Charles McJilton

August 11, 2020

Charles DeWitt McJilton of LaPorte, Colorado, passed away August 11th at the age of 83. Charles was born June 6, 1937 in Oak Park, Illinois. He spent his adolescent years in Oak Park, graduating from Oak Park/River Forest High School. He attended the University of Illinois at Chicago. While working for Western Electric, he met Betty. Charles and Betty married and celebrated 62 years together. Charles took a vacation to Colorado with his family in 1970 and fell in love with the mountains. He returned to Illinois with an unstoppable goal of moving there. A year later he had made it a reality. Charles loved being able to raise his family in the wide open space with fresh air and clean water. He bought a house with enough land to raise sheep, cattle, chickens and ducks and grow a garden. Charles wanted to live off the land, showing his children that food doesn’t come in boxes, bags and foil. He also loved all of the family’s dogs and cats, many who were strays. He retired from the telephone company after working there for 30 years. Too young to retire altogether, he and a couple of friends started up an internet service provider company, JYMIS. From there he was offered a position at Colorado State University in their telecommunications department. Charles decided to finally retire from CSU at the age of 81. Charles loved learning. He was interested in everything from astronomy and chemistry to photography and electricity. When home computers became available in the 1980’s he built his very own Heathkit computer. From that point on it was his passion and he never looked back. Charles learned everything he could about computers and wanted everyone to find them as useful as he did. He loved helping others with their computer problems. For years, every Saturday morning he volunteered at the Fort Collins Senior Center assisting seniors with their computer issues. Charles is preceded in death by his parents, DeWitt and Helen. He is survived by his wife, Betty, daughters Deborah and Marilyn, and son Charles (Rebecca). Also his sister Diantha (Joanne Frey) and brother Loren. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, there will be no celebration of life. Anyone who would wish to make a donation in his name, please consider Food Bank for Larimer County, Volunteers of America Colorado or Larimer Humane Society.