John Harold Burrell

John Harold Burrell, 70, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2013, in Englewood, Colorado, following a courageous fight with cancer. His was born on March 28, 1943 in Rocky Ford, Colorado. He was the oldest of three sons born to Delavan V. Burrell and Mabel June Burrell Smedema. Both his parents preceded him in death. John lived in Rocky Ford until he joined the US Navy in the late 1960s. He served as a communications engineer in the submarine service. Upon his military discharge, he began a long and successful career as a Broadcast Engineer in Television and Radio Communications. He worked as an engineer, Assistant and Chief Engineer of a number of television and radio stations in Colorado. He was the founder and President of Burst Communications prior to its sale. John was passionate about life. He freely shared his passions, talent and expertise to the betterment of society. John served in law enforcement for the Adams County Sheriff's Department. There, he was an active duty officer and volunteered his services for over 14 years. Amateur radio was another passion of John's. He was active in the AREA amateur radio community. He loved connecting with people from all over the world via HAM radio communications. After retirement, he assisted rural areas in Southeastern Colorado to improve emergency and rescue communication services. He was a volunteer fire fighter for Stonewall, CO. John lived life to the fullest and had an incredible zest for life. He never met a stranger. He was a great storyteller, and he loved to listen to other's stories as well. He welcomed young and old into his heart and home. When John passed away he was surrounded by his wife, daughters, and his two faithful four legged co-pilots Gus and Oden. John is survived by his wife, Ernestine; 5 daughters, Debbie Rodriguez, Becky Dockery (Mike), Jenny Burrell, Rachael Burrell (Ross Meinert) and Anna Burrell Simpson (David); 4 grandchildren; two brothers, Dennis (Margaret) and Tom (Patty) of Pueblo, and several uncles and aunts. A memorial service in Denver will be held on May 30, 2013 - 3:00pm, at the Ricketson Auditorium at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. A graveside service will be conducted at the Rocky Ford Cemetery on June 1, 2013 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in his honor to: M.D. Anderson Cancer Research Center The University of Texas P.O. Box 4486 Houston, Texas 77210 OR online: https://www.mdanderson.org/gifts/ The Comprehensive Cancer Center at St. Joseph's Hospital St. Joseph Hospital Foundation 1835 Franklin Street Denver, Colorado 80218 OR online: http://www.sjhfdenver.org/how-to-give/ways-to-give/ Agape Healthcare The Agape Healthcare Foundation 6041 South Syracuse Way Suite 220 Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111