James Tuffield

Jim is survived by his wife of 37 years, Diane (Lowe) Tuffield

He was the 4th child of Jerry and Charlie Tuffield who preceded him in death.  He will be greatly missed by his six siblings, Chuck, Jerry (Walker), Bobby (Kirchner), John, Jackie (Lewis), and Terry (Tuck).

Jim attended St. Vincent de Paul Grade School, St. Francis de Sales High School, and South High School.   He received his BA in Business from Metro State College. He also had a Real Estate License.

In 1966 at the age of 17, he joined the Army and became a member of the elite Special Forces Green Beret. His first assignment in Vietnam was at the NaTrang Special Forces Headquarters.  He was a Military Operations Specialist.  As a paratrooper he made air drops in support of the Montagnards.   He extended with a second tour that took him to Plaiku and Can Tho.  He was honorably discharged in August 1968.

In September of 2014 he received the Quilt of Valor made by Colorado quilters in honor of his service.  In September 2018—50 years after his discharge, he was presented a Congressional tribute with recognition and gratitude for his service.

After his 1968 discharge, he worked many jobs from stocking clerk to tire builder to brick transport to lab tech and as a miner at the Climax Molybdenum Mine in Leadville.  He also worked alongside his dad laying brick.

After having worked as a temporary dock worker for Consolidated Freightways, he accepted a full-time role as a truck driver.  He drove for CF for 27 years pulling doubles and triple trailers.

Jim and Diane owned and operated the bar, restaurant and music room on Broadway known as Conley’s Nostalgia. It was a home to many local and national entertainers.

Jim retired from CF in 2001 giving him more time to enjoy his home and mountain property in Morrison.  He had always been a dog owner and dog lover. Living in the mountains allowed Jim to add a dog sled and sled dogs to his animal family.  He also assisted with rescues for the national park including opening his home to a squirrel, a skunk and a pregnant Bernese Mountain Dog that had been lost in the national park.

Jim was a life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the International Footprint Association.

Our hearts are broken as we grieve the loss of such a special man and friend.  We consider ourselves lucky to have shared his wit and love.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the  Wounded Warriors Project or Guiding Eyes for the Blind.