OBITUARIES

Stephen Patrick Scarano

January 28, 1949 - December 25, 2022

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our family’s beloved patriarch, Stephen P. Scarano. He departed peacefully from this life on Christmas night, surrounded by his girls after a valiant, yet brief, battle with cancer.

Steve is survived by his three daughtersGeneva, Taysia, and Allegra - and his three granddaughters - Nieya, Luca, and Isla; he leaves behind his wife Cheryll Scherer, brother Lenny Scarano, son-in-law Kris MacDonald, and former wife and mother to his daughters, Alexandra Jaeckel.

Steve grew up in North Caldwell, New Jersey where he graduated from West Essex High School class of 1968. He then attended e University of Nebraska, followed by e Brook’s Institute of Photography in Santa Barbara, California.

Steve was a world traveler; a man of adventure and opportunity. He embraced life’s challenges with courage and determination. After settling in the foothills

VARNADOE of Colorado, he founded a successful executive search company. Eventually Steve’s passion for y shing led him to purchase “ e Platte River Cabins,” a historic property in Pine, Colorado, which he beautifully restored and opened as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. In his later years, Steve built a rewarding career in real estate with Keller Williams. e family with be holding a celebration of his life at Pine Valley Ranch in Pine, Colorado on June 11th, 2023.

Steve valued tradition, a strong work ethic and his Italian heritage. He was known for his impeccable style and most often seen wearing a suit, except when at the river, with a rod and reel in hand. His infectious smile and zest for life characterized his approach to every day, which he lived to the fullest.

He was a devoted father and friend. He will be sorely missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

W. Keith Varnadoe

June 25, 1955 - January 25, 2023

W. Keith Varnadoe, 67 of Bailey, Colorado became absent from the body and present with the Lord on Wednesday, January 25, 2023.

He was born June 25, 1955 at Flagler Hospital, St Augustine, FL to Merle and Harry Varnadoe. He grew up in Palatka, FL, then moved with his family to Clinton, MS and Fort Worth, TX, while his Dad was attending college and seminary. en they moved to Arcadia, FL where they lived for 5 years before moving back to Palatka. Keith graduated from Palatka Central High School in 1973. After graduation he attended the Bell & Howell School for Electronics in Atlanta, GA.

Keith returned to Florida after school and worked in the construction industry and that remained his career until the time of his passing. He loved to work with his hands. Building things was his passion. He also loved the outdoors and loved to hunt and sh.

Family was so important to Keith and he loved being back home with his family in FL every chance he got.

Keith was an elder in his church, Church of the Hills in Evergreen, CO and his church family was very special to him. He wore many hats at the church and loved doing whatever was needed there to serve the Lord.

Keith is survived by his mother, Merle Cannon Varnadoe, his brother, Je Varnadoe

(LoraLee) and sister, Marsha Varnadoe Rain, nieces, Lindsay VanLandingham, Kailah Rain and Taylor Rain, nephew, Scott Varnadoe, aunts, Ona McLean, Edna Bell and Betty Sue Varnadoe, numerous cousins, some of whom were like siblings to him, best friend, Katie Hunter, and her son Christian Hunter, who was his business partner and was like a son to Keith.

Keith is preceded in death by his father, William Harry Varnadoe, maternal grandparents, Kirby & Mabel Cannon, paternal grandparents E e Mae Leaptrot Varnadoe & James Paschall Varnadoe. Memorial service will be Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Francis Baptist Church. Visitation will be at 10 am with the service beginning at 11 am. Pastors Jason Sharp and Buddy Lynch will o ciate. Burial will follow at Oak Hill East Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully accepted, or memorial gifts may be made in his name to the Francis Baptist Church Building Fund, 155 CR 309C, Palatka, FL 32177 or Church of the Hills, 28628 Bu alo Park Road, Evergreen, CO 80439 (Memorial Fund).

Memories and condolences may be expressed to the family at Keith’s Book of Memories page at www.johnsonovertur unerals.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to JohnsonOverturf Funeral Home in Palatka.

Debit Card – $3.95 per property tax payment

E-Checks – No Charge

For more information about thirdparty vendor fees, please contact the Treasurer’s O ce at 303-271-8330.

