“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
As we look back at the life of James Ted Pointer, it’s clear his 83+ years were blessed with a rewarding career, inspiring adventures and loving relationships with family and friends.
Born November 8, 1939, in Scottsbluff, NE to James and Gladys Pointer, Jim (or Jimmy Ted as a youngster) would make that town and the surrounding area in western Nebraska his home until leaving for college. An outstanding athlete in high school, Jim excelled on the football field, but was a star on the track & field team. His relay teams would collect many ribbons and medals as they set new records, and then proceeded to break those same records.
While attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Jim was a guitar player in the Sigma Chi Combo. His love of music carried on well beyond his college years, where he continued to play guitar and enjoy jazz music.
Upon graduation, Jim worked for IBM in Omaha, beginning a successful career in sales and sales management in the Information Technology field. He soon married Sandra Van Tassel and their son Jeff was born in 1964. Their second son, Jon, was born in 1966 soon after moving to Colorado. Jim re-married in 1977 to the love of his life, Melva June Whitis. He adopted Melva’s young daughter, Jacqueline, and became the stepfather to Melva’s older son, Bill.
Jim loved tennis and golf and was a car enthusiast. His most prized automobile was a 1964 356C Porsche. Lightweight and nimble-handling, Jim would fly around the Black Forest in that rear-wheel drive roadster with his children laughing and squealing from the tiny back seats.
But most important to Jim was his family. His true passion was encouraging, guiding, and spending time with those he loved most. Throughout his years as a son, as a brother and as a father, Jim gave freely of his time, his wisdom, his resources and, most of all, his love.
When Jim retired, he and Melva captured more experiences and visited more of nature’s playgrounds while traveling in their motorhome. After Melva passed away last spring, Jim moved to Sunrise of Westminster, Senior Living.
Jim departed suddenly, only a few days after an accident which left him unable to walk. Surrounded by his children, James Ted Pointer passed away peacefully April 15, 2023 in Westminster, CO.
Jim will always be cherished by friends and family. His legacy will continue in the lives he touched and the strong family he helped create.
Jim is survived by sons Jeff and Jon, daughter Jacqueline, stepson Bill, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents James and Gladyce Pointer; sister Jeanne Matthews; and wife Melva Pointer.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, April 26 at 1 p.m., at Olinger Funeral Cremation & Cemetery in Thornton, CO.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.olingerhighland.com for the Pointer family.