Independent Living Resident of April at Melody Living in Colorado Springs

We’re excited to introduce you to Melody Living’s Colorado Springs independent living resident of the month, Joe Simkins! 

We love getting to know each of our residents here at Melody Living and we hope you enjoy getting to know more about Joe as our featured resident for April. Joe Simkins was born on November 1929, in Penns Grove, NJ, shortly after his family moved to Baltimore where he spent his childhood through early adulthood.

Joe served in the Marine Corps in an administrative position and in infantry during the Vietnam War. He spent 13 months in Vietnam, he said it was difficult but he is proud of his service. His biggest accomplishment would be receiving a field commission in Vietnam and in 1960 receiving a meritorious promotion to Gunnery Sergeant E7.

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With his first wife, Ruth, Joe raised two daughters in Baltimore before relocating to the San Diego area when one of his daughters was in high school. They lived there for about 7 years before they moved to Black Forest where they had lots of land to enjoy. Joe really loved it, he said they had all kinds of wildlife around that they enjoyed seeing.

After a distinguished 23-year career in the Marines, Joe transitioned to a role as a contract manager in defense contracting. His last job was with the company Raytheon where he met his current wife, Julie. Joe retired in 1995 and Julie retired in 2001, they were married in 2002. Julie had 2 daughters of her own and Joe said it was amazing how well the families blended. Joe and Julie’s family has now expanded to include 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. They enjoy having their family close by and have 1 daughter in Southern California.

Retirement brought newfound freedom for Joe and Julie, igniting their passion for travel. Joe and Julie have explored 38 countries together, creating cherished memories along the way. He says their favorite place to visit is the northern highlands of Scotland. He said it is so beautiful with the lush, green foliage and the brightly painted houses in the villages and the people of Scotland are so warm and welcoming. Joe and Julie loved it. They still aren’t done traveling and have a trip coming up this year to Costa Rica they are looking forward to.

Joe's retirement years have been enriched by a variety of hobbies, from creating stained glass to woodworking and model building. He had a workshop at his house where he could complete his woodworking projects. His favorite project was making authentic cradles recreating the ones made in the olden days where mothers would rock their babies by the fireplace while working on knitting/mending. He also is very skilled at model building and built a replica of the London Bridge which is displayed in one of our display cases here. Joe says his favorite holiday is the 4th of July. He loves the patriotic theme and celebrating America.

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After visiting several senior communities, Joe and Julie found their home at Melody Living. He said the feeling they got right away when walking in sold them. The warm ambiance, attentive staff, and vibrant community captured their hearts. They appreciated the bright, clean lobby and the wide, well-lit hallways. They love their apartment and say it’s just right for them. His favorite thing about Melody Living is the warmth of the management and staff and he feels they all care about the residents. Joe especially appreciates the camaraderie of trivia and Jeopardy days, where his love for history shines. He also loves all the delicious food we serve!  

Although Joe is 95 years old, you would never know it from looking at him or talking with him.  His doctor says he is a marvel! He says his secret for a long life is staying active both mentally and physically. Both he and Julie have been members of the YMCA for 20 years, Joe enjoys swimming and staying fit. He also takes advantage of Melody Livings’s state-of-the-art fitness center to stay active. He attributes his vitality to a balanced lifestyle and the occasional indulgence in a glass of red wine.

Joe's presence at Melody Living is a source of joy and inspiration. Joe is a delight to talk to and we are fortunate to have him as a resident here in our community. We hope you join us and discover a Life in Harmony™ like Joe has with Melody Living Independent Living. To learn more,  visit our contact page or call us at 719.900.1540.
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