Craig Dolezal
J. Craig Dolezal was born Dec. 25, 1950, in Julesburg to Charles and Izora (Evans) Dolezal. Craig died March 15, 2022, at the age of 71 while surrounded by his family at Lutheran Medical Center in Wheat Ridge.
Craig graduated from Julesburg High School with the class of 1969. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Colorado State University in Fort Collins in 1973 and his master’s in banking from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1986.
On March 10, 1973, Craig married Linda Schuler in Julesburg at the United Methodist Church. They made their home in Longmont for several years, where Craig worked at United Bank. Craig and Linda were blessed with two sons, Chris and Carleton.
The family settled in Julesburg in 1981, where Craig continued to work in banking before serving as the executive director of the Sedgwick County Economic Development Board. Craig would go on to become the joint owner and manager of South Platte Agri-Feeders in Sedgwick before starting a retail venture in downtown Julesburg in 1992.
Craig spent the next eight years in operations and staff management with George S. May before entering the field of financial management for UBS. Craig went out on his own in 2009 when he founded JCD Wealth Management, LLC.
Over the years, he volunteered in numerous capacities throughout Sedgwick County. In 2017, Craig was appointed judge of the Sedgwick County Court in the 13th Judicial District, for which his family was extremely proud.
Craig was an avid sports fan but had a particular interest in high school and college basketball. He liked to play golf when he got the chance. Craig loved to stay up late talking with family, enjoyed the occasional rib eye, donuts and always had a cup of coffee in his hand.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister and brother-in-law, Susan (Dolezal) and Thomas Buckingham.
Craig is survived by his wife, Linda of Julesburg; two sons, Chris Dolezal of Westminster and Carleton Dolezal and Natalie Swanson of Littleton; grandchildren, Ella, Jace and Charlie Dolezal; and many other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be held Friday, March 25, at 10:30 a.m. at Julesburg United Methodist Church, with Pastor Jacob Keega officiating. A reception will follow at the Hippodrome Arts Centre in the Etcetera Room. Inurnment will be at the Julesburg Hillside Cemetery.
Donations may be made to the Julesburg High School band program in Craig’s memory.
Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsjulesburg.com.
Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Julesburg oversees arrangements.