Joe Wilkes - December 19, 2011
He graduated from Arvada High School where he had won the Forty Horseman Award for best high school athlete in football in 1969-1970. Joe also won All-State distinction for his contribution to the Arvada Redskins football team.
Joe was a retired restaurateur philanthropist. He was known for creating magical Christmases for less fortunate families. In years past, Joe would adopt a family, usually single mothers experiencing financial difficulties. He enjoyed anonymously leaving Christmas gifts and food on the porches of his adopted families.
He was preceded in death by his mother; a sister, Earlene; a brother, Donny; and his grandparents.
He is survived by his children, son Joe Wilkes II of Henderson and daughter Angela Macdonald of Eastham, Mass.; two grandsons, Cameron and Kyle Wilkes; father, Leon Wilkes of Phoenix, Ariz.; brothers, Victor Jech of Fort Worth, Texas and James Kruger of Las Vegas, Nev.; and his best friend and significant other, Ruth Ann Collier, whose love for Joe was unconditional.
Joe was loved by a great many people and will be missed by all who knew him.
A memorial service was held Dec. 29 at Gerk Funeral Home in Haxtun.
