Harold Hudspeth

Harold Robert Hudspeth was born on May 18th, 1943 in Pueblo, Colorado to Myra (nee Smith) and Tom M. Hudspeth II and died on May 5th, 2017 in Arvada surrounded by his children, Val, Kingsley, Max, Talia and Jesse, his granddaughter Avery and the love of his life, his wife Lisa Talve. Harold was the third of four children. He is survived by his sister Patricia Kirchmar, her husband Bud, children Kevin (Michelle), Kelly (Steve Heger), and Dana and grandchild Ryli; his brother Tom (Janet) daughter Whitney (Michael Clouthier) and their grandchildren Tommy, Austin and Alex and his “baby brother” John (Annette) and their son Matt. Harold will always be a beloved father to Val and Kingsley Crawford and their children Peighton, Avery, Cyle, Xavier and Athena, to Max and Talia Talve and to Jesse Hudspeth. Harold was a great friend, a loving brother and brother in law, a favorite “Unkie,” amazing father and most loving husband. These relationships fill the stories of Harold’s life. Harold graduated from Arvada High School where he played quarterback for the football team and pitched for the baseball team. He graduated from Colorado State University and had a distinguished career as Executive Assistant of Youth Services for the State of Colorado, a position he held for twenty eight years. His gifts working with troubled youth earned him the respect of many in his field. He met the love of his life at Lookout Mountain Youth Services, a residential treatment facility where he was a supervisor and Lisa was an intern. It was a love at first site that grew so deep it withstood distance, disappointment and the ravages of cruel disease. They shared a life filled with many magical moments in a home that faced their beloved Colorado Mountains. Harold was a natural father who never missed a game or an important moment in his children’s lives. He loved children and they loved him. His nieces and nephews hold a special place in their hearts for their Uncle Harold. Harold loved the sun. He could always be found with his face in the sun even at Broncos games, another one of his passions. His many tubes of Nivea cream and Coppertone could be found everywhere. Harold found a way to workout wherever he was. He was his own gym and never missed a day to pump a chair or a couch and he loved to walk. Harold and Lisa traveled every chance they could. When Harold was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease they took their dream trip to the Greek Islands to make memories that would carry them through a journey that lasted nine years. Harold was able to remain at home with his loving and dedicated family caring for him until the end. Lisa, Max, Talia and Jesse were “Team Harold” and devoted their lives to keeping him safe and cared for with his dignity intact. They are grateful to the family and friends that shared time and lunches with Harold as he managed to choose life each day. There are so many who were touched by his strong spirit and his sense of humor from his piano teacher to the waitresses who will all miss his visits. Just a year before he died Lisa and Harold renewed their marriage vows on the top of a mountain in Steamboat, Colorado. When Harold lost much of his ability to communicate he never lost the words to tell Lisa how beautiful she was and how much he loved her. Harold was tall and handsome and together they made the world more beautiful in many ways. Every life is a whole world. Harold filled this world with a life of meaning with his relationships, his work and his passions. May his memory be a blessing and an inspiration for all who knew him.