Jeffrey Vandiver Obituary

Jeffrey Hollis Vandiver, better known as Jeff was born in La Junta, Colorado October 24th, 1961. He was the first child of Harry & Claire Vandiver. He is survived by his wife Lorri of 32 years, his daughter Annelise Vandiver, his son John Vandiver, brother Jamie Vandiver, sister Lisa West, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and his dogs Penny Lane, Jingle Bells, Slim Pickens and a big Ohana. Jeff attended Durango High School in Durango, Colorado and Fort Lewis College where he earned a BA in Latin American History and Elementary Education and a minor in Spanish. He went on to attend UNC in Greeley and earned his master's degree in Reading.

Jeff grew up in Durango where he spent his time skiing and mountain biking. He loved the San Juan mountains, Purgatory ski area and spent many days exploring the Red Rocks of Southern Utah searching for petroglyphs and fishing the Pine and Animas Rivers.

During college Jeff spent his summers rafting the Animas River in Durango and the Nenana River in Denali National Park, Alaska. Jeff worked long hours on the Nenana and after work would have a beer or two or three at the pub. Jeff's college life was also peppered with FAC's at Farquahrts or the PUB on FLC's campus, hanging out with friends, dabbling in triathlons and riding Raider Ridge. He also taught elementary school in Anencuilco, Mexico.

After graduating from Fort Lewis College Jeff found his way to Utah where he taught elementary school for 5 years, his winters were spent skiing Snowbird, Snowbasin and Powder Mountain. Jeff's Summers were spent hiking the Wasatch Mountains with his canine companion Dugas, fishing Pineview Reservoir, mountain biking and exploring the pacific Northwest.

Jeff left Utah and headed for the Colorado Front Range after Annelise was born to be closer to family. Jeff taught at Prairie Ridge Elementary School and then ended his teaching career at Longs Peak Middle School where he taught Spanish, social studies, history and reading. Jeff was an enormous advocate of public education; he attempted to make learning fun for all kids in his classroom and tried to make each student feel a sense of accomplishment. Jeff's contribution to empowering young learners and creating an inclusive classroom environment led to many educational success stories in his St. Vrain community.

While living in Longmont Jeff could be found riding the many biking trails around town, going to garage sales or spending time at the cabin and fishing Beaver Lake. Jeff loved spending time in his back yard and having coffee club with his friends.

Jeff was always up for a captain and coke and never met a stranger, he could make small talk with anyone and was always in for a game of cards or Catan. Jeff loved his family, and his friends he was always cracking a joke and tried to find humor in everything. Even through Jeff's health battles the past 2 years Jeff always made jokes with his medical staff, and he remained optimistic and enthusiastic about living life to the very end. Jeff loved his dogs and always had room for them on his lap. Jeff did not wait to live his life; he grabbed life by the horns he experienced sunsets in Hawaii, the Aurora Borealis in Alaska, he marveled at the Redwoods in California, experienced the thrill of landing a halibut in the frigid waters of Juneau, sunrises in the Rocky Mountains, scuba diving in Cozumel, snorkeling in Honduras, the exhilaration of seeing a humpback whale breech, and the pride of raising two incredible kids, Jeff's life was a life well lived with purpose and a lasting impact on his community and in science.

We are proud of the life he lived and sad about the one he didn't.

A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion in Longmont, May 10, 2025, at 11am. 315 Bowen St., Longmont, CO. 80501. Please wear your favorite Hawaiian shirt and help us celebrate Jeff's life.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Rochester campus of the Mayo Clinic to support cancer research in memory of Jeff Vandiver.