Jo Carroll Dutton

Not so long ago (1925) and not so far away (Panhandle, Texas), a true legend was born. He was not one of fame or fortune in the eyes of the world, but one that will live on in some aspect in the character of each person who knew him. He left behind a legacy of faith, honesty and doing simply what was right. He believed in helping your neighbors before you helped yourself, in God, family, his country and this community. He loved his wife, Barbara, with his whole being and treasured her for nearly 66 years of marriage and with his last breath. Their marriage was a testimony to many and their example has been an inspiration of a life and love well done. He was a loving Father to his children and a very special Grandpa to his 7 grandchildren and Papa to his 16 great grandchildren. His favorite times were spent with them piled on his lap in his big brown chair and watching them play together at his feet. He took care of the earth, working to conserve water and the land. He laughed easily with those “twinkling Dutton blue eyes”, and laughed often, finding joy in all he did, content every day in doing what he loved to do. He found beauty in God’s creation, especially in farmland, livestock and the mountains. He worked hard and played hard. He was a gentle man, but one of firm convictions, known for his wisdom and honesty. He was a wise man with great insight and an understanding of people and of how to make things work, yet was never proud or boastful. He was a hero when no one was looking. He endured hardship, pain and loss, but never waivered in his faith and believed that tomorrow, you could always start again. “Put your heels in, your toes out and ride,” he would say. “Just be yourself, finish what you start, and don’t worry about what others think.” He was a man of highest integrity, one you could always trust to do what he said he would do. He was a Godly man, always seeking to live how he thought God would want and always with a servant’s heart. A family member stated it well, when he said “He didn’t care who or what, he just gave, never expecting anything in return.” That was the character of Joe Dutton.

In the early years, Joe's family farmed and had a dairy in Canyon, TX, keeping them busy through the dust bowl years. He graduated from Canyon High School in 1942, and attended West Texas State University until joining the U.S. Navy, to serve in WW II. He was injured stateside and spent many months in Bethesda Naval Hospital. He returned to Canyon and met Barbara. They were married in 1947 and moved to La Junta, Colorado in 1949, where they have farmed and ranched until now. He served many years on the Ft. Lyon Water Board, Ark Valley Coop, OJC Vocational Board, The Soil Conservation District, his Church and other local organizations including the Fire Department when there was a need for volunteers in the Fort Bent area. He loved to farm his land and often helped out neighbors who needed to “catch up”. He believed in the youth and in education and sponsored scholarships for many to attend college. He was honored with awards such as the Agricultural Hall of Fame and many in Conservation.

One day we will walk again together. We’ll polka around the barn floor, swept clean to host a dance. We’ll fly in a sled behind the pickup over a snow covered field. We will eat the heart of a watermelon, ice cold in the morning dew. We’ll ride on a big red tractor and sit high on a pile of sweet corn ready to be shucked. We’ll play softball and go water skiing on a Sunday afternoon. We will always have time to stop and talk and listen. We’ll have ice cream and hot apple pie, watch bull riding and laugh together until we cry. Until then, we’ll be thankful that we knew you and loved you as husband, Dad, Daddy, Pepe, Grandpa, Papa, brother and friend. God shared you for this while, this 88 years on earth. The legacy of your character has influenced and encouraged many. Your generosity, compassion, guidance and strength were the basis in our family. You were not perfect, but in our book, you were really, really close. You were truly the best man we ever knew. We thank you for who you were, Joe Dutton, for how you lived, for all you gave and for being the true legend of our lives.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Dutton of the home; Son, Mike (Denise) Dutton of La Junta, Daughter, Beth Aldrich of Loveland, CO; adopted son, Cecil Cardenas, La Junta; Brother, Max (Jerry) Dutton of La Junta. Grandchildren: Amber (Dean) Thompson, Wiley, CO; Jeremy (Shelby) Dutton, La Junta, Dawn (Dustin) Eddy, La Junta; Heather (Ross) Eddy, Littleton; Freddie Delgado, Fort Collins, CO; Jeff (Anna) Peters, Pueblo, CO; Janelle (Greg) Sims, Pueblo West, CO; Danelle Delgado, Loveland, CO; Michael Cardenas, Denver, CO; Jose Cardenas and Cecelia Cardenas, La Junta. Great Grandchildren: Maddie & Brooke Thompson, Wiley, CO; Riggin, Reese and Rhett Dutton, La Junta; Cheyenne, Shayleigh and Shasity Eddy, La Junta; Grace and Ellie Eddy, Littleton, CO; Bella, Seth and Sophie Jolynn Delgado, Fort Collins, CO; Joscelyn Peters, Pueblo, CO; Kyndal and Keaton Murphy, Pueblo West, CO. Numerous nephews, nieces and friends.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jo Lynn Peters, his parents, James Early and Grace Dutton, in-laws, George and Modena Barker, two sisters and one brother.

We wish to extend our gratitude to Lisa Lucero and Catherine Ramirez and the Hospice staff who so lovingly helped care for him through a difficult time. If you wish to make a donation in Joe’s honor, the family asks in lieu of flowers that you contribute to Ark Valley Hospice, arkvalleyhospice.org or call 719-384-8827.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.


A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene in La Junta.