James Michael Lebar

James (Jim) Michael Lebar of Centennial, Colorado passed away on Saturday, after suffering a heart attack.

Jim was born on July 6, 1966, to Joseph and Bernadette Lebar on a U.S. military base in Okinawa, Japan.  After graduating from Littleton High School in 1984, Jim attended Northern Arizona University for 1 year to play Division 1 college hockey for the Lumberjacks.  He subsequently attended Colorado State University and finished his bachelor’s degree in finance at Regis University. Jim continued his education at the University of Denver to ultimately obtain a master’s degree in finance. 

He started his lifelong finance career at Merrill Lynch.   Over the years, Jim worked for several companies including MCI, Coors Tech, and Qwest. He then started his own financial planning practice for 15 years. 

In 1991, at Cherry Hills Country Club, Jim met Janet (Aderholdt), whom he had dated for 5 years and married in 1996.  In 1999 Jim and Janet had twins, Elizabeth & John, better known as Beth and Jack. Jim’s children were the pride and joy of his life.  Almost every day he shared prideful moments with family and friends of his children's many accomplishments.  His most treasured memories were watching Beth's (high school and college) golf games and Jack's (high school, junior, and college) hockey games. Jim loved the game of hockey.  He started playing when he was 4 years old.  He frequently said he would rather be on skates than in shoes. Growing up, Jim would attend the Denver Spurs and DU Pioneer games with his father. Jim met some of the greats - Bobby Orr, Stan Mikita, and others.  In recent years, Jim coached at Heritage High School to share his love of the game with so many.

Jim had a magnetic personality, larger than life. Everywhere he went, he knew someone, or someone recognized him. Hiking in Estes Park, he saw a fraternity brother, at the airport in Washington DC, he ran into a hockey friend, in Scotland for his sister's wedding someone recognized him while walking the royal mile. His jokes, hockey stories, and infectious smile will never be forgotten.

Jim is survived by his wife Janet, daughter Beth and son Jack, as well as his mother, Bernadette, and sisters Karen Werner and Holly Groat. He is predeceased by his father Joe. 

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