John D. Ziegler

John was born on October 1, 1939 in Medina, Ohio to John Henry Ziegler and Rosario Boquer Ziegler. John died on October 9, 2009. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, sister Kristine Sheehan and her four children, son John, son Christopher and his wife Aimee and granddaughter Riley, son Michael and his wife Kim, son Patrick, and his beloved dog ""Ziggy"". After graduating from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration in 1962, John attended graduate school at the University of Hawaii to study accounting and finance. Following graduate school, John served in the United States Coast Guard, stationed in Hawaii and California. John's professional career in the restaurant business flourished after his service, where he reached the position of Vice President with Host International, overseeing the opening and operations of Charley Brown's and Red Onion restaurants throughout California. In 1977, John moved to Denver to follow his dream and opened his own sports bar, originally named Jackson's Hole Saloon (today known as Jackson's All-American Sports Grill). For the next 32 years, John opened and operated 18 Jackson's concept restaurants in Colorado and around the country. John is Past Chairman of the Colorado Restaurant Association and a Director Emeritus of the National Restaurant Association. Honors include recipient of the Colorado Restaurant Association ""Hall of Fame"" and the ""Distinguished Service Award"". As a Board Member of the National Restaurant Association, John did a tour of duty as a Hennessey Traveler, evaluating food service in the United States Air Force for the prestigious Hennessey Awards program. John was Chairman of the 2005 National Restaurant Association Convention in Chicago. John served several terms as the Northwest Regional Vice President of the Cornell Hotel Society, and served a three year term on the Cornell University Council. John remained passionately involved with the Republican Party, serving on multiple Political Action Committees. Visitation, Friday, October 16, 2009, from 6:00-8:00 PM; Vigil Rosary, Saturday, October 17, 2009 at 4:00 PM, both at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 East County Line Road (just one block to the west of Holly Street), in Centennial, Colorado. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in John's name to either the Colorado Restaurant Association Education Fund, 430 East 7th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80203 or to the John D. Ziegler Cornell Hotel Society Rocky Mountain Chapter Memorial Fund, c/o Key Bank, 8000 East Belleview Avenue, Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111, or at any Key Bank location. Please share memories of John and condolences with his family by selecting the ""sign guestbook"" button below.