John Karen

John Douglas Karen, 77, passed away on February 17, 2023, in Denver, CO. He was born on November 22, 1945, in Rapid City, SD.  He grew up in Newell, SD, and graduated from high school in 1963. He attended college at Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and a minor in Economics.  He served in the Army following graduation, completing a tour in South Korea.  He moved to Denver after discharge and received an MBA from the University of Colorado.

John worked as a CPA and Controller at several small companies before joining Martin Marietta Data Systems, ending his tenure there as the Director of Business Development at their headquarters in Bethesda, MD.  His next positions were also in the Information Technology sector as Senior Vice President and CFO at Security Pacific Information Services and Vice President and COO at MIACO Corporation.  He owned and operated auto body repair and rental property businesses.

John ended his career in the non-profit sector as the COO at Clinica Tepeyac and Director of Finance and Operations at Warren Village and Hope Communities. He served on the board of Bayaud Enterprises for many years.

John met his wife, Lorraine, in Denver, CO, and they were married on December 28, 1984. John and Lorraine had the good fortune to travel all over the world and share many adventures. John learned how to make fire with a stick from tribesmen in Tanzania, how to spot tigers and ride camels in India, how to drive on the wrong side of the road in England, how to hunt for truffles in Italy, and how to read and say ice cream in approximately 32 languages.

John always loved sports.  He demonstrated his athletic abilities throughout his life, playing basketball and football in high school and college, pitching for the 8th Army fast-pitch softball team, and golfing and skiing as an adult.  He was a hard-core Rockies, Broncos and Buffs fan.  He loved going to games at Mile High and Folsom and was known to find his way to Coors Field for a mid-week afternoon game on occasion.

He was a great stepdad to Lorraine’s two daughters, and he dearly loved spending time with his four grandkids at the beach, on the ski slopes or pushing swings on the playground.

Besides family, sports and travel, John loved bulldogs and cats, a cold beer, a good movie, and anything chocolate.

John is survived by his wife, Lorraine Karen, of Denver; stepdaughter, Kendra (Brad Lesnick) Greb of Westminster; stepdaughter Susannah (Samuel) McGuire of Denver; grandchildren Charlotte Greb, Tucker Greb, Eli McGuire and Claire McGuire; and brother Raymond (Peggy) Karen of Reno, NV. He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Karen, and brother, Merle Karen.

A reception in his honor will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2023, from 4:00-5:30 p.m. at Horan & McConaty, 1901 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO, 80246.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Hope Communities ( HopeCommunities.org )
Bayaud Enterprises ( BayaudEnterprises.org )
Denver Dumb Friends League ( Ddfl.org )