John P. Ercul
September 19, 1947 ~ October 13, 2024
Born in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Resided in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Celebration of Life:
John Ercul 9/19/1947-10/13/2024
John Ercul, 77, passed away peacefully in his home on Sunday, October 13th. John is
survived by his loving dog and companion, Ike, and countless close friends and family.
John was born, raised, and lived his life in Pueblo, Colorado. Growing up, John
had a love for law enforcement and dreamt of being a police officer as a young boy.
John made that dream come true by joining the Pueblo Police Department in 1970.
After serving 18 months with the Army, he re-joined the police department and never
looked back. John served 41 wonderful years on the force, from working with the SWAT
team to being the Deputy Chief of Police.
An avid traveler, John visited many places around the world throughout his life.
John loved the city of London and visited there often, even making long friends there.
One of his favorite things to do was visit various amusement parks around the nation,
riding every roller coaster he could find. Not only was he a thrill seeker, he also loved
playing trivia at the local bars in Pueblo with a group of his friends every Wednesday
night.
John was a huge horror movie fan his whole life. He had a fondness for the
classic Hammer films and loved watching some of the newer films as well. John greatly
loved sharing these films with everyone and enjoyed sharing his knowledge about the
genre. He even served as a tour guide for the local ghost walks downtown.
John was a devoted individual of the community of Pueblo as a member of
various clubs and groups in Pueblo, including the Pueblo County Historical Society, and
the Optimist International. A huge animal lover, John also served on the board for
PAWS for Life and served on the board for the Pueblo Zoo for many years.
John was also a talented writer and play director. He wrote articles for the Pueblo
Lore, the publication of the Pueblo County Historical Society, but he also wrote an
original play, “The Viper Strikes Quickly,” an interactive murder mystery play. He also
directed a local revival of the 1954 Maxwell Anderson play “The Bad Seed.” John also
wrote a book that encompasses the entire history of the City of Pueblo’s Police
Department, “Pueblo’s Finest and Pueblo’s Bloody Worst.”
John always lived life to the fullest and never had a dull moment. A fiercely loyal
friend to so many, he will be greatly missed
Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 26, 2024, in the Montgomery & Steward Chapel. Honors by the Pueblo Police Department and Military Honors will follow at Mountain View Cemetery Chapel Mausoleum. Entombment will take place in the mausoleum immediately following the honors.
Services
Funeral Service: October 26, 2024 10:00 am
Montgomery & Steward Funeral Chapel
1317 N. Main Street
Pueblo, CO 81003
719-542-1552
http://www.montgomerysteward.com
Entombment: October 26, 2024 11:30 am
Mountain View Cemetery Chapel Mausoleum
1315 Acero Avenue
Pueblo, CO 81004
719-564-6023
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Memories Timeline
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Rest easy uncle and act your heart out there you were amazing police officer and amazing director and actor, I hope one day my kids can be as proud of me as I was of you and still am of you….
Love your little niece , nicole
I met John on January 21, 1980- The day I was born at Saint Mary Corwin Hospital. He held me in his arms that very night, and we’ve been bonded ever since. John has always been a very close with my family, in fact, my sister, and I always referred to him as Uncle John. I remember the day I found out that he wasn’t related to us by blood, and I cried and cried over the thought that he wasn’t ‘actually’ my Uncle. I must’ve been around 5 years old at the time; It wasn’t until many years later that I realized that our relationship was actually much more meaningful because we CHOSE each other as family, rather than being born into it. And for almost 45 years, John has been one of my best friends, my fiercest ally, and my favorite person on the planet. Any and all memories I have with John are some of my favorite moments of my entire life. I could write a whole book on my love and respect for this incredible man, and what he means, and has always meant to me and my family- all of the memories, the holidays, the trips and vacations, birthdays, conversations… An entire book! I think we all could. He was the most unique, talented, intelligent, and gracious man in the entire world, and smarter than anyone in any room he ever walked into. He lived his life to the absolute fullest and taught me a lot about the kind of person I would like to be. His legacy and spirit will forever be alive in my home and in my heart. I love you, Uncle John. RIP
Steve was an amazing person heart of gold. Thank you for being a friend and supporting our family restaurant for some many years ( Grand Prix Restaurant), Lots of good memories and stories, Condolences from our family to his, May he rest in Peace…
RIP. Thank you for being in my life.
