Randolph “Randy” P. Jakus, 69, of Colorado Springs, CO passed away suddenly after a brief illness on August 15, 2024, surrounded by family.

He was born on January 5, 1955, in Milwaukee, WI to parents Rudolph “Rudy” T. Jakus and Delores. A Jakus (Mutter). Randy was raised there with older sister Laura and younger brother Martin “Marty” and with many uncles, aunts and cousins.

Randy graduated from James Madison High School on June 12, 1972, and then received his Bachelor of Arts with a major in geography on December 18, 1977, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He joined the Air Force in February 1980 obtaining the rank of captain and was stationed at Ramstein AFB in Frankfurt Germany, Peterson AFB in Colorado Springs, CO, MEPS in Chicago, IL and March AFB in Riverside, CA.

The love of aviation by Randy was cultivated by his dad’s interest in local airshows. Randy was an airplane enthusiast eventually earning his private pilot’s license and owning a Cessna 140 and then upgrading to a Cessna 172. Randy realized his dream of living at an airpark at Meadow Lake Estates and having his airplane parked in the backyard.

Randy was married in October 1986 to Diane Jakus (Weyek) for 17 years before their divorce. He is survived by his daughter Kristin; sister Laura and her husband Brian; nephew Neil and his wife Pam; and great-niece Isabelle. He was preceded in death by his parents Rudy and Delores; and brother Marty.

Celebration of Life, 11:00AM, Saturday, September 14, 2024, Holy Cross Cemetery Chapel, 7301 West Nash Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53216.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly requests donations be made in his memory to SOAR Foundation, PO Box 76267, Colorado Springs, CO  80970. Please indicate on the memo line – “Jakus/Meadow Lake” so funds can be allocated to the airport Randy once lived next to. Thanks to everyone for their love and support.

“The memory of those we love stays in our hearts forever”.