Harold D. Lutz never learned how to swim, which his sons say may be the main reason he helped found the North Jeffco Park and Recreation District.
In 1956, there had been several drownings, and Lutz “was not going to deprive any child from learning the joys and safety of swimming,” his youngest son, Jon, said. “His way of making sure that happened was to build swimming pools for children.”
Lutz, who died Sunday at age 87, was recognized for his work in the 1980s when North Jeffco dedicated the ballfields at 10664 W. 58th Ave. as the Harold D. Lutz Sports Complex.
“He was there to actually cut the ribbon in the 1980s, but when they had the rededication a few years ago, he didn’t attend since he didn’t want accolades,” Jon Lutz said.
“But for Harold Lutz, the recreation district never would have existed,” said Gail “Doc” Gilbert, a former Arvada mayor and Lutz’s best friend. “The citizens voted for it, but they didn’t vote any money to get it started.”
Lutz, who was the district’s lawyer, worked to allow the district to levy taxes and even picked up the phone bill.
Lutz also helped create the Evergreen Park and Recreation District and the South Jeffco Recreation District, which is now the Foothills Park and Recreation District.
Lutz’s career included an appointment as a Jefferson County judge in 1950 to fill a vacancy and winning election to the judgeship in 1952.
In 1956, Lutz began what would be an 18-year stint as attorney for the Jefferson County School District. During his tenure, hot topics included sex education and organization of a teachers union.
“He was nice guy,” said Gilbert, who became friends with Lutz during his three terms as Arvada’s mayor. “It’s kind of hard to see him leave.”
For nearly 60 years, Lutz, a Democrat, and Gilbert, a Republican, argued politics.
“We sure tossed it back and forth,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert said he once explained to Lutz that he was being a good Republican, to which Lutz retorted: “There’s no such thing as a good Republican.”
Lutz was born Jan. 27, 1920, in Keokuk, Iowa, and married Marcetta Rhoads on March 22, 1943. In addition to his wife, survivors include five sons, Mark of Phoenix, Joe of Littleton, Steve of Houston, and David and Jon of Wheat Ridge; brothers Donald and Charles; sisters Betty, Jane, Jean, Darlene and Marge; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to the North Jeffco Recreation District, 13150 W. 72nd Ave., Arvada, CO 80005, and the Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster, CO 80020.
Services are planned for 2 p.m. Aug. 11 at Wheat Ridge Presbyterian Church, 9180 W. 38th Ave.
Staff writer Ann Schrader can be reached at 303-278-3217 or aschrader@denverpost.com.
This article has been corrected in this online archive. Originally, it omitted his sister Darlene’s name from the list of survivors.
