John Ludlam Endowed Scholarship
This scholarship was established in honor of John Ludlam.
A Quiet Man of Music. There are men of many words. John Ludlam was a man of few words, and sometimes no words. In this world a man is not measured by his words, but by his deeds. And if deeds are the true measure of a Man, then John Ludlam, a quiet man of music, lived a great life. His great life included expressions of love and faith through service. Perhaps he was best known for sharing his music.
John sang and played the guitar at weddings, memorial services, Sunday morning worship, Christmas Cantatas and music festivals. Music was his gift to life. Today, he lives on through those that heard his life’s song. He was in several men’s choral groups and quartets.
He also showed love through craftsmanship. John was a consummate maker of things. He felt at home in his workshop. John made all manner of wooden treasures and consistently crafted beautiful creations for his wife, children, grandchildren, friends and family.
John was more than his music and craft.
The new testament claims that, among other things, love is patient, generous and love is kind. No person in the world exhibited these attributes more than he. John’s patience at times seemed inexhaustible, and his natural, gentle kindness helped shape his children and grandchildren giving them a model for how to treat others. His kind heart was always on display, and he allowed those he loved to pursue their lives without criticism or judgment.
John and his wife Kathy shared a lifelong love for geology having met and graduated from Mesa State College with geoscience degrees. Throughout their lives together, much time was spent exploring the mysteries of geologic time and celebrating the wondrous landscapes of western Colorado. John was among the first graduates to receive their bachelor’s degree from Mesa State as a four year institution.
John was a foundation for those who relied on his steadfast nature. He was a man of his word, and also demonstrated how a man can be emotional. John was always the first to shed a tear at a beautiful song, or at the milestone moments of his children and grandchildren.
His humility and appreciation for simple things was an echo of the midwestern ethic his grandparents brought with them from Kansas. His parents Melvin and Ruth Ludlam demonstrated the same simple-life virtues as they carved their own path, and created a new life for their family in Grand Junction in the 1950s.
John and Kathy were blessed with two children -David and Anne. As their children grew up, they never missed a game or event, and continued this consistent support by attending the concerts, recitals and sporting events of their grandchildren, Sienna and Grace. While he will no longer be seen sitting in the bleachers, John’s spirit can still be seen in the kind and loving hearts displayed by his granddaughters.
Beyond watching loved ones play sports, John and Kathy shared together a lifelong passion for playing volleyball -a sport they enjoyed passionately throughout their marriage.
In 2021, John’s daughter Anne moved home from the Pacific Northwest. He was able to spend the last few years of his life building new memories with her. They reconnected as he helped remodel her home, transform her backyard and make regular visits as he delivered acts of love driving between his house and her home.