and professional integrity, with humor, with vigorously held principles and with gentleness to all living creatures. We had his example for 94 years, but his influence will continue into future generations. He goes to the next adventure with our enduring love and overwhelming gratitude. He is free. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 11:00 am at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 East County Line Road, Centennial, Colorado 80122. Memorial contributions may be made in Ivan's name to any wildlife conservancy or to the Denver Dumb Friends League, 2080 South Quebec Street, Denver, Colorado 80231. Please share your memories of Ivan and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook at HoranCares.com.