November 15, 1944 – August 29, 2024
Stanley Joe Jost was born November 15, 1944, to Herb and Fern Jost in Marion, KS. He spent his early childhood with his older brother Maurice (Mo) and younger sister, Bonnie. In 1953, the family moved to Lincoln where he graduated from Southeast Lincoln High School in 1963. Stan then attended John Brown University participating in track and baseball. His time at John Brown University was cut short when he refused to wear socks with his shoes per the request of the school’s dean. Not all was lost as this is where Stan learned to play the guitar by sneaking into a classmate’s room to self-teach himself to play the guitar by ear.
Soon after, Stan was drafted by the Army for the Vietnam War where he served from 1966-1968. He avoided front line battle by typing prescribed medications for a doctor. He was even “prescribed” moccasins due to the discomfort caused by army boots. In addition, his love of music continued as he played the guitar to pass the time and entertain his fellow soldiers. After fulfilling his duty, he quickly left Army life behind to start the next chapter.
He and his friend started a duo called “Stan and Dan”; they sang folk music at local bars in the Omaha and Lincoln area before touring colleges across the United States. They were signed by the National Coffeehouse Circuit, they even performed at a private birthday party for Johnny Carson. This duo came to an end, but the greatest duo was yet to come.
He then landed in Salida to sing at the Monarch Lodge where he caught the eye of an adoring young fan, Jacquelyn (Jackie) Carricato. It was love at first sight, and the two became inseparable even starting a new band, “Stan and Jackie”. He wasted little time, and they were soon married on November 6, 1971, as he knew Jackie was the One! For 25 years he and Jackie, along with their business partners, Mike and Jane Swantek started, constructed, and operated Mt. Shavano Ski Shop. For a short period of time, they lived in Maysville, Colorado, where they welcomed Courtney Jo into their lives in February of 1982. They then moved to Salida in the house he built with his own two hands. She was forever referred to as his Chula, and he loved her with every ounce of his heart. He shared the game of golf with her, spoiled her rotten, and got a twinkle in his eye every time he saw her or heard her voice.
Soon after, Stan and Jackie performed at various bars and pubs in Colorado with beloved friends joining the band throughout the years. They were well attended, and his beautiful voice was a soothing sound. He loved his Broncos, golf, good food, laughter with friends, and let us not forget … Happy Hour!! Stan was quick witted and an epic storyteller with just enough of a hint of embellishment to make the story even better. If you saw Stan, Jackie was not too far away and if you saw Jackie, Stan was not too far away … you just learned to say, “There is Stan and Jackie.” Stan was a natural athlete who broke pins when bowling, won many golf tournaments with his golfing partner, Dave Chelf, and even won a long drive contest. He was an entrepreneur to say the least and could fix anything and everything with not much of a tolerance for directions and rules. He also operated a central-vacuum business, repossessed vehicles for a local bank, and provided maintenance services for the same bank in addition to the Windmill restaurant.
In 2007, he was gifted a grandson, Landon Jovani Houska with his first words being Grand…. PA! He loved to talk with him, golf with him, give him a hard time, and sing to him. He passed on his love of golf, Ford Mustangs, and dogs … he never met a dog he did not like.
The last day of Stan’s life was spent in the VA Home in Walsenburg, Colorado, where the nurses loved him and raved about his beautiful green eyes and smile. They said he would never stop moving.
He is survived by his beautiful wife, Jackie, his brother Mo (Sally) Jost of Seward, NE; sister Bonnie (Jim) Hahn of Johnson Lake, NE; daughter Courtney (Shane) Houska and grandson Landon Houska of Fort Collins, CO. His extended family includes the Carricato sisters, Linda Rush and Patty (Larry) Smith of Salida, CO. In addition, nieces and nephews who loved Uncle Stan as he was quick to laugh and smile and share a story or two. He was preceded in death by his father, Herb and mother, Fern along with his beloved brother-in-law and friend, Robert Rush.
The service will be held at Lewis & Glenn Funeral Home on Saturday, September 7th at 10:30am in
Salida, Colorado. Interment will follow right after at Fairview Cemetery with a reception following at Salida Golf Club.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (www.lbda.org).