*As a result of the passage of SB21293 (in 2021), and due to the failure of Proposition 120, changes to the property tax assessment rates will take e ect for tax year 2022 payable 2023. e passage of SB22-238 (in 2022) changed the assessment rates for tax years 2023, 2024 and 2025.

As you can see in the chart (at-

DRAGE tached), property tax rates decrease depending on the property type and scal year. Generally speaking, most residential property tax bills will be less in Je Co (approx. $25-$100 less) when they are mailed in January/2023 by the Treasurer’s O ce.

*Please note that some properties may not see a decrease in the property tax bill because of the circumstances of that speci c property.

Jerry DiTullio, Je Co Treasurer/ Public Trustee

303-271-8337 (O ce) www.je co.us/Treasurer

Charles Justus Drage

September 15, 1943 - January 7, 2023

On Saturday, January 7th, Charles “Chuck” Justus Drage, loving husband, dad, grandpa and brother, passed away at the age of 79. Chuck lived an incredibly abundant life, with no regrets and left a beautiful legacy.

Chuck was born on September 15, 1943, in Longmont, Colorado, to Eleanor and Roy Drage. His early years were spent in Crook, Colorado. It’s here that Chuck and his brothers, Bob and Donald as well as sister, Carolyn, lived the best of small town, rural community life. ey learned about true hard work, family values and the Grace of God. Life took the family to Longmont, where Chuck attended Longmont High School. He continued on to Colorado State University where he was involved in ROTC, and here he discovered his love of ying. He was very involved in all things music, to include being a talented trumpet player in multiple bands. He was an active member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Chuck was a Rams fan for life!

Soon after graduation, Chuck started pilot training at Vance Air Force Base, and then on December 18th, 1966, Chuck married his college sweetheart, Carol Ja ee. ey recently celebrated fty-six wonderful years of marriage.

In 1967, commitment to service and love of country took Chuck and Carol to Beale Air Force Base in California. He was a proud Air Force pilot and served in the Vietnam War. Upon completion of his military service, he joined American Airlines and enjoyed thirty years as a commercial airline pilot on both domestic and international routes. Chuck absolutely loved his job and forever recognized the rare fortune of really doing what you enjoy.

Life with American Airlines lead Chuck and Carol to Crystal Lake, Illinois. It’s here that they raised three children; Stephanie, Scott and Brent, and they were the pride of his life. He was actively involved in all areas of their lives and held many roles, some to include soccer coach, scout leader, running partner, homework helper, ski buddy, faith leader, supportive and loving parent, and overwhelming in uence of all that is good.

Chuck and Carol had the good fortune of returning to their beloved Colorado in 1998, and settled in Evergreen. is chapter was a favorite in Chuck’s life and he reveled in being back home, able to pursue retirement adventures and spend time with Carol and surrounding family. Chuck was an athlete; an avid runner, hiker and skier, he tackled adventures across Colorado and beyond. Together they traveled Colorado, the US and numerous countries around the world. He was blessed with the ability to be intimately involved in the lives of his two granddaughters, Sophie and Lindsay and grandson, Benjamin, and attended hundreds of piano and violin recitals, holiday plays and musicals, soccer games and ski races, class events and eld trips. He was 100% present in their lives and considered every moment with these kids to be precious.

Chuck is profoundly missed by all who loved him. He touched the lives of many and always asked how he may help others, with no expectation of anything in return. One great friend best described how we feel, with the following words, “We pray for strength to live life like Chuck would, smiling, helping others and caring genuinely.”

He loved God and attended Rockland Community Church and served generously in leadership roles for many years.

He loved his family, to include his wife, kids, grandkids, siblings, pets and others near and far.

He loved his country, Colorado and community, fought for freedom, volunteered endlessly, and embraced conservatism and the Republican party.

He expressed his love for all of these, every day, with unapologetic strength and pride.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Eleanor Drage. He is survived by his wife Carol Drage, daughter Stephanie Seybold(Tom), sons Scott Drage and Brent Drage(Jane), granddaughters Sophie and Lindsay Seybold, grandson Benjamin Drage, brothers Robert Drage(Sue), Donald Drage( Kristie), sister Carolyn Crawford(John) and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 22 at 1pm at Rockland Community Church in Golden.

In lieu of owers, donations may be made to Rockland Community Church, Tunnels to Towers Foundation and Evergreen Animal Protective League in Chuck’s honor.