Loel Gene Wooldridge, Age 78, of Fort Collins Colorado, passed away suddenly on December 12th, at home.

Loel was born September 23, 1947 in Charles City, Iowa, the son of Gene Wooldridge and Virginia Young Wooldridge. Growing up with four younger siblings, swimming and playing outdoors with one another were the primary sources of fun, and the kids became each other’s best friends due to several family moves.  At an early age, Loel showed the sense of fairness and responsibility he carried throughout his life.  As the oldest sibling, he was sometimes asked to watch over the rest of his brothers and sister, a charge he took on with a light but sure hand, and this trait extended throughout his life.  The most striking example of that was his decision to sign up for military service during the Vietnam war, without being drafted, because he felt it wouldn’t be right for him to stay safely at home while others put themselves in harm’s way.

Loel graduated from Poudre High School in Fort Collins in 1965, then attended Mankato State University studying Aeronautical Engineering until enlisting in the Air Force.

Loel joined the US Air Force April 28th 1966 and served in South Vietnam until honorably discharged in 1970. He attained the rank of Staff Sergent, responsible for radio operations of point to point radios in combat.

Loel married Jan Garretson Hawn on February 7, 1986 in Fort Collins, Colorado, They were friends before they decided to ‘marry their fortunes together’ (as Simon and Garfunkel would say).  For 45 years, they have been partners in everything and loved each other through whatever life brought their way. They enjoyed going to many rock or blues concerts together, especially at Red Rocks and other outdoor venues.  In recent years, the shows were more likely to be in Fort Collins, as the musical talent and venues in Fort Collins have rivaled Denver’s shows. 

Loel worked in the automotive industry for over twenty years, as a mechanic, parts manager, and service manager.  He won many service awards for Ed Carroll Motor Company. along with personal awards recognizing his commitment to quality customer service.  He became interested in computers  in the 1980’s, when desktop computers running MS-DOS were cutting edge technology.  After taking classes through Front Range Community College, he transitioned to employment as a Network Administrator and technical support for small businesses.  Loel was then employed at CSU’s College of Vet Med and Biomedical Science from 1997 to 2013 as a Network Administrator.  He finished his career at the College of Business as Infrastructure Coordinator in February 2017.  For Loel, working with the bright, analytical researchers in the College of Vet Medicine, and collaborating across departmental boundaries were the most meaningful parts of his CSU profession. 

Any time the opportunity came up, Loel loved to hike in the foothills and mountains near Fort Collins.  Throughout his life, he loved swimming, running, cross country skiing, long bike rides, and motorcycle rides with close friends.   Above all, he valued time with his family.  He will be remembered by many friends and by his family for a long, long time.

Remaining to cherish Loel’s memory are his wife, Jan Hawn, son, Gabriel Hawn, and granddaughter, Selena; brother Kevin Wooldridge (Sandy); sister, Lisa Eakins (Tom); nieces Jennifer Markotay(Adam) and Heather Walker (Steve); sister in law Sue Wooldridge; Nephews Michael Williamson and Brian Craig (Lori); grand-nieces Lily, Paige, Lyanna, Cristy and Cassie, and grand-nephew Lucas as well as many more family members and friends.

Preceding Loel in death are his parents, Gene and Virginia Wooldridge; brothers, Dana Wooldridge and Jeffrey Wooldridge; and niece Amanda Taylor Wooldridge.

A remembrance and celebration of Loel’s life will be announced at a future date. 

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.https://vesseyfuneralservice.com

 Memorial donations in Loel’s memory may be directed to Radio Station KRFC or to Planned Parenthood.