Dannie "Danny" Joe Booher, 68, lost his brief battle with cancer June 4, 2014, in Pueblo, Colo.

He was born Aug. 19, 1945, to Raymond and Margaret Thompson Booher, in Richmond, Ind. He grew up and graduated from Celina High School, Celina, in 1964.

In 1965, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Rebecca Hundley, whom he had courted for four years, and she survives.

He is also survived by his children, Jeffrey (Suzette) Booher, Colorado Springs, Kelley (Scott) Johnson, Canon City, Colo.; a daughter-in-law, Lori Booher, Barrington, R.I.; a brother, Timothy (Patricia) Booher, Toledo; grandchildren, Samantha and Joryan Booher, Brittany, Connor, Kelsey and Caitlyn Booher, Morgan Patrick (Zach) Shepherd, Marybeth Patrick and Vivian Johnson; and great-grandchildren, Nathanael Koken, Gabriella, Maddon, Isabella and Rakella Shepherd; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws, William Hundley and Mary Hundley Stelzer; brothers, Michael and Patrick Booher; and a son, Theodore J. Booher.

His and Becky's lives changed forever during a motorcycle trip with friends to Colorado, where they fell in love with the beauty of the mountains. In 1975, they moved with their three children to Canon City, Colo., where they have continued to make their home.

He worked for the Colorado Department of Corrections for 25 years before retiring in 2000. After retirement, he pursued his love for the West in many ways. He started "Beadwork By Hawk" a Native American beadwork business. His beadwork has been purchased by people from around the world, including many Native Americans who admired his authentic craftsmanship and proudly used it in their ceremonies. He fulfilled a lifelong dream by appearing with Buck Taylor in the last movie filmed at Buckskin Joe and was offered the opportunity to be in another movie being filmed this summer. In addition to being a published poet, he had a strong love for music. He was a drummer in bands for nine years and was a self-taught guitar player who loved "jamming" with his son. He had a passion for history, especially the Civil War, and visited many of America's famous battlefields and re-enactments. He loved to share stories and photographs of these conflicts.

After Becky and his family, his biggest love was the mountains. On any beautiful Colorado day, you could find him riding his Harley, hiking on a hidden trail or having a mountain picnic with his family. He loved attending Mountain Man rendezvous and surrounding himself with nature. His compassion, friendship, understanding and deepest love for his family are the truest gifts he left behind.

A celebration of his life will be held 1-3 p.m. July 12, at 316 Riverview Court, Canon City. All are welcome; dress is casual.

Cremation arrangements were handled by Wilson Funeral Home.

Donations can be made to Sangre De Cristo Hospice, Canon City.