Garold Roy Jefferson was born December 2nd, 1941 at the Victory Hospital in Akron, Colorado to Kenneth and Mary Ann Jefferson. He was the second of a family of five sons. He attended elementary school at Harrisburg School and later Anton grade schools. Ed: Probably Dist 63, 4 miles north of Anton after Farley, Columbine, and N, S, and W Harrisburg schools were consolidated; closed early 1950s.
Since there was no high school in their immediate area, the decision was made that he would attend Akron High School and room and board with cousins Max and Helen Jefferson in Akron.
While in high school, Garold excelled in wrestling at the 165 lbs position on the team. This began a “dynasty” of the Jefferson boys filling other weights on the team from 1955 - 1963. It also started an endless travel schedule for Kenneth and Mary Ann to watch and support the boys.
Garold graduated from Akron High School in 1959. Later that year he enrolled at CSU and completed 2 quarters of instruction.
He left academia and returned to the farm, helping his dad and later other neighboring farmers. In early 1961 he took a job with the South Washington County Road and Bridge crew. In 1962 Garold and his brother, Merrill, enrolled in Northrup Institute of Technology in Los Angeles. This was an accelerated program designed to prepare the attendees for licensing with Airframe and Powerplant Mechanics for preparation to work in the airline industry. Both completed the program, were licensed in late 1963 after which they returned to Colorado and began employment at Beegles Aircraft in Greeley.
Garold was inducted into the Army in February of 1964. He did his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, then was transferred to Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. From there he was assigned to a post in Panama to utilize his radio/communications training. He was honorably discharged in February of 1966.
Garold developed a love of flying while in the Army. After his discharge he returned to Colorado and was re-employed with Beegles Aircraft. Later he enrolled in Emory School of Aviation in Greeley and completed his private pilot rating as well as his commercial licensing in 1971. For many years, he enjoyed flying for himself and friends and neighbors.
When Garold’s father, Kenneth, unexpectedly died in July of 1966, he and his brother, Merrill, took over the family farm, later expanding their farming operation as “Jefferson Brothers”. Garold sold his farming interests to his nephews, Kenny and Kent Jefferson, in 2009.
After Garold’s retirement from farming, he engaged in an ongoing activity of buying and selling local real estate with his friend, Leonard Grooms.
In continuing his never-ending pursuit of fun, he took frequent trips to Blackhawk, Colorado often including friends in the Akron area.
Garold suffered a stroke in 2018 and made sufficient recovery to return to his home for a while. He suffered another stroke in November 2019. He was a resident at the Washington County Nursing Home where he passed away on January 15, 2020.
Garold is predeceased by his parents: Kenneth and Mary Ann Jefferson and his brothers Gary and Alvin. He is survived by his brothers, Merrill (Judy) and Marvin (Rosalie), and his sister-in-laws Wally (Gary) and Opal (Alvin). He is also survived by 10 nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives, and friends.
A funeral service will be held Monday, January 27, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Akron. Interment will follow at the Akron Cemetery.