John Modig

John Merlyn Modig 

August 26, 1939 - September 5, 2026 

Some people ‘exist’ in their lives, while others live life to their fullest. They make an impact on others’ lives, take chances, ignore the word ‘no’ and forge on to succeed; and occasionally fail, only to try again. That kind of person does things, because whatever needs to be done, will be done, because it’s the ‘right thing to do’. This describes the way John Merlyn Modig lived his life. 

He was born to Edna Modig (Silver-Dalsant-Rankin) and Merlyn Modig in Chadron, NE. John was in the middle of the six children: Richard (Connie) Modig (both deceased) of Fridley, MN, Helen (William) Horton (both deceased) of Wheatridge, CO, Dorothy (George) Janich (both deceased) of Brighton, CO, Allen (Patty) Modig (both deceased) of Thornton, CO, and James (Jeanne) Modig of Bakersfield, CA. The entire family had strong work ethics and values, as each of these family members made huge impacts in each of their career paths. All but two attended college, including both of their parents. 

While growing up, they lived directly across the street from the main doors of Smiley Jr. High School in Denver. As they got older, they rode the trolley cars to attend East High School, also in Denver. While in high school, John met Judith Lorraine (Eckert-ModigHoffman) of Lakewood, CO, and were married in February 1958. November of 1958, they brought their first son, Robert (Toni) Modig, into this world in Denver, CO. John joined the United States Navy and was stationed in Beeville, TX. Jack Modig (deceased) joined them in October 1959. Upon finishing John’s basic training, they were sent back to Denver, where he served in the reserves at Buckley Air Force Base from 1961-64. After John and Judith’s return to Colorado, they welcomed their youngest, Jean (Wyly) Jones (Modig-O’Connor) in June 1961. Neither John nor Judith attended college. A family member offered them the opportunity to move from their rental property on 33rd and Pontiac St, into a family owned rental property on 20th and Birch St.

 John Modig began a career working as a salesman for Dennison Eastman in 1965, selling tags and labels. A job that he’d interviewed for, botched the interview, and then went for a cup of coffee and ran into the man whom he had interviewed with. John felt that since he had completely blown, this was God’s second chance at this position and he had better take this opportunity. Upon John’s request, he not only gave him a second chance, he gave him the job. This began his commitment to the printing industry. 

It also motivated him with the desire never to work for someone else again. That he would be the one who holds the cards for his own destiny. So he began his own label, tags, decals and forms printing business, on July 7, 1977, giving him inspiration to name the company Quad Seven Printed Communications, Inc. It also motivated him to save enough money to purchase the buildings he would work out of, in order to be able to have some control over the business’ overhead costs.

 In 1969, John Modig’s world changed. At the time, it felt as though he was losing everything. He had been fired from Dennison Eastman, he was marriage had fallen apart, his children moved 30 miles away and he was living in the attic of an office building, that his ‘first real best friend’, Neal Smith Jr., (deceased) had offered John. There was no shower, furniture, phone, television; he had slept on the floor, as there was not even a bed. He had to go down three floors simply to use the restroom. Obviously, there needed to be some changes in his life. Needing to shower, began a primordial need for John. In a search to accommodate this desire to live and give a better life, he started what became a 50 year membership with the Central YMCA.

 It was at the YMCA where he began, what would become, a love of volunteering and philanthropy. In the process, John became a various committee members and board members, during those many years there. He also had fun working out. During those workouts, he met his ‘second lifetime best friend’ of over 35 years, Bob Belica, during his 5AM, daily workouts. They began going to breakfast together on Saturday mornings at the Red Rooster Cafe, which they were still doing until just two weeks before John’s passing. Over the years, Rick Cornish, Roger Squire and John’s son, Bob Modig, joined in the camaraderie at the weekly gatherings. Business, life, adventures, politics, and many other intelligent conversations were shared; all interspersed with a laughter. 

