John was born in Evergreen, Colorado to John Ellis Betts Sr and Linnea Othelia (Berggen) Betts on July 5, 1939. He was the second child of four. His parents owned and operated a pharmacy/grocery store in Evergreen before moving to Denver in the 1940's. John was active in ROTC at East High School in Denver, CO and upon graduating joined the Army. He was stationed in Germany where an automobile accident left him with one arm. In John's early years he was active in the Masonic orders. He was a DeMolay as a young man. He is Past Master of Masonic Lodge #6 (1970) and was also a member of El Jebel Shriners, Eastern Star and Grand Commandery of the Knights Templar.

John started his career at the Colorado Department of Transportation in the Engineering Department during the construction of the Eisenhower Tunnel. After leaving CDOT, he started his own surveying company, JB Engineering & Surveying, and also sold real estate before he began his travels. Country roads brought him to Spearfish, South Dakota in early 1984 where he met and later married the love of his life, Char. They were married in 1992 in an outdoor wedding at Sandcreek, WY. John helped Char doing the computer at the Spearfish Senior Center where Char was the director. In 1996 they bought and developed the Whispering Pines subdivision in Pine Haven, WY. John also designed and built their home while being the building inspector during construction. John held many jobs on committees before Alzheimer's took its toll. John helped start the Pine Haven Fire Auxiliary, Keyhole Fishing Association, Kids Fishing Derby and Devils Tower Flock Wild Turkey Confederation. John was on Pine Haven Town Council and Pine Haven Chamber Board of Directors.

John taught himself to do websites and developed several impressive websites, including Lead High School Class of 1962 for his wife. His talent included pamphlets for the town, beautiful posters and calendars including the devastating fires of 2001. John loved photography, which brought him to the Black Hills. He had award winning pictures through the years, especially the wildlife in Pine Haven.

John was a gentle loving man always willing to help where he could. John did more with one arm than most of us do with two. His passing is definitely our loss but the Lord's gain and will truly be missed.

John Ellis Betts Jr, 76, Pine Haven, WY, passed away at the Sturgis VA Hospital on April 8, 2016.

He is survived by his wife, Char (Lakson Dower) Betts, Pine Haven, WY; sisters, Joan Lamson, Pine Knoll Shores, NC, and twins Joyce Weyers and Jeanette (Warren) Neudorff, Colorado; daughter, Christine Betts, Denver, CO; son, Matthew (Petra) Budde, Lusby, MD; son-in-law, Bob Hudson; stepchildren, Cherie (Brian) McGrath, Belle Fourche, SD, Doug (Kris) Dower, Spearfish, SD, Cindee (Darrell) Wisnoski, Pine Haven, WY; grandchildren, Robert, Brooke and Jakoby Hudson, Thorton, CO, Anne Marie and Joseph Budde, Lusby, MD, Carissa (Gene) Cuesta, Belle Fourche, SD, Cassie ( Reuben) Estrada, Belle Fourche, SD, JT McGrath, Anza, CA, David and Derick Dower, Spearfish, SD, Brooke and Emilee Wisnoski, Pine Haven, WY; great grandchildren, Ethan Estrada, Belle Fourche, SD, Zylah Cuesta, Belle Fourche, SD; and several nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Betts Sr. and Linnea (Berggren) Betts; his daughter, Elizabeth Lynn Betts Hudson; stepson, David Dower.

Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 15, 2016 at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. Inurnment follows at the Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors.

In Lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the Disabled American Veterans or the Alzheimer's Association.