Cover photo for James "Mike" Templeton's Obituary
James "Mike" Templeton Profile Photo
1933 James 2015

James "Mike" Templeton

March 16, 1933 — September 8, 2015

James R. Templeton, known as Mike to friends and family passed away at home September 8, 2015.

Mike was born March 16,1933, the third child of William and Delphine Templeton, at home on Verbeck Island in the Allegheny River near Warren, PA. He grew up there, going to elementary school in Stoneham, PA and High School in Warren, PA. He started his working career at age 13, cooking hotdogs and hamburgers at a roadside stand, working at gas stations and car lots washing and maintaining the facilities, he later moved to Syracuse, NY with his family. There, he worked in the asbestos industry until the age of 19 when he joined the US Army, he became a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne and served honorably until his discharge in 1955. He then moved to Denver, CO where he trained in his lifelong vocation, building and maintaining Diesel equipment.

Mike met and married Garnett Brinkema of Amherst, CO. in 1958. They had 3 sons, Ben, John and Casey. Mike worked for Navajo Freightlines, Denver Chicago and Western Paving/LeFarge before moving to Salida, CO where he owned and operated his own diesel shop. He then returned to Denver in 1988 to manage the Western Paving maintenance shop evening shift until his retirement in 1996. He was a union member Machinist 606, a baptized and confirmed member of the Lutheran Church, a loving father and wonderful husband who will be missed terribly.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, son, John, and three brothers, Joseph, Clyde and Dennis.

He is survived and mourned by Garnett, his wife of 56 years; sons, Ben (Sherry) of Watkins, CO, and Casey of Venango, NE; and grandchildren, Brianna and Rachael, children of Ben and Sherry, and grandson Evan, son of John. He also leaves his brother Tom of Whittier, CA and sister Pat Sedillo of Arvada, CO.

Condolences may be sent to Box 120, Watkins, CO 80137 or shared at bullocklongfuneralhome.com.

Cremation was chosen and, as he requested, no services are planned. The family will rest his cremains in the Amherst Cemetery next to John.

Bullock-Long Funeral Home of Grant, NE is in charge of arrangements.
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