James “Jim” Alfred McDaniel III

Longtime La Jara resident James “Jim” Alfred McDaniel III, 87, died October 11, 2021, at Rio Grande Hospital in Del Norte.

Jim was born in La Jara, Colorado, on July 12, 1934 the son of James Alfred II and Blanche (Guymon) McDaniel.  He married Margaret Dolores “June” McIlvaine on June 17, 1956, in Alamosa, Colorado.  After their first date, a blind date, June returned to her apartment and informed her roommates, “I am going to marry that guy someday!”  They enjoyed 65 years of marriage together.”

Jim attended and graduated from La Jara High School where he excelled in football, basketball, and track.  For many years Jim held school records in the shot and discus.

Following high school Jim completed his bachelor’s degree at Colorado University. An accomplished athlete, Jim competed on CU’s track and field team where he threw the shot and disc.  During his freshmen year of his university career, he was inducted into the fraternity, Sigma Mu.

An ROTC member, after his graduation from CU, Jim was stationed in Virginia where he completed his basic training and the start of his two year military stint.  After six months, he was honorably released to return to the farm in Romeo, Colorado.

Jim and brother-in-law Robert McCarroll ran the family farm for over forty years raising lettuce, barley, alfalfa, and potatoes.  While farming, Jim had many rattlesnake encounters resulting in a box of rattlers he enjoyed sharing with his family.

After his farming years, Jim became a groundskeeper for Adams State College.  He enjoyed those with whom he worked and beautifying the campus.  One of his favorite tasks was painting the football field for upcoming games and working with student athletes.

Jim enjoyed gardening, fishing, and hunting.  Jim loved grooming their lawn and caring for their many flower beds.  From year to year the McDaniel yard was a model of beauty.  Many passer-by’s would stop to comment on the beauty of their yard.  In his later years he enjoyed playing golf with friends, children, and grandchildren.  On most days, if his hands weren’t in the dirt, he could be found at Cattails Golf course in Alamosa, Colorado.

Jim is survived by his wife, Margaret Dolores McIlvaine of Alamosa; his children Jill (Ben) Sutterfield of Austin, TX; Penne (David) Hamilton of Pagosa Springs, CO; Jane Wakefield of River Falls, WI; Patrick McDaniel of Fort Collins, CO; and Pam (Mark) Loose of Gilbert, AZ.  Additionally, Jim is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents James and Blanche McDaniel, sisters Helen McCarroll and Patty Armstrong, and son-in-law Michael Wakefield.

A Graveside Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 18, 2021, at the La Jara Cemetery.  To leave online condolences, tributes, remembrances, and words of comfort for Jim’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com