John Ellis Rydell

John Ellis Rydell

12-23-1942 to 5-29-2025

John Ellis Rydell was born December 23, 1942, to John Elif Rydell and Hazel Jane Farndale. A brother, Kermit Leon, was added to the family a couple of years later. As his father was career Air Force, the family had the opportunity to live in several different countries. John attended schools in Texas, Atlanta, Georgia, France, Athens, Greece, and the Hague in Holland. After his father’s retirement, they settled in Texas. At age 16, while living in Atlanta, he suffered the first of two nearly fatal accidents - he fell from a tree and received a broken neck, broken shoulder, and head injury, including severe brain damage. After 2 weeks, he regained consciousness and was finally released from the hospital after 2.5 months.

In 1961, he graduated from high school in Athens, Texas, then joined the Air Force as a mechanic. Though his service was only a couple years, he was proud he had served. He then married and had a daughter, Christina, from that union.

For some time, he operated his own mechanic shop and then worked as a welder on the railroad. He was a skilled draftsman later drawing house plans for the house and a licensed HAM radio operator. In the early 1980s, he made his way to Colorado. In 1987, when he was living in Ault, he was headed to work when he was in a head-on collision. They airlifted him to the hospital, and he again had to fight through months of recovery from back injuries and crushed feet and ankles. His strong will to live again brought him through and he just had to learn to live with pain.

John purchased his property in Owl Canyon where he has lived for 35+ years. He met Ruth through a mutual friend in 1993, and they were married in 2002. He gained 3 daughters, which he much appreciated and loved. Together, John and Ruth built their house in Owl Canyon. He had a big heart and loved helping people in any way he could, whether friend, family, or total stranger. 

He is survived by Ruth, Robin (Andy), Melissa (Marcus), Shelly, 5 step-grandchildren, 5 step-great grandchildren, brother Kermit, and daughter Christina.

John wasn’t perfect - he accepted that and endeavored to change for the better. Most of all, he accepted other people as they were and did not judge them for their imperfections.

Service to be held on June 8, 2025, at 2 pm at Peace Community Church of the Brethren, Windsor, CO.