Loy Ross Handley

Loy Ross Handley, 88, born August 19, 1923 died peacefully at his home in Arvada on September 10, 2011. He is survived by his wife Magdaline Handley, daughters Pam Johnson (George), Janice Brady (Ward), son Gary Handley, step-son Bill Doyle. He is also survived by his sisters Fern Hirsch, Lou Cane (Bob), June Gabor, Wauneta Eastman (Art), LaDonna Zetwick, and Joyce Piwenitzky (Pint). Grandchildren Andrea McNamara (Mike), Kerith Bontrager (Austyn), Erin Ralston (Bobby), Pamela Barlett (Marc), Daniel Brady (Katy), Bonnie Brady, James Brady, Johanna Brady. He has 14 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was born to Gladys Dell (Sellars) and Arthur Ross Handley in Narka Kansas. As a child his family moved to Gurley Nebraska and he graduated from Gurley High School. Loy served in the U.S. Army from March 24, 1943 until March 8, 1946 in the Army Artillery Batatalion of the 105th and 155th. On December 1, 1950, he joined the Denver Fire Department. He met the first love of his life Deloris Jean Farley (Tootie) and married her on February 10, 1950. Together they raised their three children Pam, Janice and Gary in Denver. Tootie died in 1972. He met the second love of his life Magdaline and they married in 1975. Together they combined their homes to continue raising his son Gary and her children Bill and Mary Doyle. Loy retired from the Denver Fire Department on June 15, 1978. He was a champion of all games ~ Scrabble, Chess, Checkers, Marbles, or any other game someone would challenge him to. He was a world traveler, a fisherman, a handyman, a bowler, a square dance partner, a gardener, a great cook, and a family man. The past few years he has also held the title as sole caretaker of his wife Magdaline. He was a great man to all who knew him - He IS a hero. He is preceeded in death by his first wife Deloris (Farley) Handley, parents Gladys and Ross Handley, his siblings Joy Handley, Harry Handley, Don Handley, Ruth McDowell, and Carol Forsyth, and step-daughter Mary Doyle. He will always be loved, but never forgotten. He is OUR hero. Memorial Service at Horan McConaty, 3101 South Wadsworth, Lakewood, Friday September 16, 2011 at 10 a.m. Interment Fort Logan National Cemetery Tuesday, September 20, 2011. Meet at staging area ""C"", at 10:15 a.m. Please share your memories of Loy and condolences with his family by selecting the ""sign guestbook"" button below.