Long-time Oak Creek resident John Yurich passed away suddenly on December 3, 2023.  He was 85 years old.  John was born, raised and lived all his life in his childhood home in Oak Creek.  He was a graduate of Oak Creek Union High School class of 1955.  Following high school, he attended CSU in Ft. Collins.  He entered the US Army in 1961 doing basic training at Ft. Ord, CA and saw service in West Germany until his discharge in late 1962. After leaving the military John worked for many years for the Town of Oak Creek as its public works director.  He also worked for the Upper Yampa Water Conservancy and was superintendent of the Yamcolo/Stagecoach Dam and Stillwater Dam.  He was active in local Democratic Party politics.  John was preceded in death by his companion of 40 years, Reta McNutt.  He was also preceded in death by his parents, Frank, Sr. and Rose, siblings Steve, Frank, Jr., Anna, Mike and Peter.  He is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.  Graveside services will take place on January 13, 2024, at 11am at the Oak Creek Cemetary.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be in made in John's memory to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the American Cancer Society.