John Pedroza

John, or Johnny as he was endearingly called by those closest to him, was the absolute embodiment of the many wondrous attributes of which amazing souls are composed and which are fundamental in bestowing upon each human life its essence and its unique capacity for exhibiting compassion, empathy, generosity, honesty, integrity, happiness, kindness, and LOVE. Throughout the entirety of his mortal life Johnny not only possessed every one of these noble traits, he earnestly embraced each of those qualities, and he incorporated each of them into his life each and every day. By doing so, Johnny was able to experience one of the most interesting, exciting, enjoyable, fulfilling, and complete lives imaginable. Johnny Pedroza was a true renaissance man of his era. His passion for motorsports led him to the driver’s seat of the open-wheel race cars his father had also once piloted. Johnny proudly served his country in the United States Army. It was in the service that he would further develop and hone what would become an impressive and extremely admirable work ethic. He was an exceptionally talented machinist and engine builder and he used these talents to tirelessly ad successfully manage and operate a family business that would eventually support and provide for several generations of the Pedroza family. Johnny was also an avid and experienced trout fisherman. He spent decades plying his craft and passing down his secrets to the next generation of Pedroza fishermen as he continued to master the waters of his favorite stream, the Lake Fork of the Gunnison. Johnny also appreciated the value of friendship and community. He was a very active member in a number of social clubs including the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, International Footprint Association, Rocky Mountain Quarter Midget Association, Old Goats, West High School Alumni Association, and Scoutmaster for Cub Scout Pack 363 in Edgewater. His keen sense of humor, quick wit, and an ability to deliver fantastically amusing anecdotes brought countless smiles and laughs to many a social function. Johnny was not only an extraordinary people-person but he had a great affinity for animals as well. With his fondness for his animal friends and his kind, gentle, nature Johnny became well-known for the companionship he developed and enjoyed with the pet friends in his life. For Johnny however, there was nothing at all about his life’s incredible journey that was nearly as rewarding and meaningful as was the time shared with his family. Johnny wore many hats in the role of family man. Much more than simply a provider, Johnny was also a guardian, teacher, confidante, coach, handyman, mechanic, leader, friend, and patriarch. Throughout his life and right up to his passing, Johnny valued nothing more than his role as husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Johnny had a very loving, special, and unique relationship with each of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. When his oldest child, daughter Pie, became involved in the Westernaires Johnny took a step out of his city shoes to purchase a horse for her and learn how to care for it. Many of us are familiar with the relationship he had with his son John Jr. He and Junior worked side by side for decades in the cramped little machine shop bearing Johnny’s father’s name, Romey’s. Just as Johnny had done with Junior and would eventually do with his three oldest grandchildren, Johnny and his youngest daughter, Susan spent years worth of weekends and traveled the country competing in the Quarter Midgets of America. One of Johnny’s proudest moments was the day he proudly walked his daughter Susan down the aisle watched as she married her wonderful and loving husband Marcos. Even with all the love and support he showered on his three beloved children, Johnny still had plenty left to share with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In a selfless and commendable act, Johnny sacrifice much of his empty nest years when he took his two oldest grandchildren into his home and raised them as his own sons. The eldest of the two, Randall, would become Johnny’s fishing sidekick and the two would spend many wonderful days on the river together. Sean, the youngest of the two grandchildren that came to live with Johnny could always count on seeing his grandpa in stands at his baseball games or wrenching on the quarter midget in the pits. Johnny and his grandson Jeffrey also spent many weekends together at the racetrack or chatting and telling jokes at holiday parties. His two granddaughters, Chantal and Cielo, developed a passion for competitive cheerleading and Johnny became an instant fan and could often be heard speaking proudly of how talented the girls were at their sport. Diego, the youngest of the grandchildren, is a talented football player and Johnny was always on the sideline cheering him on. Somehow Johnny had enough love and happiness to spread to three children and six grandchildren. Apparently he still had some left in the tank because he stuck around long enough to see the birth of his great-granddaughters, Phoenix and Isabel. While his time with them was all too short, you could see in his face the joy they brought to him when they would visit. If one were to have opportunity to ask Johnny to share with us, the one thing in his life which he was always most passionate about, and which perfectly defined who he was a man he would, without hesitation, reveal this one thing to be his love and devotion to his wife, Mary Ann, and the incredibly wonderful and beautiful marriage, which, for 60 magnificent years they held sacred and nurtured with unwavering commitment. Johnny, you made 82 trips around this sun of ours and you never wasted a single second. You imparted unto each of us so much knowledge and wisdom. You so happily and selflessly devoted so much of the time you had in this life to care for us, provide for us, and to share with us your unconditional love. So, we salute Johnny Pedroza and we declare the immeasurable and everlasting love that each of hold in our hearts for you. We promise to hold you in our hearts and souls and to honor your memory. We all love you so very, very much. Survived by his wife of 60 years Mary Ann, Daughter Pie, Son John Jr and Spouse Becky, Daughter Susan and Spouse Marcos, Grandson Randall and Spouse Allison, Grandson Sean, Grandson Jeffrey, Granddaughter Chantal, Granddaughter Cielo, Grandson Diego, Great-granddaughter Phoenix, Great-granddaughter Isabel, Sister Victoria Killingback, and Half-sister Jeanie Cimino Preceded in death by Mother Rose and Father Romey