Obituary of Paul Omer Dalpes

Obituary of Paul Dalpes

Paul Omer Dalpes, 87, of Arvada, CO, passed away on July 18, 2023 in Arvada.

Paul was born in Denver to Frank Sr. and Hazel (Pepper) Dalpes on February 12, 1936. As a child, Paul loved animals, including his Dalmatian, Freckles, and his horses, Blaze and Fury. He often told the story of working three newspaper routes at the age of 11 so he could purchase a horse and maintain its care. When Paul was 15 years old, his father became the Golf Professional at Willis Case Golf Course in Denver. The family sold their home on Quitman St. and began living at the golf course where Paul regularly worked as a caddie. He graduated from Holy Family High School in 1954 and briefly attended Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) before joining the military. He first served as a Basic Airman in the 140th Air Base Group of the Colorado Air National Guard and United States Air Force Reserve. He then enrolled in the United States Army and served from 1955-1962, including two years of active duty in Japan, as a member of the Signal Corps. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1962 after serving in the Army Reserves for several years.  

Paul married Eleanor May Hallinan in February, 1961. They were married for almost 60 years before Eleanor passed in December, 2020. They raised four children and Paul was an active and engaged father, coaching his daughter’s soccer team and his son’s basketball and baseball teams as well as giving many golf lessons in the kitchen and backyard of their home. 

Paul and Eleanor were members of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church for over five decades. They also played golf in the men’s and women’s leagues of Indian Tree Golf Course for over 50 years. 

Paul began his career as a golf professional in 1957, first working for his father at Willis Case Golf Course in Denver. In May 1962, Paul began as the Golf Professional at Moab Golf and Country Club in Moab, Utah, where he finished building the nine-hole course. The trees he transplanted from the banks of the Colorado River to the left side of #1 fairway still stand today. This is also the year he officially completed the requirements to become a member of the Professional Golf Association. Beginning in January 1965, Paul served as the Golf Professional for Cortez Golf Course, in Cortez, Colorado. In July of that year, Paul was part of a foursome that played 54 holes of golf in 6 states in a 15 hour period, which garnered National attention. During his golfing career, Paul achieved a total of twelve hole-in-one scores.

Before Paul retired and worked as a groundskeeper at his beloved Indian Tree Golf Course, Paul worked as a salesman of golf equipment and was also employed by R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Paul was a business entrepreneur and in the late 1970’s he purchased and managed several convenience stores and bowling alleys.

Paul is survived by his four children : Paulette Dalpes and her wife, Kathy Obear of Denver; Andrew Dalpes of Los Angeles, CA; Mark Dalpes of Denver; and Michael Dalpes of Harleysville, PA; as well as their grandchild, Casey Dalpes of Harleysville, PA. Paul is also survived by his sister Mary DeJiacomo and her husband James of Parrish, FL; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins including Dan and Mary Ann Dalpes and Dennis Dalpez.

Funeral services will be announced at a later date. The final resting place for Paul and Eleanor will be Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to both Nightingale Suites and Abode Hospice for providing such loving care of Paul.