Ronald Lee "Pete" Mattics

Ronald Lee “Pete” Mattics was born Feb. 4, 1935, to LaRue LaRoy and Lucille (nay Davies) Mattics in Cañon City, Colo. He passed October 1, 2025, at his home on the farm surrounded by family, including his ever faithful dog, Jill.

As a toddler, he moved with his family to Casper, Wyo., then on to Oak Ridge, Tenn., where his father was a machinist on the Y12 Project. As a teenager, he road his motorcycle cross country to Denver where his older brother, Bob, was working as a mechanic. Pete earned a welding certificate from the Emily Griffith Opportunity School, then joined his brother working for Stanley Aviation.

Pete and Bob enjoyed attending dances at the local Grange Hall in Aurora. It was at the Grange Hall where he met the love of his life, Ella Jane Baker, from DeBeque. Jane and two of her sisters, Betty Lou and Dorothy Mae, all worked for the phone company as operators. Pete and Jane were joined in Holy Matrimony March 25, 1958.

Shortly thereafter, Pete took his grandmother, Elsie Belle Davies, to visit her sister, Alice May Putnam, in Olathe, where she and her husband, Harry, managed a small orchard. On the ride back to Cañon City, Grandma Davies suggested Pete and Jane buy the Putnam Orchard and move to the farm to raise a family, which is exactly what they did in 1958. Son Kerry arrived in 1962; daughter Jeri arrived in 1964; and daughter Jody completed the family in 1966.

Pete and Jane worked tirelessly to restore the orchards, improve the irrigation system and cropping practices, and diversify the crops by planting peaches, pears, nectarines and cherries along side the apples. It was a family affair in the summers, with all three children working on the farm, driving tractor, weeding and harvesting fruit. For decades, Pete was active in the Western Colorado Horticultural Society, serving as president in 1974, and being honored as the Peach Grower of the Year in 1982. During the winters, he also worked construction jobs, helping to build the Morrow Point, Crystal and Silverjack dams.

Pete was heartbroken when Jane passed of cancer in 1986. After several years, he started attending dances again, and returning to favorite activities like hunting and fishing.

Kerry returned to help Pete manage the farm after graduating from Colorado State University in 1986. Together, in 1996, they installed the first large-scale drip irrigation system in Montrose County, and used it to diversify the operation by adding tomatoes, peppers, sweet corn, cucumbers, onions, potatoes and other vegetables.

As Kerry took on more management responsibilities, Pete started exploring. He enjoyed traveling and several times he and a companion drove to Alaska for summers filled with fishing, camping, dancing and finding quirky restaurants. In the winters, he would venture down to Mexico and Arizona at times, but more frequently was found on local dance floors; he thoroughly enjoyed music and dancing.

Pete is survived by his son, Kerry, wife Tammy and grandsons Kurik, Kalten and Kael, wife Paige (Collins); daughter Jeri and her son Chase Omernik; daughter Jody, husband Donnie Kattner, and their sons Donovan, wife Makenna (Terrell) and great granddaughter Charlotte, and Jaxon Kattner. He was predeceased by both parents, and brothers Dick and Bob.

Services will be held Sat., Nov. 1 at 3:30 pm at the Circle 3 Cowboy Fellowship, 62885 LaSalle Road, Montrose, with a harvest dinner to honor Pete following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family would sincerely appreciate gifts to HopeWest Hospice, and would like to thank the HopeWest staff and all of Pete’s caregivers for their tireless work to keep Pete comfortable and happy in his home as he transitioned from this world.