Elvin George Tufly
Marriages
Carolyn Kearns - December 30, 1962
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 6A - July 27, 2023
Elvin George Tufly of
Grand Junction passed away
peacefully July 22, 2023, at
the age of 84. He was born
May 21, 1939, to Hollis and
Jean Tufly in Steamboat
Springs, CO. He grew up
on several ranches around
Clark, CO including the creation of Vista Verde Ranch.
After graduating from
Steamboat High School in
1957, he joined the Air Force for three years where he met
some of his best buds. Elvin attended Mesa College (CMU)
in Grand Junction, CO where he sat behind a pretty, young
lady with long brown hair, Carolyn Kerns. They married
Dec. 30th, 1962, and recently celebrated their 60th wedding
anniversary.
Elvin started working as a lifeguard at Bookcliff
Country Club during the summer of 1962. He spent 15 winters of weekends volunteering with the National Ski Patrol
at Powderhorn Ski Area. His accounting career started at
the City of Grand Junction as a Meter Reader; he then became the Acting City Treasurer. In 1968, he started his
19-year career at Dixson Inc., becoming the Treasurer and
Director of Administration. Elvin served two terms on the
Grand Junction City Council; the youngest council member
elected. He concluded his career at Ricon Resins/Sartomer
as the Chief Operations Officer, retiring in 2004 to become
a Ranger at Redlands Mesa Golf Club.
Elvin loved the outdoors, adventure, and travel! He and
Carolyn traveled all over the world with friends and family
visiting exotic places to scuba dive and explore. For many
years you could find them at their cabin at Arrowhead.
Carolyn learned to ski, snowmobile, boat, golf, kayak and
snorkel to keep up.
Family was most important to Elvin. He and Carolyn
raised their son Clay Tufly (Grand Junction, CO) and
daughter Caron Tufly Kosters (Colorado Springs, CO) in
the valley, attending and supporting all their events. He
was so proud of all their accomplishments. Elvin’s granddaughters brought sunshine into his life. Carolyn was his
best friend.
Elvin is survived by his wife Carolyn Tufly, brother Roy
(Delene) Tufly, son Clay (Cassie) Tufly, granddaughters
Jordan Tufly, Ryann Tufly, Caitlin Tufly, Trin Lonergan,
Nyla Lonergan, daughter Caron (Mike) Kosters, Eric
(Renee) Kosters, Stephanie (Nick) Brooks and great-grandchildren Jaxon Brooks and Kendall Brooks.
A service will be held September 8, 2023 @ 10:00 AM
at The Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Patriot
Guard Riders: Wreaths Across America,
616 Lodgepole Street Grand Junction, CO 81504