John Modig’s diligence afforded him the ability to purchase property in the Globeville Neighborhood, and move his business to a more centralized location. This move also began a commitment of helping at Garden Place Academy with the school committees, staff and the administration. These actions grew into the desire to help their students to see that everyone has the opportunity to see out side of, what seems to be, a world of limited choices, hopes and opportunities. That, being a citizen of the United States of America, we all have the ability to choose our destinations; to work hard to make your personal dreams come true. John was the ‘American Dream’. There is a huge world out of the parameters of your neighborhood and two interstates. It’s all up to each of us to find that desire and to commit to working hard, in order to achieve those goals. 

The dilemma became, "how do I share with these kids, that these dreams can be attained?" John sat down with some of the staff and presented an idea, that not only accepted his presentation, but they all worked together to implement numerous opportunities. The first of these opportunities, was to help with the hiring process of numerous ‘key’ candidates in promoting growth within Garden Place Academy. From that point, John Modig, Alvina Lujan Crouse, Adam Smith, Stan Reynolds, Dick Whipple and Ken "Boogie" Mondragon worked together on NUMEROUS projects in order to achieve these examples. Examples that included acts of generosity and philanthropy. Here are just a few of the impacts these outstanding community members were able to give to the Globeville Community over 20+, consecutive years: 

• The Fall Colorado Tour Trip for the entire Fifth Grade (all expenses paid for every fifth grader, including transportation, meals, rooms, and entrance to Garden of the Gods, Royal Gorge, Great Sand Dunes, Durango —Silverton Cog Railway, Mesa Verde National Park, Dinosaur Museum, Glenwood Springs Hot Sulphur Springs Pool.)

 • Shrine Circus Field Trip for the entire school for floor seats and a souvenir toy 

• Fourth Grade Signature Rock, Burlington Carousel Day Trip

• Globeville Community Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway 

• Childrens’ Christmas Toy Giveaway 

John Modig’s story continues, as he became very motivated to rebuild and reopen Tiny Town in Morrison, Colorado. He worked diligently with Elvira (and the many committed staff and volunteers) in order to recreate various historical buildings and dwellings from around the Colorado Front Range. Each of the over 100 homes, was chosen, configured, designed, and constructed by individual donors, to be miniaturized to 1/6 scale of the original buildings, for the enjoyment of children. John made and donated 4 of the buildings currently on the grounds. When they first opened Tiny Town in 1986, the property was used to raise money for many of the children’s non-profit organizations in the Denver Metro Area. Later, the team at Tiny Town, added a steam engine train ride for the families to be able to take a leisurely tour the grounds. After 10 years, a realtor-investor chose to reclaim the property and restructuring it to become a for profit amusement park. This reclaiming did not change the character and love of the buildings original purposes. While seasonal hours, it is still operating and open to the public at the time of John’s passing. 

John employed a small staff of dedicated employees, including Sandy Tolve (1990), Patricia Bullock (1985), Denis Iler (1982), Greg Barbour (2012) and Joan Iler (2015). Former employees include Bob Modig, Jean Jones, Elain Modig and others. Included in their typical work, they helped with the organization and execution of these impactful contributions from John’s motivating actions, as stated above. 

John remarried in 1979, to Elain Crawford (Coates), who brought with her a daughter, Christine "Tina" Mata (Crawford) of San Antonio, TX and a son, Matthew Crawford. John and Elain enjoyed international travels, road trips, motorcycles, strolls, laughter, families, and ice creams together over their 42 years of marriage. She passed away in 2021. John continued to say how he enjoyed her company and thought that she "was one of the most honest, good, loving and giving women" he had ever known. 

John was also a devoted man to each of his children, nephews, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved sharing his love of adventures, travel, history, humor, telephone calls and meals with each of them. John will be missed by many, but his legacies will continue on through all of his devotion, dedication and commitments throughout his life. 

The services for John Merlyn Modig will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Friday, October 9, 2026 and he will beside his son, Jack Merlyn Modig within the crematory wall.