From the Klipfel family Mitch Michelle Jennifer Kathy and Joyce and the twins we have a place in heaven for you
John, we had so many great times during state fair days! It was my honor to be your friend. Rest in peace, you will be greatly missed.
RIP Brother you will be missed.
Mike and I were so sorry to hear of John’s passing. Although I worked in his orbit at the police department (I was an ACOVA Advocate) it is his love of history, and the PD’s history, that I remember most. He knew all about those officers whose names are listed in the lobby, those who died in the line of duty. He was a terrific historian, and his artistic ability to tell stories brought that history to life. Sending love to his family.
I will always have special memories of John. Funny, friendly and full of favorite times.
A great cartoon artist which he was good at.
John had his own unique way of sketching.
The first time I met John he took a paper placemate and sketched both my husband and I. It looked like us yet was in cartoon form.
We got a lot of laughs out of this. My brother in law and sister had a lot of chuckles along with us.
John was a special friend to not only us but my family. We will miss John and know that now he is in a better place.🕊️
Heaven will receive a unique guy.
R.I.P. John
John – We didn’t know each other very well growing up in our Minnequa Heights neighborhood, but I have a few memories; like the knock on the door one Halloween night to see you with werewolf mask and gloves looking back at me! It was scary then, but a good memory now. As adults, we reconnected through family and had the opportunity to travel to Europe with a tour group on a few occasions. As I remember, you were often out looking for a McDonalds. There are too many memories to list here, but they won’t be forgotten.
I am blessed to call you friend.
Thank you for your service to our country and to Pueblo. You will be missed.
In the 60 some years I have known John he has always been a great friend. Rest in peace John. You will be missed.
john movies kill line syber chic Blue lights Burt ward
John KDZA Night has a thousand eyes Vee your fav Dan Shaffer Mike Saladino the movies Blue Lights Syber chic Kill Line WOW every one should rent this stuff to really know maybe a couple Ripper books
God bless you, John! You will be missed.
John,
You have been and will always be my friend. Rest in peace free from pain and suffering.
You made me proud to be a police officer and follow your example of honesty, integrity, fairness and respect.
You will never be forgotten and missed dearly.
Gods speed on your next journey.
JP,
My best friend for over 50 years, we had a lot of good times and many laughs and memories.
I will miss you dearly.🙏
GODs Speed brother ❤️
I knew JP since I was in high school. On my way to being a pharmacist at CU, I had the opportunity to do a few ride-alongs with him, which sent me a different direction, 47 years later, my law enforcement career ended. You could have no better friend or mentor. He was a Cop’s Cop, just and fair. I’m glad to have known him, and be called friend by him. I pray for peace and rest. His suffering is over, his watch has ended. 10-42
Thank you for your service John and all you did for Pueblo . RIP.
Rest in peace cousin. I always enjoyed seeing John at the YMCA when I worked there many years ago. He was always nice and pleasant and a tremendous asset to the Pueblo Police Department. He is now reunited with his family, including my Mom and Dad. You will be missed. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
RIP
John was the best man at my wedding in 1975 when we both were 27 years old, and one of my best friends from childhood. He and I grew up together in the same neighborhood. I have enough stories of John from that period to fill a book. I couldn’t ask for a better friend. Although we slowly lost contact during the following 49 years I will miss the occasional chance meetings we had throughout those years. One of his favorite poems was “El Dorado” by Edgar Allen Poe. I believe that John has finally reached El Dorado. Rest in peace my good friend.
I will miss John, his humor, his honestly and his ability to tell a story like no one else. He was a very special person in so many ways. RIP John!
John was a very nice person inside and outside, he was a great neighbor to have! May he rest in peace 🙏🙏🙏
You were always, Honest and Fair—