Calvin Edward Eikleberry

Calvin Edward Eikleberry passed away peacefully on May 27, 2017, at the Southeast Colorado Hospital Long Term Care Facility with his devoted wife Dilly by his side. He was born on June 10, 1934, outside of Pritchett, CO at his Grandparent’s home to parents Guy and Lola Eikleberry. He grew up with siblings Janell and Clifford. Calvin’s father worked for the railroad and they lived in the city of Pritchett until he was a young boy starting school. During that time, he loved to ride his pony 5 miles south of town to his Grandmother Anna and Grandfather Edward’s home. Calvin completed all of his education in Pritchett attaining a High School diploma in 1953. On a fateful day in 1953, Calvin was driving his new Ford car down Main Street in Springfield when he saw these cute girls and stopped to ask them if they would like a ride. This was the start of a romance and love affair between him and Dilly. It was love at first sight. Calvin and Dilly were married in August of 1954.  They lived in Pritchett where Calvin helped his dad farm. He also bought some of his own grassland north of Pritchett where he ran cattle. They ended up living around the Pritchett area for 13 years having their two children Kevin in 1958 and Craig in 1961. Farming wasn’t very prosperous during this time because of the dust storms, so in 1967 they moved to Springfield, buying a house in town and an 8-acre plot of land just south of town where barns and corrals could be built for horses. Calvin had already started training and racing thoroughbreds by this time and it ended up becoming a lifetime passion and vocation. It has also become a family affair. Calvin started racing in Raton, New Mexico at La Mesa Park and eventually moved onto Pikes Peak and Centennial Racetrack in Colorado. Over the years he also raced in Phoenix, Arizona, Hot Springs Arkansas, Shreveport Louisiana, Omaha Nebraska, Santa Fe New Mexico, Albuquerque New Mexico, and Saint Louis Illinois. Sometime in the eighties, he moved back to Springfield on a more permanent basis in order to help take care of his parents while still keeping a few horses in his care and running them in Raton and Denver. In the late nineties, he managed and maintained our local landfill. He received a lot of compliments about how it looked. During this time is when it was noticed he had early signs of Alzheimer’s. Dilly took care of him for over 10 years at home as the disease progressed. Eventually, he was admitted to the Springfield nursing home where he resided for almost 7 years until his death. We would like to commend the staff for their excellent care. Calvin was preceded in death by his parents Guy and Lola Eikleberry and his sister Janell Crowe. He is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Dilly Eikleberry of Springfield, his son Kevin and wife Pam Eikleberry  of Cave Creek Arizona, son Craig Eikleberry of Ruidoso New Mexico, grandsons Rustin, Rhet, and Ry and their respective families including great-grandchildren Kylie, Colt, Brandie, Revy, and Roan Eikleberry. He is also survived by his brother Clifford Eikleberry of Aurora, Colorado, as well as many nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends that he treasured.The family suggests memorial donations be made to  “The Cottage” at SECHD Long Term Care, 373 East 10th Ave. Springfield CO, 81073 either directly or by way of the funeral home.