Les ("Sonny") Samelson, 75, of Eagle, Colo., passed away peacefully on July 29, 2024, at Highline Place in Littleton, Colo., from complications of frontotemporal dementia.

Lester Elias Jr. bounced into this world on Nov. 17, 1948, the only child of Lester Elias Sr. and Jennie Cohn Samelson (Magdovitz) of Memphis, Tenn. Nicknamed "Sonny" by his mother, the bright, energetic, independent boy spent much of his youth taking road trips with his parents, romping with his dogs, going to camp, playing dodgeball at school and football with neighborhood friends, biking, fishing, boxing, and swimming—a sport for which he won many ribbons. He completed confirmation at Temple Israel in 1964.

His teen years found him dove hunting, drag racing, mowing lawns, cleaning pools, and working at James Davis men's clothing store, where he earned $5,000 to buy his prized first car: a '67 blue Corvette convertible. He obtained his Realtor license at 18 and worked for his parents' real estate firm, knocking on doors for clients and writing contracts on the hood of his car (he became the firm's principal in 1976).

After Sonny graduated in 1967 from White Station High School, where his favorite subject was history, he studied Real Estate/Construction and Finance at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville and University of Memphis. Sonny trained in 1970 as a postman in the Air Force Reserve at Lackland AFB, Tex., and in Biloxi, Miss. He was honorably discharged.

Sonny started in construction and development in 1972. He built or remodeled about 80 houses in Memphis and Colorado's Vail Valley—so many that he lost count—plus townhouses and a commercial building in downtown Eagle. He loved the jobsite camaraderie and on powder days he gave his crew time off to ski, one of his longtime passions. As a mentor, he freely shared his knowledge of all facets of construction. Outstanding ethics, quality workmanship, business acumen, determination, a nose for opportunity, willingness to take a risk, and keen managerial, financial, and interpersonal skills defined his career as a Realtor, general contractor, and developer. He most appreciated the long-lasting effects of his work, seen in clients' enjoyment of their homes. Sonny retired in 2020 to spend time relaxing, walking, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, gardening, reading about Western history, watching Westerns and sports, and traveling with family.

On Friday, Sept. 13, 1968, he got in line to dance with his beautiful future wife, Carolyn Hyatt (Samelson), at a University of Tennessee dance. ("I waited endlessly for Carolyn and I've been waiting ever since!" he joked.) The couple married in 1972 in Russellville, Ala., and went on to have two children, Jenna (Browning) and Lee. Sonny sold his interest in the Memphis real-estate office and the family relocated to the Vail Valley in 1991. Sonny was a devoted, generous, kind, steady, fun-loving, and affectionate husband, father, and grandfather.

Born near the Mississippi River bluffs and rooted in the Rocky Mountains, Sonny harbored a lifelong affinity for the sea. The landlubber with sparkling blue eyes enjoyed some of his best days scuba diving, sailing, and swimming in the waters of the Gulf Coast, Caribbean, and Hawaii. His last snowy winter in the mountains, he cut the legs off his jeans, put on his new jorts, and declared he was going to Florida. His late-blooming inner artist emerged as he painted watercolor pictures and ocean scenes. The final book he read with his daughter was Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea, twice.

Sonny's true masterpiece was his family, which he always put first. He was predeceased by his beloved parents, stepfather Joe Magdovitz, aunt Louise Cohn, and musical hero Jimmy Buffett—who we imagine welcomed Sonny to the after-party with a smile, a sailor's song, and a cold one. Sonny is survived by his wife and children; brother-in-law, Wayne P. Hyatt Jr. and wife Fran; son-in-law, Dave Browning; and twin grandsons, Bryson and Xander Browning. Teaching his children and grandsons to ski and bike and, in turn, seeing the world through their eyes brought Sonny immense joy.

Sonny had a language all his own. His family loved his endearing, Southern-accented malapropisms—and he would heartily laugh along at his own expense. (Waitstaff across France were flummoxed when he repeatedly pointed to his empty water glass and said, "wor-dare.") When his ability to speak faded, he remained quick to flash a mischievous smile or a peace sign, give a thumb's up, shake a hand, or offer a hug. He could also crush you in bingo.

"It's been a good time," he reflected in summer 2022. "I've enjoyed everything about my life."

The family thanks the memory care staff, caregivers, healthcare and hospice professionals, friends, volunteers, service dogs, and countless others who supported Sonny in his twilight years. Sonny's belief that the soul is everlasting gave him comfort.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024, at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow at 3 p.m., at Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 1980 Dahlia St., Denver, CO 80220. For the memorial service livestream and video, visit Les "Sonny" Samelson Memorial . He will be interred at Montview's columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Habitat for Humanity , an organization for which he volunteered in Denver; the Alzheimer's Association of Colorado ; or The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration .