David K. Hackenberry
December 21, 1961 ~ February 21, 2003
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
David K. Hackenberry, HTR, age 41, of Pueblo passed away on February 21, 2003, after suffering a massive stroke. Born on December 12, 1961, in Los Alamos, N.M. He is survived by his Life Partner, Warren Evans and children, Laura and David Evans of the family home; parents, Vivian and Lester Hackenberry of Los Alamos, N.M.; sister, Leslie (Stan) Vallejos of Pueblo; brother, Stephen (Rebecca) Hackenberry of Los Alamos, N.M.; and mother and father-in-law, Billie Carol and A.L. Simmons of San Antonio, Tx. Also survived by nieces and nephews, Quirina, Mauro, and Linnea Vallejos and Jennifer, Patrick and Kristopher Hackenberry.
David had a passion for social justice and civil rights. David helped found Pueblo After 2 in 1993 and was currently serving as President of Southern Colorado Equality Alliance (formerly Pueblo After 2) in 2003. He was a leader in and advocate for the GLBT community in Pueblo and throughout Colorado.
Following high school graduation, David was an exchange student in Japan. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1985 with a BS degree in Horticulture Therapy and was employed as a horticulturist for the Colorado Department of Corrections since 1989 and gained national and international recognition for his vocational horticulture program that provided job training for inmates. David also served as VP of the SCCF/PMC Employee Council, and was formerly an officer of the Mountain and Plains chapter of AHTA.
David was an active member of Christ Congregational UCC Church where he published the church newsletter and shared his musical gifts in the bell choir and church choir. David hosted the Church's annual Plant Sale for seven years and most of the plants were grown by his inmate crew at Pueblo Minimum Center. David loved his family and friends, the great outdoors, gardening, the arts, travel, and eating Sushi.
The family and friends wish to thank Sandi Nebl, RN, PA and the medical staff of the Neurological ICU at Parkview Medical Center for their caring and special attention to the needs of David as well as his longtime partner.
A viewing for family and friends will be held at the funeral home Monday from 3 until 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Cremation, Montgomery & Steward Crematorium. A Memorial Service in celebration and honor of David's life will be held on 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 25, at First United Methodist Church, 11th and Court, with the Rev. Dan Geslin officiating. The family will host a reception following the service in the church hall. Donations may be made in David's memory to Southern Colorado Equality Alliance and/or Christ Congregational UCC, through the funeral home.
Our thoughts are with you…
Dear Warren, Vivian and Lester and friends and family of David,
I knew David through horticultural therapy classes where David was a guest speaker. I also know him through the Mountains and Plains Chapter of AHTA. David was also present at some of the national meetings in HT. I always enjoyed his company and his enthusiam and passion for HT. I mourn my own loss of a friend and a fine human being. David was well-known in HT and gardening circles. He was well-liked and an inspiration to all.
I send you my prayers and thoughts during this difficult time. David’s work has reached a lot of people. I even met one of his students/inmates in the garden center at the Home Depot in Littleton, Colo. She thinks a lot of David and I will pass the news on to her. I am sure that he has impacted many lives during his short time here on earth. I will miss him.
A friend-Sarah Delaloye
My heart is saddened with the loss of David. His HT work will always be an inspiration to our profession. He will be missed by many. May peace be with him and those he loved. Patty Doss
I had the pleasure of working with David for several years at Mountain Valley Developmental Services in Glenwood Springs right after David finished Kansas State. He was loved by all the clients and staff alike for his kindness, gentleness, and sense of humor. He also landscaped my backyard in 1988, I think, and he would enjoy how beautiful it still looks today. Right now I’m looking at an Andrew Dasburg print that he gave me as a thank you for storing some furniture for him while he first got settled into Pueblo. He was such a wonderfully warm and talented man and I feel lucky to have known him and had him in my life. My deepest sympathies go to his partner, his children and all his family. He will be greatly missed!
My deepest thoughts and sympathies are with David’s family and friends at this time. I am blessed to have known him as a friend and to have worked with him in Glenwood Springs.
We send our thoughts and prayers to all of David’s family and friends. The Fites
David can now play in his garden at anytime! Not to mention water it without any restrictions.
Peace and Love be with Warren and all of David’s family and friends.
Sincerely,
Cheryl, Master Gardener
I was listening this morning to music that you and I enjoyed many years ago. And so, I’m thinking of you as I do often. I miss you. As I reflect, I realize that you were a part of all the big events – the graduations, the new homes, the marraiges, the births – and so many of the happy (and sad)little moments in between. For our 25 years you were such a solid, funny, compasionate, available friend. I was so lucky to have you.