Obituary for Donald Hostetter
Donald Hostetter, 79, peacefully passed away with his loving family by his side Thursday, August 11, 2022. He was born, June 23, 1943 in LaJara, Colorado to Royal (Towner) Hostetter and Norma Lenore McKinney. He met his love and lifelong partner Linda Gibbs and six months later on October 4, 1964, they were married
He learned at an early age how to work and he worked hard his entire life. He was a successful businessman but always stayed humble. He made his start by buying and operating a Sinclair Service Station in Alamosa. Shortly after opening the service station, he started a towing service. His love of drag racing and racing tote gotes in his early years inspired him to start a motorcycle shop, Don’s Kawasaki. One of the highlights while owning the motorcycle shop, Don and Linda were able to travel to visit the Kawasaki Manufacturing plant in Tokyo, Japan to view the new models. After selling the motorcycle shop, he opened a salvage yard along with his established 24-hour towing, which the family is still running and is being managed by his son, Jared.
Don thoroughly enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. His adventurous spirit took him in many directions. After flying in a hot air balloon, he was hooked. He purchased a hot air balloon with the Kawasaki logo and was licensed as a commercial hot air balloon pilot. Don and his hot air balloon kept the family busy as his chase crew, traveling to several different balloon rallies across the country and creating fond memories that the family cherishes. In the winter, he attached chains to an inverted car hood and used it as a sled to pull the basket with a snowmobile.
Don’s love of the mountains inspired a family cabin being built entirely by him, Linda, and a few other friends. Don was featured in a Science Magazine for building a water turbine to generate power for the family cabin. Another adventure that he thoroughly enjoyed was rafting down the Grand Canyon several times with his nephew, Michael Rodriguez as the guide. He also enjoyed climbing Blanca Peak and hunting with Linda and his brother Frank. Don had a love of classic cars and collected them. His favorite car was his 1960 corvette. Don and Linda could be found driving down main street with the top down and his beloved dog Bobo in between them. He loved to walk and he continued walking up to his passing.
Later in life Don enjoyed traveling with Linda visiting many other countries but the highlight of his traveling was his trip to Denmark, where he was able to visit his ancestors’ home.
He is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, Linda, sons Jared Hostetter, JJ (Shannon) Hostetter, daughters Amanda (Steve) Yohn of Alamosa, and Jessica (Angelo) Catalano of Colorado Springs. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Logan Hostetter, Grady Hostetter, Olivia Hostetter, Annalee Catalano, Brooke Hostetter, Lillian Hostetter, great-grandchildren Kehlani Hostetter, Lucien Lucero, and step-granddaughter Amber (Adam) Ordal, Shelby and Grayson Ordal, his sister Sybil Tucker, brother-in-law Amos Rodriguez, many nieces and nephews, a handful of caring nurses and doctors, Ken Brewer and a special private caregiver Miya Gray. He is preceded in death by his parents, Royal and Norma Hostetter, sisters Rebecca Sue Hostetter, Catherine Rodriguez, and brother Frank Hostetter.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the LDS Missionary Fund.
A Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa, and from 9:00-9:45 A.M. on Friday at the Alamosa 3rd ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on the corner of 3rd and Richardson in Alamosa with service to follow at 10:00 am. Interment will follow services in the Sanford Cemetery. To express condolences, please visit www.rogersfunerals.com
Rogers Family mortuary in Alamosa is in care of the arrangements.
He learned at an early age how to work and he worked hard his entire life. He was a successful businessman but always stayed humble. He made his start by buying and operating a Sinclair Service Station in Alamosa. Shortly after opening the service station, he started a towing service. His love of drag racing and racing tote gotes in his early years inspired him to start a motorcycle shop, Don’s Kawasaki. One of the highlights while owning the motorcycle shop, Don and Linda were able to travel to visit the Kawasaki Manufacturing plant in Tokyo, Japan to view the new models. After selling the motorcycle shop, he opened a salvage yard along with his established 24-hour towing, which the family is still running and is being managed by his son, Jared.
Don thoroughly enjoyed life and lived it to the fullest. His adventurous spirit took him in many directions. After flying in a hot air balloon, he was hooked. He purchased a hot air balloon with the Kawasaki logo and was licensed as a commercial hot air balloon pilot. Don and his hot air balloon kept the family busy as his chase crew, traveling to several different balloon rallies across the country and creating fond memories that the family cherishes. In the winter, he attached chains to an inverted car hood and used it as a sled to pull the basket with a snowmobile.
Don’s love of the mountains inspired a family cabin being built entirely by him, Linda, and a few other friends. Don was featured in a Science Magazine for building a water turbine to generate power for the family cabin. Another adventure that he thoroughly enjoyed was rafting down the Grand Canyon several times with his nephew, Michael Rodriguez as the guide. He also enjoyed climbing Blanca Peak and hunting with Linda and his brother Frank. Don had a love of classic cars and collected them. His favorite car was his 1960 corvette. Don and Linda could be found driving down main street with the top down and his beloved dog Bobo in between them. He loved to walk and he continued walking up to his passing.
Later in life Don enjoyed traveling with Linda visiting many other countries but the highlight of his traveling was his trip to Denmark, where he was able to visit his ancestors’ home.
He is survived by his wife of almost 58 years, Linda, sons Jared Hostetter, JJ (Shannon) Hostetter, daughters Amanda (Steve) Yohn of Alamosa, and Jessica (Angelo) Catalano of Colorado Springs. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Logan Hostetter, Grady Hostetter, Olivia Hostetter, Annalee Catalano, Brooke Hostetter, Lillian Hostetter, great-grandchildren Kehlani Hostetter, Lucien Lucero, and step-granddaughter Amber (Adam) Ordal, Shelby and Grayson Ordal, his sister Sybil Tucker, brother-in-law Amos Rodriguez, many nieces and nephews, a handful of caring nurses and doctors, Ken Brewer and a special private caregiver Miya Gray. He is preceded in death by his parents, Royal and Norma Hostetter, sisters Rebecca Sue Hostetter, Catherine Rodriguez, and brother Frank Hostetter.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the LDS Missionary Fund.
A Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa, and from 9:00-9:45 A.M. on Friday at the Alamosa 3rd ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, on the corner of 3rd and Richardson in Alamosa with service to follow at 10:00 am. Interment will follow services in the Sanford Cemetery. To express condolences, please visit www.rogersfunerals.com
Rogers Family mortuary in Alamosa is in care of the arrangements.