John Martin Wildes "Jack"

Jack transitioned peacefully to heaven on November 10, 2022 surrounded by family and close friends at his home in Evergreen, Colorado. Jack was born on January 10, 1949 to Cyril (Cy)and Engelina (Angie) Wildes in Washington D.C. His mother passed away just after Jack’s 1st birthday. Jack was primarily raised by his father, sister, and two brothers. He spent his formative years on his family's farm in Clinton Maryland where he discovered his love for farming, nature and animals. When Jack was 12, he spent his first summer away from Maryland with his sister in Colorado. When he first set eyes on the Rocky Mountain Range, he knew that he would one day make Colorado his forever home. Jack lived with his sister Gail in 1965 while his father was working out of the country. He attended Ann Arbor High School and learned to play the baritone saxophone in marching band. In 1966, he returned to his home in Clinton, MD where he attended Surrattsville High School until he graduated in 1967. After high school, Jack attended the University of Maryland from 1967-1970. He also worked for the forest service in Montana the summer of 1968. In 1969, Jack married his high school sweetheart, Sharon Faraday while continuing his college education and working part-time at Clinton hardware. Jack was extremely patriotic and joined the DC National Guard in 1970 and served as an MP. He was honorably discharged from the National Guard due to his diagnosis of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Cancer in 1971. He received experimental radiation treatment at Stanford University in California. Initially, he was given a prognosis of 5 years, but with the advances of technology at Stanford he remained in remission over 50 years. This was the first of many victories for Jack in beating the odds of a terminal diagnosis. Jack and Sharon had two daughters. Teresa (Teri) was born in 1975, then Traci in 1977. In 1978 Jack and Sharon moved from Maryland to Evergreen Colorado. In 1979, he founded his own heating and air conditioning business (Evergreen Climate Master), which served the foothills community for over 38 years. He was well known as an honest businessman and skilled technician in the community. In 1993, Jack moved to his dream property known as the Blair Ranch, which he was an integral part of preserving, and is now a part of Jefferson County Open Space.

In 1995, Jack met Molly Robertson. Upon falling in love with each other, their love carried them through the remaining 27 years of his life. Jack and Molly had two children; Landon in 1997 and Mariah in 1999. Six months before Mariah was born, Jack had his first open heart surgery. He again defied the odds and survived a very risky operation. On July 04, 2008, Jack became a proud Papa to Carson Jackson (C.J.) Sherpa, and again on August 22, 2011 to Caden Sherpa. Both of his grandsons inherited their Papa Dee’s love of fishing. In 2016, Jack received his second open heart surgery.

Jack was a survivor his entire life and proved that he is the strongest and most determined man. He truly believed that his life was too valuable to give up on. Jack was an unwavering  family man and friend and an exemplary father to his four  children. Throughout the years, Jack was an avid hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman. One of his passions  was sponsoring a co-ed softball team for over 15 years and even winning a few championships. Those who met Jack knew he had the gift of gab, he spent his “spare” time calling his entire phone book with a new joke, playing games with his family, or tending to his garden- all while  drinking an ice cold beer. Jack enjoyed mastering horseradish and hooch, and giving them as gifts to those impressed by his engineering. He will forever be known as a prankster- pulling countless jokes on his friends and family. Jack was a proud member of the National Rifle Association and Evergreen Elks Lodge.

Jack is joined in heaven by his father Cy, mother Angie, and good friend Tory Meyer. He is survived by Molly Robertson, his four children Teri Wildes-Gustin (Scott), Traci Sherpa (Mingmar), Landon Wildes and Mariah Wildes, his sister Gail Ann Roat, brothers Dick Wildes (Sandy) and Chuck Wildes (Gay), his grandsons, C.J. Sherpa and Caden Sherpa, and numerous nieces, nephews,and cousins.

There is no doubt that Jack lived his life to the absolute fullest and loved his community, friends and family with his entire being. His compassion, humor, and strength will be deeply missed, but his memory will live on forever.

Jack’s Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, December 11, 2022 at 11 a.m. at the Evergreen Elks Lodge with a reception following. Bring your favorite joke to be put into Jack’s Joke Book. Please join us in celebrating a legendary man. Meat will be provided, side dishes and desserts are welcome.

Contributions to Jack’s memory can be made to the Evergreen Audubon Society:

https://evergreenaudubon.org/getinvolved/support-us/donations/

Donations to the Evergreen Elks Lodge will be available on site.