Harold Kenneth Bonham

Harold Kenneth Bonham, 77, of La Junta passed away Jan. 23, 2021.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Margaret Ann, of La Junta; sons, Nicholas (Elizabeth) Bonham of Pueblo; and Kyle Bonham of La Junta. He also leaves behind his three loving felines, Callie, Cassie and Kitten.

Harold was born June 8, 1943, in Ordway, CO he was one of seven siblings, to Carl and Edith Bonham. He graduated from Ordway High School in 1961 and was soon drafted by the U.S. Army. He served two years, mainly as a records clerk stationed at a military hospital in France.

Discharged in the summer of 1966, Harold returned to Ordway and by the fall, he had met a waitress at the Dairy King named Margaret Ann Henderson. The two married on June 11, 1967, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, in her native Sugar City.

The couple lived briefly in Ordway before moving to La Junta, where Harold would build their family home.

Harold had many specialties, but he was a family man first. He was an incredible husband and father. He was as selfless, devoted and patient as he was playful, funny and thoughtful. He loved family time.

He was a true handyman, the general contractor for the home he built and was skilled in numerous trades.

He loved to make people laugh. He loved joking with his sons and strangers alike. He loved reading the morning comics, listening to local radio, shopping for deals at the store, playing spider solitaire, playing with his beloved cats and feeding strays in the neighborhood. He was a Denver Broncos fan and his wife’s chief rose gardener.

Harold held several jobs in his lifetime: an employee of Western Foods; a social worker for the Colorado Boys Ranch, Otero and Bent counties; and case manager at Bent County Correctional Facility, from which he retired in 2018.

He was a member of the first graduating class of then-University of Southern Colorado, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in social welfare.

When his sons were members of the Koshare Indian Dancers, Harold was an active parent and was given the honor of Key Leader.

Harold is also survived by siblings Robert (Mary) Bonham, of Green Valley, Ariz.; Johnny Bonham, of Great Springdale, Ark.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Mary Cupp, Gene Curtsinger, Martin “Ikey” Bonham and Elaine Moore.

Funeral service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 2, 2021, at Holy Cross/St. Andrews Church, where Harold was a longtime member and church leader. Memorials can be made in Harold’s name to the church.

Arrangements through Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home, which will also stream the service, live on Facebook. Social distancing and masks required.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.