Jim H Sperry

James Howard Sperry, 50, of Gardner, Colorado, was called to heaven on April 21, 2023, while participating in his favorite past-time, chasing a tom turkey on Black Mountain to hopefully get him in the freezer. James was born to Dale and Daryl Lynnie Sperry in Grand Junction, Colorado, on June 12, 1972. He was a very active youngster who loved playing soccer and doing most anything outdoors. A major hurdle in life occured when he was just 11 years old, he was diagnosed with bone cancer in his right knee. He endured chemotherapy and the amputation of his right leg but ultimately won the battle. Even with only one leg, he was extremely competitive in the high school sports of swimming and wrestling. He was also a member of the US Disabled Ski Team. He won numerous awards showing his pigeons and rabbits in 4-H. As if all that wasn't enough, he absolutely loved being a Boy Scout. He ultimately achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout. In 1991, James graduated from Central High School in Grand Junction. He then started his college career at Mesa State College in Grand Junction and soon transferred to Colorado State University in Fort Collins. He graduated in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy. Upon graduation, he started working for the Natural Resource Conservation Service division of the USDA where he was a soil conservationist for 2 years. He was then promoted to the District Conservationist in Silver Cliff, Colorado. He remained in that position for 13 years until he was promoted to Area Resource Conservationist for Programs in Area 3 in Colorado. After a short 3 years in that position, he was then moved to his current position as a member of the State Programs team. He met his wife, Julie Kinderknecht, in the summer of 2007 and she became Julie Sperry on June 28, 2008. The couple shared many elk, deer, and turkey hunting trips together. James was an avid gardener, starting most of the couple's vegetable plants from seed. In the past few years, he also became an avid aquarist focusing on salt water fish and corals. James is survived by his wife, Julie, his service dog and best friend, Mountain Cross Thunder, AKA Bubba, his parents Dale and Daryl Sperry, his brother, Shane his wife Cori and their son Colton, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. A gofundme.com memorial account has been set up in his name to help defray the cost of his final arrangements. A celebration of life will be planned for a future date when travel will have less of a chance of being hazardous. Please email Mrs. Sperry at cowpaty@yahoo.com if you would like to be notified of the upcoming celebration.

Jim H Sperry

June 12, 1972 - April 21, 2023