Obituary-James D. Vietti

James D. Vietti
4/2/1946 ~ 1/26/2013
James D. Vietti (Jim) 66 died January 26, 2013 at home in Peyton, Colorado surrounded by family members.
Jim was born in Girard, Kansas April 2, 1946. After graduating from Girard High School, he became a flight instructor at Wilson Flight School in Kansas City, Kansas. When his draft notice came, Jim enlisted in the United States Air Force. For most of his Air Force enlistment, he served as a wildlife agent in Alaska, managing the wildlife museum, raising fish, removing moose from roads, and relocating menacing bears. Following his military service, Jim moved to Cuchara, Colorado where he began his real estate career which would take him to Cripple Creek, Woodland Park, Vail, Colorado Springs and then back to Cuchara where he operated Vietti’s Streamside Restaurant in addition to carrying on in real estate. Jim’s favorite profession was cooking and entertaining. Jim loved a good golf game – whether playing it or watching the pros. College football and basketball, as well as pro football were his favorite TV past times. Jim was an avid reader of philosophers, both ancient and modern day.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Betty Vietti. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Karen; two daughters, Jennifer Deering and Santina Lynn Vietti; one son-in-law, Christopher Vastine; a granddaughter, Kiara Lynn Vastine; and a grandson, Darion James Vastine. Jim also is survived by his brother, Donald Vietti (Kay Beth); two sisters, Susan Morley (John), and Cathy McVey (George), numerous nieces and nephews, and a very special extended family.
Jim’s request was to be cremated and returned to the mountains. There will be a small family service and a party for friends with “lots of good food”, which will be at the former Vietti’s Streamside Restaurant in June.
The family requests that memorials may be made in Jim’s name to the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society/ Rocky Mountain Chapter; 720 S. Colo. Blvd.; Suite 500S; Denver, CO 80246