John Christopher “Chris” Sickinger

Jon Christopher “Chris” Sickinger of Colorado Springs, CO and Lansing completed his journey down the river of life at the age of 56 years and 10 months Monday, December 16, 2019. In accordance with Chris’ wishes, there will be no visitation or services.

The family requests that memorials be made to any youth parks and recreation program, or to the Friends of Pool 9 (P. O. Box 455, Lansing, IA 52151), a conservation organization which advocates for Pool 9 on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge.

He was born February 16, 1963 on the Marine Corps Base of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Instead of going directly home from the hospital, Chris was introduced first to the Atlantic Ocean. This experience apparently instilled in him a great love of water, and being an Aquarius also supported this love.

When Chris was six years old, his mother married Stan Sickinger of Colorado Springs, CO, who later adopted Chris and his three siblings. Chris attended Howbert Elementary School, then Holmes Middle School. While attending Coronado High School, Chris focused on football as a running back, breaking many school records and thoroughly enjoying his football career. During his senior year, he rushed for more yards than any other running back in the entire state of Colorado. Chris graduated in 1981 and continued to live life the same way he played football - full speed ahead!

He met his future wife at Meadow Muffins in Colorado Springs, CO and shortly thereafter they became engaged. February 14, 1992, Chris married the love of his life, Janna Juarros. They were married for 28 years and were blessed with two amazing boys, Alec, born April 4, 1995, and Tristan, born December 14, 1996. Chris proudly wore the names of his sons permanently inked on his arms.

Most of his adult life, Chris worked in the electrical wholesale business. However, his real passion was coaching his sons in football and baseball. Baseball was the fun, no-stress sport he coached with his friend, Ben Quigley, and his sons. But, football was the sport which forever captured his heart, and he coached two teams at a time, twice a year, fall and spring. Chris appreciated having the best support coaches - his father-in-law, Juan Juarros (who had been his high school football coach); his dad, Stan Sickinger; his friend, Ben Quigley; with sideline support from his wife, Janna. He was once named Volunteer Coach of the Year for Colorado Springs.

After Alec and Tristan entered high school, Chris volunteered to assist his wife, Janna, in coaching girls basketball at Russell Middle School. They celebrated many successful seasons together with the team.

The Sickinger family treasured their holiday ski vacations in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado. But boating remained the favorite family pastime, with many weekend boating excursions to various lakes and rivers, especially to their favorite spot, Salida, CO. Being avid Denver Bronco fans, game days were always special occasions, complete with lots of Bronco gear, topped off with plenty of good food and drinks in their family rec room. Attending Bronco games at famous Mile High Stadium in Denver was even more special.

Chris and Janna purchased the family home in Lansing, where they and the boys visited almost every summer, and they decided to make this their future retirement home. They spent countless hours remodeling this home to suit their needs, and loved every minute of it. The family especially cherished their time on the Mississippi River boating, waterskiing, fishing, relaxing on the sandbars, and spending time with relatives and friends.

Over time, old football injuries began to plague Chris. As pain started to overtake his hips, knees and back, he began a series of surgeries. He and Janna had come to their home in Lansing in July for Chris to recover and spend as much time as possible on his beloved river.

Chris’ last surgery of sciatic decompression proved to be his demise. He spent months in hospitals and submitted to several more surgeries. Lovingly and tenderly, his wife, Janna, provided constant care for him, and did everything she could to fulfill his every wish. Chris was, however, unable to recover from complications following his most recent surgeries, thus ending his time with us.

Left to mourn Chris are his loving wife of 28 years, Janna, and two sons, Alec and Tristan, all of Colorado Springs, CO; his mother, Gail Irons of Lansing; his father, Stan (Brenda) Sickinger of Colorado Springs, CO; his sister, Kim (Sven) Lee of Parker, CO; his brothers, Mitch (Toni) Sickinger of Castle Rock, CO and Todd Sickinger of Lansing; his father-in-law, Juan Juarros of Colorado Springs; his brother-in-law, Juan (Amanda) Juarros III of Colorado Springs; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Preceding Chris in death were his mother-in-law, Judy Juarros; his grandparents, Ben and Elsie Irons, Elmer and Esther Sickinger and Gertrude Scott; and his uncles, George Juarros and Jerry Irons.