By Steve Smith
Joel Daniel Kennedy, 34, of Brighton, passed away Oct. 2, 2012. He was born June 18, 1978, in Denver to Herschel Kennedy and Karen (Feist) Kennedy. He graduated from Fort Lupton High School in 1996.
Joel started his career at Wal-Mart as a sales associate and worked his way up to assistant store manager. He then went to work for the Adams County Sheriff’s Office for three years and then continued his career with Westminster Police Department where he worked for 10 years. He volunteered with the Fort Lupton Fire Department from 1996 to 2000 and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police until 2010.
Joel enjoyed mountain biking, motorcycle riding, camping and the mountains. He loved spending time outdoors. He enjoyed listening to classic country music and later in life, Joel learned that he loved all types of history.
Joel is survived by his father, Herschel Kennedy, of Cheyenne Wells; mother, Karen Kennedy and step-father, Dave Crow, of Fort Lupton; siblings, Christopher “Mike” Kennedy and Curt (Starla) Kennedy, both of Goodland, Kan., Becky (Khalid) Kennedy-Elhaouari, of Fort Lupton; step-sisters, Theresa Crow and Heather (Will) Franz, of Longmont; nieces, Meghan and Arrayla, and nephews, Austin and Logan.
A funeral service is set for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 10, at Fourway Baptist Church in Hudson, 9966 County Road 41. Interment at Hillside Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Joel’s name to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), 424 East 92nd Street, New York, New York, 10128-6804.
Tabor-Rice Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Virginia M. Luttrell
Virginia M. Luttrell, 93, of Brighton, passed away Oct. 4, 2012, in Westminster. Virginia was born Feb. 21, 1919, in Cameron, Mo.
Her parents Frank and Myrtle Demaree moved their family to Colorado in 1928 where they farmed east of Brighton. Later her father was a bail bondsman and justice of the peace. Virginia had three sisters and a brother who preceded her in death: Helen Smith, Dorothy Morley, Margie Rydlund and Bill Demaree. She also had a half-sister, Louise Ross.
Virginia graduated Brighton High in 1937, she was very proud of her accomplishments in 4-H. In 1937 she was one of four Colorado students chosen to attend an all-expense paid trip to the national 4-H camp in Washington, D.C.
Virginia married her high school sweetheart, Joseph T. Luttrell, Jan. 10, 1940. Like many other young women, she sent her new husband off to war writing every day, praying and worrying. She moved into an apartment in Denver with three other young wives, waiting for their husbands to return to them.
Joe and Virginia had five children: James J Luttrell, Richard F Luttrell (Dickey deceased), Phillip J Luttrell married Pam Rosenbrock, Jolene married Dennis Shaklee, and Patrick J Luttrell married Sue Erickson. Virginia has six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Virginia went to work for Brighton High School as secretary in the counselor’s office in 1961 and retired in 1979. She loved working with young people but enjoyed retirement even more. Joe retired from Trailways Bus System where he was a bus driver in 1982. Then they enjoyed traveling, playing golf and bridge. Mostly they enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
Joe passed away in 1992 after 52 years of marriage. Virginia spent her time playing bridge, gardening, crocheting and reading. We will all miss her sweet smile and loving touch.
God Bless you Mom.
A rosary service is set for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 9, followed by the Mass of Christian burial at 11:30 a.m., both at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Interment at Elmwood Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions can be made to Colorado Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 7400 East Arapahoe Road, Suite 211, Centennial, Colorado 80112.
Tabor-Rice Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Shirley J. McDonald
Shirley J. McDonald, 70, of Brighton, passed away Oct. 7, 2012, in Brighton. She was born Jan. 25, 1942, in Little Falls, Minn., to Harold and Marion (Maxwell) Coning.
Shirley is survived by her children, Gerald McDonald of Duluth, Minn., Debbie Okwelle, of Commerce City, Patrick McDonald, Charles McDonald and Darla (Noe) Ortiz, all of Brighton; sister, Char Holmes and brother, Randy Coning, both of Duluth, Minn.; 14 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Private family services will be held at a later date. Tabor-Rice Funeral Home is handling the arrangments.
