Orris Leo Colpitts (89) passed away at his home in Ft Collins Colorado on April 11th, 2020. Orris was born on March 6th 1931 in Flagler, Kit Carson County, Colorado to Clarence and Francis Cowan Colpitts.

Orris attended Sunnydale Elementary and Middle School where he completed 8th grade. After that he worked on his family farm in Cope, Washington County, Colorado until he joined the Army in 1952. He served in the Korean War from 1952-1954. Afterward he was assigned to the Reserves until 1960.

Orris moved to Akron, Colorado in 1955 where he started his career as a heavy equipment operator working for Blanchard Construction doing road work. he stayed in road construction for the rest of his working years. He worked for Sterling Paving for 18 years then went on to Connel Paving for another 15 years until his retirement at the age of 68.

In 1956 he was married to Clarice Aden; they were married for 17 years. They had two children: Coleen was born in 1955 and Jill in 1957. Orris and Clarice were divorced in 1973.

After his divorce Orris moved to Fort Collins where he was still employed at Sterling Paving. In 1977 he married Lela Rae Dunbar Reese (9 Jun 1936 - 30 Jun 2001). From this marriage he inherited two stepchildren, Randy and Linda.

Orris enjoyed camping, fishing, boating, and golfing with his children and grandchildren. In his retired years. he enjoyed working on lawn mowers for friends, neighbors, and family at which he was very talented. He also loved to go dancing at the Senior Center where he met a lot of new friends. He went to lunches and breakfast with many friends weekly. He was a kind and loving man who never met a stranger.

Preceding him in death were both of his parents; two brothers Marvin and Ivan, and sister Wilma; and his second wife Lela Rae and stepson Randy.

Survivors include daughter Coleen Nickolas and husband Ken; daughter Jill Blakstad and husband Bob; stepdaughter Linda Leegaard; eight grandchildren: Troy, Tyler, Tracy, Portia, Jessie, Whitney, Chasity. and Brandy; 10 great-grandchildren: Angie, Penny, Conrad, Carsen, Easton, Micah, Charlie, Chalee, Kyla and Rian; sister Karen Wall and bother Louis Colpitts; and many cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.

Private family graveside services were held on Friday April 17th 2020 at Greenlawn Cemetery, Berthoud, Larimer County, Colorado where Orris was interred next to his wife Lela Rae who died in 2001. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic a memorial service will be held at a later date.