Donald J. Shosky

Donald John Shosky passed away at the age of 87 years old in Denver, Colorado on December 26, 2016. Don is survived by his wife of 62 years Shirley A. Shosky, five children, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Born in Arizona, Don grew up in southern Colorado within the towns of Pueblo and Walsenburg, Colorado. He attended St. Mary's High School and would soon enroll at Gonzaga University where he was the manager of the boxing team. Don finished his education at Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1952 when he earned a Bachelor degree in economics.

Shortly after finishing college, Don enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps in March 1952. He completed boot camp at Camp Pendleton in California and was then assigned to fight in the Korean War. Don served eight months of active frontline service during the Korean War from 1952-1953 until the armistice was signed. He returned home in 1954 and was honorably discharged in March of that year.

When Don returned home from the Korean War he met Shirley A. Gregory and they were married on May 14, 1955. Don and Shirley would later give life to five children over a time span of 10 years. He is survived by his wife, five children as well as eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Don started his professional career in 1955 when he started working as a draftsman for the Colorado Department of Highways. Don would later go on to pass the Civil Engineering test which allowed him to become a licensed professional engineer. Don was then assigned to the Bridge Design Section where he retired as a Senior Highway Bridge Engineer. He was fortunate to work on such award winning projects as Vail Pass, Eisenhower Tunnel and Glenwood Canyon as well as numerous other projects that are still viable today in our transportation system around the state of Colorado.

Throughout the years of his life, Don enjoyed camping, fishing, bowling, the horse races as well as watching the Denver Broncos where he was season ticket holder from 1961 to the time of his death.

One of Don's best traits as a person was his ability to help younger people in the neighborhood. He started a small lawn service business in which employed numerous young people of the neighborhood allowing for these individuals to have some money in their pocket and to learn the respect of a job. Another one of his best traits was his love for children as he and Shirley would house numerous individuals who were having problems at home with their parents or in some cases people who did not have active parents in their life. Don had conditions for staying at the Shosky house which included going to school or having a job, people talking to their parents and you had to stay out of trouble. Don and Shirley always made sure the kids within their house had lunch money and were loved as one of their own children.

There will be a memorial service for Don at Newcomer Funeral Home on January 6, 2017 at 12:00 P.M. with a celebration of life to follow at the VFW located at 2680 W. Hampden Ave. Don will be laid to rest at a private interment ceremony at Fort Logan on January 10, 2016.

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