Dallas Plese

We are sad to share that Dallas Plese passed away at home on May 14, 2024. A rare Colorado native, Dallas was born July 17, 1941, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Theodore and Christine Plese. Christine died shortly after childbirth and Theodore died two years later during training for WWII. Dallas was then adopted by an aunt and uncle in Pueblo where he grew up with two sisters, numerous cousins, and lifelong friends.

Dallas attended Pueblo Catholic High School (PCH) where he was the definitive Big Man on Campus. It was there that he met his first wife, Judy Wright. A standout athlete, Dallas competed in track and field, football, and basketball. At one point, the local paper dubbed him the "Splendid Splinter" for his slim frame and speed on the track. He held numerous state records in football and track and field, some of which were only recently broken. Dallas was a big part of the PCH football team, which won the state championship in 1958. He was later inducted into the Pueblo Sports Hall of Fame. His love of football propelled him to referee little league and high school football for over 20 years. After high school, Dallas attended Regis College and the University of Northern Colorado and served in the Colorado Army National Guard. Dallas and Judy married in 1966 and had two children, Kristin and Kara. Judy passed away in 2020.

Dallas eventually landed at IBM where he spent more than 30 years, and, unlike most of us, loved every moment of his job. One of the things he was most proud of at IBM was his involvement with Colorado Special Olympics. With IBM as a major sponsor, Dallas served as Event Director of the yearly summer games for four years. It was at IBM that Dallas met his current wife, Mary Snell. Dallas and Mary were together for almost 30 years and would have been married for 20 years in September. They lived a life full of travel, entertaining, attending Broncos and CU football games, and spending time with many friends and family members.

Another thing Dallas was immensely proud of were his daughters Kristin and Kara (who were possibly in charge of writing this and thus a bit biased). Dallas was the epitome of a hands-on father, sharing his love of sports and outdoors with the girls. They shared numerous adventures together skiing, hiking, sledding, river rafting, camping, fishing and even a yearly Christmas father-daughter lunch, complete with corsages. A master of poster board art, Dallas made sure both girls always woke up to fabulous celebratory signs in their bedrooms on their birthday.

After retiring from IBM, in a moment later described as "temporary insanity," Dallas and Mary thought it would be fun to open a restaurant and bar in Niwot called Flanagan's. Let us assure you, it was NOT fun. However, it became not only a hub for the Niwot social scene (as much as that's a thing), but a source of great new friends and endless stories. Although they eventually sold Flanagan's, the hangout still exists today as The Niwot Tavern.

Dallas was very active in Flatirons Community Church, volunteering with the church's men's groups and even taking two trips to Afghanistan in support of the Sozo International organization. Dallas was also involved in the Niwot community, helping get the Niwot Business Association up and running, working at special events and spending time with neighborhood men at the Niwot Market, discussing the state of the world and the latest goings on in town (in as much as that's a thing – please see above).

He is survived by his wife Mary, his daughters Kristin (Alger) and Kara, his dog Lodi, and his four-legged, very furry "granddogs" Monty, Baxter, and Max. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Please join us for a celebration of "all things Dallas," Friday May 24th at 5:00 p.m., 7687 County Road 23, Fort Lupton, CO 80612. OP shorts and Hawaiian shirts are highly encouraged. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sozo International, 400 South Green River Road, Evansville IN 47715.