John Robert Klug, Jr. passed away on July 5, 2026 and was born on January 27, 1945, in Jefferson City, Missouri, to Constance Winsor Klug and John Robert Klug. His father was serving overseas in World War II and did not meet him until he was nine months old. John was raised in Lebanon, Missouri, where he enjoyed 4-H, Scouts, arrowhead hunting, and ham radio.
He graduated from Lebanon High School and the Missouri School of Mines with a mechanical engineering degree before earning a Fulbright Scholarship to the University of Madrid. John served in the U.S. Army at the Pentagon before earning his MBA from Harvard Business School. He began his career at Shakey’s Pizza and later founded Customer Communications Group (CCG), building it into a successful publishing company.
While traveling in Europe, he met Carol Wallbank in London, who would become his wife. John and Carol raised their family in Colorado, welcoming Lucy (1974), Noah (1976), Scarlett (1980), and later adopting Simon from Seoul, South Korea, in 1986. They created a vibrant family life at “Foxholes Farm” in Evergreen and enjoyed annual trips to Mexico. In later years, John was a devoted caregiver to Carol during her long illness until her passing in 2003.
In 2006, he married Bernice Pasut, with whom he shared a deep and loving relationship. As a former nurse practitioner in oncology, Bernice was able to assist John with his medical needs throughout his illness with skill, devotion, and compassion. The family is eternally grateful for her love and care for John. Bernice and John split their time between homes in Denver and Puerto Aventuras, Mexico.
John was an inventor and early internet pioneer with multiple patents. He was a dedicated Rotarian, serving in Denver and Playa del Carmen. A polio survivor, he was especially committed to Rotary’s global polio eradication efforts and supported initiatives in rural internet access, healthcare, and water and nutrition programs in Mexico.
Known for his generosity and mentorship, John was a beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather (“Cito”), and friend. His legacy of intellectual rigor, curiosity, service, and love for family and community will endure.
He is survived by his wife, Bernice; his children Lucy (Mark) Dickhoff, Noah (Kristina) Klug, Simon (Vikki) Klug, and Scarlett (Patrick) Weis; stepchildren Marco (Chelsea) Sessa and John (Amanda) Sessa; his grandchildren Reggie Dickhoff; Jack and Sam Klug; Raphael Weis; Juneau and Hana Klug; Isabella, Cannon, and Brody Sessa (Marco); and Samantha and Jackson Sessa (John); his siblings, Harry (Joy) Klug, Theresa (Fred) Holtzclaw, Carolyn (John) Marshall, and Margaret (Darrel) Scheperle; extended family; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Carol, and his granddaughter Alexandra Dickhoff.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 16, at 10:00 AM at Holy Ghost Catholic Church (1900 California Street, Denver, CO), followed by a reception at The Brown Palace Hotel, 321 Seventeenth St, Denver, CO 80202. Interment of ashes with Military Honors will be Friday, July 17, at 1:00 PM, Evergreen Memorial Park, 26624 N. Turkey Creek Rd, Evergreen, CO 80439.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Denver Rotary Foundation.
Arrangements are under the direction of Horan & McConaty Funeral Service and Cremation of Denver, Colorado.
