John F. Wire

John F. Wire

January 16, 1937 ~ April 28, 2015

John F. Wire, age 78, of Montrose, Colorado took the Lord’s hand when he called him home on April 28, 2015 at his home.  John was born January 16, 1937 to John A. and Florence (Maurer) Wire in Denver, CO.  He spent his childhood in Meeker, CO., but graduated from Montrose High School.

John’s lengthy aviation career began when he joined the United States Navy.  He served his country from 1955 to 1959. After graduating from electronics school he was assigned to a naval air detachment based in Bermuda.  For the next three years John served as a radioman/flight crew member on Martin Marlin seaplanes, logging over 1,200 hours on rescue and anti-submarine patrols until his discharge in November 1959.

John went to work for the Grumman Corporation in Long Island, NY. His early assignments included avionics and autopilot projects on certain aircrafts. John advanced to flight test operations where he spent 1 ½ years with Gulfstream II prototype aircraft.  In 1969 John served as the company’s analyst, before shifting to the helicopter group and then promoted to Group Leader in 1978.  He eventually advanced to the post of Manager of Operations before being selected to head the quality control operations and worked up until his retirement.

John married Dorothy I. Waugh Westerman on June 25, 2011 in Montrose, where they resided until John’s time of death.

An avid outdoorsman, John loved surf fishing for striped bass, hunting and target shooting.  He also enjoyed  bowling, dancing and spending time with his family.

Surviving family members include  his teenage sweetheart and sole mate, Dorothy; son, Greg Wire (Michele Reid) of Long Island, NY; stepson, David (Mathilda) Westerman of Alamosa, CO; daughter, Jeanine Biot (Eliot Halliday) of Long Island, NY; stepdaughter, Deborah (Matthew) Vogler of Montrose, CO; a brother, David (Dottie) Wire of Aurora, CO. and sister, Mary (Larry) Huwa of Fort Collins, CO; grandchildren, Rachel, Justin, Nicholas, Thomas John, Angel and Ava; step-grandchildren, Jennifer, Steven, Matthew, Kristina, Kayleigh and Marissa; and nine step-grandchildren.  John was preceded in death by a son, Raymond and his parents.

A visitation for family and friends will be Tuesday, May 5th from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel.  The funeral service for John is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Paul Nystrom and brother, Dave Wire will co-officiate  A Graveside Service with military honors and Elk Ritual Team at Cedar Cemetery, on east Miami.  A Potluck reception will follow the graveside service at the Elk’s Lodge in Montrose.  Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.