Dean Milton Sommers

Dean Milton Sommers, 89, died April 8, 2011 in Colorado Springs after a six-month illness.
He was the third child born to William A. and Ella Mae Sommers of Buffalo, Kansas. He was preceded in death by an older sister, Elizabeth, an older brother Eugene and a younger sister Martha Jean Hale.
After graduation from Buffalo High School he attended Chanute Junior College. He then enlisted in the Army Air Corp in 1942. While fighting in the European Theater his plane was shot down over Norway in 1943 and he was held as a prisoner of war in Stalag XVII. When quizzed about his time in captivity he said, “We played a lot of baseball.”
After the war the highly decorated Sgt. returned to Chanute Junior College and graduated. He met and married Marjorie Jean Bradford in 1946 who proceeded him in death September 3, 2010 after sixty four years of marriage.
He began his life long career with the Santa Fe railroad in 1946 which included relocation to La Junta in 1948.
Dean was a long time active member of the VFW, Elks Club, United Methodist Church, and La Junta Golf Club. He was an avid golfer and outdoorsman with his biggest passion being golf and the pursuit of the elusive “birdie”. He was a big fan of the Colorado Rockies and the Denver Broncos. He loved music and taught himself to play the organ. He also loved to dance with his favorite partner Marjorie.
Two sons survive him: Rodney Sommers of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Milton Sommers, and daughter-in-law Sue Sommers of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Grandchildren include: Amber (Jason) McDonald and Wade Sommers of Austin, Texas; Whitney Lazzaro, and Ashley (Craig) Duncan of Colorado Springs; and four great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all his
family and friends.
A memorial service will be Friday, April 15, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. at Peacock Memorial Chapel with Reverend Terilynn Russ of the United Methodist Church of La Junta officiating. Inurnment with military honors will follow at Ft. Lyon National Cemetery.
Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

The family has requested donations be made to the La Junta United Methodist Church, 601 San Juan Avenue, La Junta, CO, 81050 direct or through the funeral home.