James E. Engle

James Everett Engle was born on March 20, 1930, in Wichita Kansas to parents Floyd Elot Engle and Rosa Elora Engle.

In 1937 he moved with his parents to a ranch south of Las Animas, Colorado and attended Frick School there. In 1943 the family moved to La Junta, where James attended Columbian School, Herren Junior High, and La Junta High School. In 1949 he worked as a driller for Ormsbee Drilling Company and later worked as a short-order cook at Burney's Drive Inn in La Junta.

In June 1950 James began employment with the Santa Fe Railroad in the Bridge and Building Department and then transferred to engine service in November 1950. In November 1950 he was drafted and served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. James returned to the railroad after serving his country and was promoted to locomotive engineer in July 1955. James was the last steam locomotive engineer in the Colorado Division and saw the move from steam to diesel power. In his final years, James moved to passenger trains and was the senior engineer for Amtrak within the Colorado Division. In 1991 after 41 years and two months of railroad service, James retired.

James had a lifelong love of farming and ranching and owned a 127-acre farm in the Bent's Fort area and operated a 335-acre ranch south of Las Animas. James was also active in purchasing and remodeling real estate in his lifetime and improved over a dozen properties. James and his wife Barbara owned and operated a fabric and craft store in La Junta (Shull's Fabrics) for many years. Of his many achievements in life, James was most proud that he accepted Christ as his savior in 1961. In 2004, James moved to Pueblo, CO where he resided at the time of his death.

Jim is survived by his son, Jimmy Engle of Pueblo, CO; daughter, Debbie Stevenson of Midland, TX; son, Rodney (Francine) Albrecht of La Junta, CO; son, Michael (Paula) Engle of Pueblo, CO; sisters, Margaret Ellen (Floyd) Gumke of Trinidad, CO and Maxine Engle of Knoxville, TN; grandchildren, Staci Carrell of Midland, TX, Erica Rhoades of Midland, TX, Emily Willard of Denver, CO, Gabriella Engle of Denver, CO, and Justin Engle of Laurel, MT; great-grandchildren, Kynedy Rhoades of Edmund, OK, Nolan Rhoades of Midland, TX, Lane Rhoades of Edmond, OK, Cade Carrell of Midland, TX, Makynli Carrell of Midland, TX, Caleb Carrell of Midland, TX, Hudson Willard of Denver, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Randy Albrecht, sisters, Betty Barnett and Joanne West, brothers, Kenneth L. Engle, Donald L. Engle, and Wilfred Kincade.

Funeral services will be Friday, January 14, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel with Pastor Jim Murray of the Pueblo First Church of the Nazarene. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery in La Junta.

Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.