Johnie Dombaugh

Johnie Dombaugh, 73 of Las Animas, took his final flight into the arms of his Lord and Savior on December 4, 2021, at the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center in La Junta. He was born on July 12, 1948, in Anthony, Kansas to John & LaVonne (Huffman) Dombaugh.

Johnie was born in Anthony, Kansas in 1948 and grew up on a Kansas farm. He graduated from Attica High School in 1966 and married Dee Ann McDaniel. He went on to college at Fort Hayes State College where he majored in Industrial Arts Education. Johnie and Dee Ann had two children, Tammy DeAnn and Michael Marlyn. After college graduation they moved to Kanas City, Kansas where he took a teaching job at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School and taught Industrial Arts and Drafting. He then moved to Shawnee Mission South High School and taught Drafting and Architectural Drawing for many years. It was then that he decided to go back to school and get his master's degree in Education. During that time in school, he was the Principle at Overland Park Baptist School of Overland Park, Kansas. He and his family moved to Lakewood, Colorado in the summer of 1984 where he took another job as Principal of Westland Christian Academy. He then went on to become a Superintendent of the School Districts of Cheraw, Colorado; Elbert, Colorado; and Las Animas, Colorado. During that time, he married Kara Paulk in 1996. He went on to work for Homeland Security for several years and then took his final job at Crowley County Correctional Facility as their Director of Education. He retired from the prison in August of 2021. He also did some bookkeeping as a side job for Bent County Commissioners office.

Johnie was well liked in his community and was very involved in multiple aspects. He was a great friend to many, full of wisdom, and always ready to talk or take time to listen. Johnie took an interest in flying and received his pilot's license in the late 70's. He loved flying his Beachcraft V35 Bonanza airplane and loved spending time at the airport and making new pilot friends. He was a member of Sport Flying of Southern Colorado. Johnie attended Las Animas First Church of the Nazarene where he was very involved with singing in the praise group and teaching classes. He loved the Lord and also was involved in prison ministry.

He is survived by his wife, Kara of the Las Animas home; children, Tammy (Dan) Sundeen and Michael (Kenia) Dombaugh both of Castle Rock, CO; stepchildren, Kristen (Tom) Webster of San Diego, CA; Kristina Moffett of Texas; grandchildren, Dylan (Katy Mae) Sundeen, Nikki Dombaugh Rayes and Kathrin Dombaugh Rayes; multiple step-grandchildren; siblings, Garrell (Beverly) Dombaugh and Charlotte Page; numerous nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his parents, John & LaVonne Dombaugh.

As per Johnie’s request cremation has taken place and his family will be having a Celebration of Life service at a later date.

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