Joe Coors, Jr., an entrepreneur, onetime congressional candidate and member of Colorado's prominent Coors brewing family, has died.
Pete Coors, vice chairman of MolsonCoors Brewing Co., confirmed in a statement that his brother died on Thursday.
Joe Coors was a great-grandson of brewery founder Adolph Coors. He served as president and CEO of CoorsTek Inc., a technical ceramics manufacturing company with operations in more than a dozen countries.
In 2012, Coors mounted an unsuccessful challenge to Democratic U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter. At age 70, it was Coors' first foray into politics.
In addition to his brother, Coors is survived by his wife, Gail, three children and nine grandchildren.
His family released his obituary.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1942, Mr. Coors moved with his family to Golden in 1944. He graduated from Philips Exeter Academy in Exeter, New Hampshire in 1960. In 1962, during his college career at the University of North Carolina, he married the love of his life, Gail Fambrough Coors. He then transferred to North Carolina State University where he received his B.S. degree in Applied Mathematics in 1964.
Mr. Coors held a variety of jobs, including a stock broker, a computer programmer and a systems analyst, before getting called in 1973 to his long career with what was then known as Coors Porcelain Company, later Coors Ceramics Company and now CoorsTek, Inc. He served in numerous roles in quality and various levels of management, both in Golden and in Hillsboro, Oregon, and became the company’s President by 1985. In 1992, Mr. Coors held the office of Chairman of the Board and CEO of Coors Ceramics Company, as well as Co-President of ACX Technologies, Inc., its parent entity. He retired in 2000 at the age of 58, but remained active in other aspects of the Coors family businesses, including as a Manager of Keystone Holdings, LLC and 9th Street Capital, LLC.
Over the years, Mr. Coors served on the Board of Directors for several companies and non-profits, including Hecla Mining Co., Fellowship of Christian Athletes for the State of Colorado, Air Force Memorial Foundation, Colorado School of Mines, St. Anthony Hospital, Flight for Life Colorado and Game Day Memories. He also ran for Congress in the 7th District of Colorado in 2012.
Much more than a successful business leader, Mr. Coors was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, an out-of-the box visionary, angel investor, generous philanthropist, major sports enthusiast, single-digit handicap golfer, helicopter pilot, boat captain, trusted friend and passionate Christ-follower. He and Gail attended Cherry Hills Community Church for over 25 years.
Joe and his wife Gail have been members at The Club at Rolling Hills since 1984, where Joe served as its President three times and led the efforts to complete a beautiful new club house. They also have memberships at Andalusia in La Quinta, California and at the Prairie Club in Valentine, Nebraska.
Mr. Coors is survived by his wife Gail, their children J. Bradford “Brad” Coors and his wife Kathy of Parker, Holland “Holly” M. Coors of Highlands Ranch, Douglas “Doug” M. Coors and his wife Holly of Fort Collins and Darden Coors, of Golden, and nine grandchildren; his brothers Jeffery H. Coors and his wife Lis of Golden, Peter H. Coors and his wife Marilyn of Denver, W. Grover Coors and his wife Sylvia of Golden and John K. Coors and his wife Sharna of Evergreen, CO; his great uncle William K. Coors, of Golden and a great number of cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He is pre-deceased by his parents, Joseph Coors, Sr. and Holland Hanson Coors.
The family says that, in lieu of flowers or sentiments, they suggest donating to one of his favorite charities.
- Colorado School of Mines Foundation at P.O. Box 4005, Golden, CO 80402
- The Club At Rolling Hills Foundation at 15707 West 26th Avenue, Golden, CO 80401
- Game Day Memories, 3651 South Colorado Boulevard, Englewood, CO 80113
