Louis Albert Fletcher

Louis Albert Fletcher (Bud) passed away peacefully in his home on Fletcher Ranch at the age of 88 on May 16, 2021.  He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren professing their love and admiration for him as he reciprocated “I love you” during his last hour on the Ranch.

Lou was raised on Fletcher Ranch near Deckers, Colorado and completed grade school at West Creek.  He attended College at Colorado A&M in Fort Collins and was in the last graduating class of A&M before becoming Colorado State University.  While in college he met Nellie Burkhard over a “load of hay” and the two married in 1953.  Before graduating Lou was Drafted into the Army, he re-injured his knee after serving less than a year and received a medical discharge. He then returned back to school and graduated on the GI bill.  After graduation Lou began working as a Soil Scientist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service (later known as the Natural Resources Conservation Service) in Colorado.  Lou and Nell enjoyed living in different parts of Colorado (Fort Morgan, Yuma, Salida, Steamboat Springs, Walden, Delta, and Lou commuted from Delta to Craig for little over year) all while working for NRCS in Colorado before moving to Alaska in 1976. Lou would retire as the head State Soil Scientist of Alaska for the NRCS before returning back home to Fletcher Ranch in 1992.

Lou had many loves including fly fishing, dip net fishing, clam digging and plowing snow in Alaska, camping, gardening and ranching.  Lou served on the Board of Directors of the Methodist Church, he also served as President and Deputy District Governor for the Walden Lions Club. Returning back to the Ranch after retiring he would serve on the Board of the Trumbull Fire Department, where he also served as President. Lou and Nell were recognized by Grit Magazine as Homesteaders of the Year in 2014 for their dedication to their homesteading lifestyle.  Lou captured the hearts and laughs of all who had the good fortune of hearing his stories and jokes.  Lou’s laugh and joy were contagious and he was able to connect with anyone over work, camping, and hunting stories.  Lou loved working the land and his summers were filled with building fence, raising cattle, chopping wood, and exuding a work ethic admired by all.

Lou will be most remembered as an amazing father and fun-loving grandpa!  His legacy can be found in the hard work and love for nature he has instilled in all his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.  Lou is survived by his son Steve (Anna), his daughters Sher Canady (Elwyn) and Kami Lindberg (Steve), his 13 grandchildren and countless of great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Nellie, his daughter Kathy (9), his son Will (46), his grandson William (22), his granddaughter Amber (33), his twin sister Virginia and his parents Louis and Ethel.

Services for Lou Fletcher will be held on Aug 7th, 2021, 2pm at Deckers Hall, 8570 S State Highway 67, Deckers, CO 80135.

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