Jack didn't want a formal memorial service held for him, but he recognized that a person's legacy is what they leave behind in the memories, hearts, and souls of those who knew and loved them. In that spirit, the family asks that people use this memorial site to share some of their memories of him.
Jack Bryan Molden, a 26-year resident of Woodland Park, CO, passed away on Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at the age of 87.
Jack was born to parents Peter and Florence Molden on December 9, 1929 in Sioux City, IA. He grew up in Wichita, KS, with his older sister Joy (Molden) Popish and younger brother Don Molden.
Jack joined the U.S. Navy in 1948 and served in the Korean War with the Underwater Demolition Team One, and was in the reserves until 1990 when he retired as a Lieutenant Commander. He received his undergraduate degree from Wichita State University and his Masters Degree from Emporia State. Jack gave 35 years of distinguished service to law enforcement, including as a criminal investigator with the U.S. Treasury Department’s ATF division in Minneapolis, MN; active duty police officer in Wichita, KS; Chief of Police in Emporia, KS, from 1963 to 1970; FBI National Academy Graduate in 1968; Police Training Institute Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois from 1970 to 1989; NAFTO Life Membership for Achievement in Law Enforcement Training in 1995; Lifetime Achievement Award from Police Writers Club in 1996; and owned his own police training and consulting company for 5 years.
Jack was a loving husband to his wife of almost 40 years, Carole B. Molden, proud father of Michael J. Molden, Douglas S. Molden, Todd G. Barton and Paige B. Tanis, and beloved grandfather to Javan, Brinley & Ryland Barton, Jessica & Joshua Tanis and Michael & John Molden.
If you would like to give a gift in honor of Jack, please send donations to a favorite charity of his, the Woodland Park Community Cupboard (wpcommunitycupboard.org).
Tributes
Leave a tribute"The only Easy day was Yesterday!"
Doc Rio
We quite often remember little sayings, stories or actions of Jack.
We are thankful we knew him!
Love, Angie & Marshall Warren
As Marshall said, we are very grateful to have known and loved him. He was such a role model for us. He truly left a legacy with us in the short time we knew him and we will miss him terribly.
Our love goes out to Carole and the rest of the family... ❤️
Angie & Marshall
While his passing was sudden, his example for us is forever. We are left with such positive and encouraging memories and we will miss him. I am a better man knowing him and I am blessed that God put him in my life for a short time. I pray the family will cherish the memories and please call on us for anything.
Lord Bless,
Marshall and Angie
We were able to visit them again briefly last summer, and learned that he was still playing handball. What an inspiration.
We regularly exchanged emails until two days before he passed on, including making plans to visit the National Museum of World War II Aviation on our next visit. I’m so sorry that we won’t be able to do that together.
For years, we and our children referred to him as “Big Jack Molden.” To paraphrase a favorite phrase from the obituary of a close friend of my family who was also in the military, “Your watch is over, Lieutenant Commander. We'll take it from here.” But it won’t be the same.
Kip
With some men, you can sense the weight of their soul in their eyes. Their experiences dwell there hidden, yet shown to those with eyes to see. Some call this the "thousand yard stare". Jack had that look. You could tell that everything He looked at, he actually saw. My kindred spirit. Someone who made it through to the other side of this "Noble profession" with his soul intact, and a life filled with joy(family). God willing, I will be as fit, and present, and active, and alive, and young when I am 87 years old!!!! Well done Uncle Jack. To a life well lived. Thank you for your service. Thank you for taking such good care of those closest to you.
May your Rest in Peace in Frogman Heaven
where we will all muster some day.
I'll see ya among God and all his angels.
HooYah !
Doc Erasmo Riojas
During this past week we have been sharing with each other all of the memories that we have of the good times we spent over the decades with you and Jack. We are so thankful to have been friends with both of you and to have the opportunity to know your wonderful family. Though Jack will be missed, we will always keep him in the place in our hearts reserved for the most special people in our lives.
Love,
Jim and Sally
These were not just empty words for Jack but were the standards he lived by.
His deployment as a Navy "frogman", now called Seals and his life as a police officer were hallmarks of his dedication to Duty. Honor. Country.
Our thoughts are with the entire family as they carry on his legacy.
- Laura Parker and family
Leave a Tribute
"The only Easy day was Yesterday!"
Doc Rio
Grandpa Jack
Some of my favorite memories of Grandpa are: baking him his favorite sweets - cookies, empanadas, chocolate cake; him telling me all about the jobs he had and showing me his scrapbook photos; him letting me try on his Navy uniform hat and his old-time British Bobby hat; him letting us keep our sand toys with his tool bench at the cabin (so we could "work" together); his bowl of Jolly Ranchers that only had green apple left because me and Josh would eat all of the other flavors; playing horseshoes with him at the cabin and him teaching me the solitaire marble game; and him taking me and Josh for ice cream cones at McDonald's whenever he picked us up from school. I'm going to miss him!
Janice and I were so shocked and saddened to hear of uncle Jack's passing as were my son and daughter, Garrett and Lisa.
The picture that I posted is one that I will keep and treasure forever. We thank God that we made that trip to see you guys, both for my Mom who passed away a few months later and for Jack. That's the last picture that we have of them together.
Jack will forever be in our hearts. We miss him.
Carol, if there is anything that we can do for you please don't hesitate to call. I know that Mom and Jack are together in Heaven, probably having a glass of wine.
Memories of my Grandpa
Just a few of my memories of Grandpa Jack: 1. I remember him having a big jar of jolly ranchers in his old house. 2. He would play checkers with me. 3. He had a really nice pair of binoculars, and we would watch golfers in the summer. 4. We used to ride our bikes along their street. 5. He would pass the football with me. 6. At the cabin we would pretend he was a monster and we would put coasters on his joints to neutralize him so he couldn’t attack us. 7. At the cabin he would let me split wood and it was really fun. 8. He could make a cool noise that sounded like a crow. 9. I remember he would open his eyes really wide and it would make us all laugh. 10. I also remember trying to teach him chess. 11. I remember when he surprised us at the airport when it was late. 12. I remember taking walks with him in the front of their house in the trees. I would break branches and he would jokingly say, "What did the tree ever do to you?!?" 13. I also remember when we would go find golf balls in their backyard. 14. At the cabin we would play all kinds of board games. 15. At the cabin we would sit on their couch and watch tv together. 16. We also would sit by the fire roasting marshmallows and drinking hot cocoa.