CENTER — John Lale Divine, 79 years, of Center, Colorado,  passed away suddenly Friday, August 21, 2020 on the mountain doing what he did best, living life to the fullest.   Born on June 24, 1941 to Joe B. and Marie K. (Thonoff) Divine at home in Medford, OK.  He didn’t have a birth certificate for a long time since he was a home birth. John graduated from Iola High School, Iola, Kansas, 1959; Kansas State University in 1963 and did graduate work at the University of Arizona, in animal nutrition. John was gifted at managing his ranch by perfecting the feeding regimen, utilizing the culled potatoes grown in the San Luis Valley to optimize market potential. He also was fluent in Spanish, which served him well in his business. He bought and sold sheep and other livestock across the United States, Mexico and Canada. He was a member of Colorado Wool Growers and the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Assoc. John was a fantastic grill master, he is known for his smoked BBQ ribs at Dos Rios every Friday in the summer.   He enjoyed spending time with his family and entertaining others with his stories and laughter. 

John married Anne Carolyn Sutherland, his high school sweetheart in Iola, KS December 26, 1963. They built a home with children, Joan Newell (Dee), Fort Smith Arkansas, Joe Bender Divine, Center, Andrea Lovett (Richard), Woodstock, Georgia.   3 Grandchildren, Blaire Newell, Eric Newell and Christopher Lovett.   He is also survived by brother-in-laws Joe Sutherland (Lynne), Richard Sutherland (Paula), and sister-in-law Charlene Levans (George) of Iola.  Several nieces and nephews, and many cousins across the country.

Family service to be held. 

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Cal Farley’s Boy Ranch,  600 Southwest 11^th Ave, Amarillo, TX 79101 or Beaver Creek Youth Camp, 0885 County Road 20A, South Fork, CO 81154 in honor of John’s life well lived. 

Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements.  To leave online condolences, remarks or words of comfort for John’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com