December 10, 2021
Obituary
Michael John Jaquez, age 51, passed away on November 29, 2021 after a battle with COVID.
Born January 8, 1970 to Linda (Harl) and Ronald Jaquez in Cocoa Beach, Florida, the family moved to Colorado when Michael was three. After graduating from Campion SDA Academy in 1988, he attended Union College, where he began a friendship turned lifelong love affair with Shelley Peck, whom he married in 1997. Among his adventures in college, Michael spent a year teaching English in South Korea as a student missionary, made many close friends, and developed a deep passion for Jesus that would follow him throughout his life.
Following his completion of Bachelor of Arts degrees in Institutional Development and Communication in 1993, Michael taught himself web design and founded multiple online businesses. After the birth of his first child in 2001, Michael transitioned from independent consulting to working at the Arbor Day Foundation as a self-proclaimed “web guru” where he spent the remainder of his professional career. He was the proud father of three children - Sophia, Nathan, and David - with whom he instilled a legacy of intelligence, creativity, passion, kindness, and eternal love for God.
He was an active member of the SDA church, teaching Sabbath School classes, facilitating financial seminars, helping lead youth activities, and being an elder at College View Church. Michael demonstrated practical spirituality, investing in the lives of others and deeply impacting an uncountable number of people.
Michael also leaves behind a legacy as an eloquent, talented author and creator. His reputation as a flamboyant storyteller and humorous writer was a well-established fact. From poems for offering calls to puppet scripts for Sabbath School, his range of talent held every audience captivated. His songs for special events were legendary amongst his extended family. Michael’s “Christmas in July” letter was so popular that complete strangers were interested in reading it. The most incredible part? He used his gift to encourage others, through writing personal notes and letters.
His genius, humor, animation and energy drew people to Michael. He was a friend you could always count on, a father you could always come to, and a son who would always be there. He was the dedicated, consistent, spiritual presence for his home and family. Michael was dependable, reliable, and responsible, but more than that he was energetic, exciting, and larger than life.
Michael was predeceased by his father, Ron. He is survived by spouse Shelley; children Sophia, Nathan and David; mother Linda Jaquez; sister Julie Stone (CJ); nephews Scott (Andrea) Jaquez, Ethan Duroe, Owen Duroe, Eli Peck; nieces Alyx Stone, Molly McMichen, Emily Peck, and Brielle Peck; grand-niece Robin Jaquez; parents-in-law Bev and Chuck Peck; brothers-in-law Steven (Sarah) and Darrin Peck; sister-in-law Jackie Peck; and many extended family members. He will be remembered by all as a passionate man who loved the Lord with his whole heart.
Michael John Jaquez, age 51, passed away on November 29, 2021 after a battle with COVID.
Born January 8, 1970 to Linda (Harl) and Ronald Jaquez in Cocoa Beach, Florida, the family moved to Colorado when Michael was three. After graduating from Campion SDA Academy in 1988, he attended Union College, where he began a friendship turned lifelong love affair with Shelley Peck, whom he married in 1997. Among his adventures in college, Michael spent a year teaching English in South Korea as a student missionary, made many close friends, and developed a deep passion for Jesus that would follow him throughout his life.
Following his completion of Bachelor of Arts degrees in Institutional Development and Communication in 1993, Michael taught himself web design and founded multiple online businesses. After the birth of his first child in 2001, Michael transitioned from independent consulting to working at the Arbor Day Foundation as a self-proclaimed “web guru” where he spent the remainder of his professional career. He was the proud father of three children - Sophia, Nathan, and David - with whom he instilled a legacy of intelligence, creativity, passion, kindness, and eternal love for God.
He was an active member of the SDA church, teaching Sabbath School classes, facilitating financial seminars, helping lead youth activities, and being an elder at College View Church. Michael demonstrated practical spirituality, investing in the lives of others and deeply impacting an uncountable number of people.
Michael also leaves behind a legacy as an eloquent, talented author and creator. His reputation as a flamboyant storyteller and humorous writer was a well-established fact. From poems for offering calls to puppet scripts for Sabbath School, his range of talent held every audience captivated. His songs for special events were legendary amongst his extended family. Michael’s “Christmas in July” letter was so popular that complete strangers were interested in reading it. The most incredible part? He used his gift to encourage others, through writing personal notes and letters.
His genius, humor, animation and energy drew people to Michael. He was a friend you could always count on, a father you could always come to, and a son who would always be there. He was the dedicated, consistent, spiritual presence for his home and family. Michael was dependable, reliable, and responsible, but more than that he was energetic, exciting, and larger than life.
Michael was predeceased by his father, Ron. He is survived by spouse Shelley; children Sophia, Nathan and David; mother Linda Jaquez; sister Julie Stone (CJ); nephews Scott (Andrea) Jaquez, Ethan Duroe, Owen Duroe, Eli Peck; nieces Alyx Stone, Molly McMichen, Emily Peck, and Brielle Peck; grand-niece Robin Jaquez; parents-in-law Bev and Chuck Peck; brothers-in-law Steven (Sarah) and Darrin Peck; sister-in-law Jackie Peck; and many extended family members. He will be remembered by all as a passionate man who loved the Lord with his whole heart.