James “Jim” John Dorobiala
1935-2015
James “Jim” Dorobiala, age 80, a loving husband, father, son, brother and friend to many, passed away on December 5, 2015. He resided in Colorado Springs for the past 43 years. Jim was born in Erie, Pennsylvania and graduated from Strong Vincent High School where he excelled in both academics and athletics. Jim continued his education at the University of Maryland and Bellevue College.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Winifred (Hazen) Dorobiala; and nephew, Bruce Dorobiala. He is survived by Irmgard, his wife of 58 years; 3 children: Gary Dorobiala (Victoria), Eric Dorobiala (Tanya) and Heidi Smith (Curt); unofficially adopted son Greg Hodges, and daughter Carmen Dye; 8 grandchildren, Garrett Dorobiala, Dayna Watts (Coby), Bobby Dorobiala, Keenan Maxwell, Tai Borgman (Bill), Sean Dorobiala, Gracie and Noah Smith; granddogs: Luna and Miss Beasley; four great-grandchildren: Landon and Austin Dorobiala, Tariana and Kehlan Watts; brother, Leon Dorobiala (Marge) of Melbourne, Florida; nephews: Jeff and Brian Dorobiala; and his beloved niece, Christiana. He was also preceded in death by his four-legged furry friends: Spooky, Tammy, Tammy II, Tanya, Misty, Sheba, Cheyenne, Shadow, Bandit, Keller and Maggie.
Jim’s life was long and eventful. After high school he enlisted in the Naval Reserve. He later joined the United States Air Force where he served for 20 years before retiring as a Master Sergeant. Jim was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Medal and the Occupation of Germany Medal. His career took him to numerous locations including Montana, Nebraska (2), England (2), Texas and Germany (2), where he met Irmgard while stationed in Bremerhaven. Jim and Irmgard established 19 homes during their military life. He instilled a loved for travel and different cultures in his children.
While serving in the Air Force in Omaha, Nebraska Jim excelled in commission sales at the J.C. Penney Company. He was offered a position at any store in the country after his retirement from the Air Force. This brought him to Colorado Springs in 1973. After several years he went to work for the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). Finally, in 1980 he opened Aspen Leaf Landscape Maintenance, a commercial grounds maintenance/landscaping company. Shortly thereafter Jim started Aspen Leaf Outdoor Power Equipment. He was active in the Professional Grounds Management Society (PGMS), Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC), The Apartment Association of Colorado Springs (AACS), Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) and the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).
Jim was outgoing, hardworking, somewhat salty, very opinionated, but at the same time, a loving and kind hearted man as evidenced by the many charitable endeavors he engaged in during his life. Jim was an avid reader, an animal lover, a Broncos fan and strong conservative who loved his country and all that it had to offer. Jim endeavored to be supportive of his childrens’ activities and seldom missed their concerts or sporting events.
Memorial service will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 11, 2015 at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel. Reception to follow at the Edelweiss Restaurant.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Pikes Peak Humane Society or the Wounded Warrior Project.