Peter Harley Pilatus

Pete Harley Pilatus of Hays, KS (Formerly of Denver, Colorado) passed away June 19th, 2022 on Father’s Day while in the comfort of his home from health complications at the age of 72.

He leaves behind his only daughter, Gina Renee Van Decar and son-in-law, Erik Van Decar; his two precious grandsons Brandon Olivo (Greeley, CO) and Sebastyen Olivo (Greeley, CO); and a beautiful great granddaughter, Layla Olivo (Greeley, CO).

Pete was born on March 4th, 1950 in Manteca, CA to Alferd Pilatus and Irma Casto (Pilatus) who predeceased him. He grew up in a wonderful family with one brother David Pilatus (Doris) (Hays, KS) and two sisters; Liz Michealis (Belgrade, MT) and Debra Crawford (Alexandria, VA). He graduated from Manteca High School in 1968 and loved playing the clarinet in the school band. He desired to be a self taught automobile mechanic and that’s exactly what he achieved. His love of fast cars and owning many Mustangs in his life was a dream he fulfilled. He was very adventurous and he loved the outdoors of Colorado including seeing all the different wildlife and doing a lot of ice fishing as well as regular fishing. He also loved to travel to the mountains and has been known to be a wonderful travel Companion.

During Pete’s Life he has been married three times and divorced but loved every single one of them. He has since been living the single life for the past year and was an excellent cook. Pete was a driven man with an unmatched ethic and was an avid computer programmer in his free time. At 72, he was extremely tech savvy and loved watching documentaries on YouTube. Pete was also a very gifted story teller, and he could entertain a group for hours about his adventures and experiences. He absolutely loved life. He loved all of his family and especially his daughter Gina, with all his heart, and he beamed with pride as he walked her down the aisle at her wedding just a few short months ago.

A Graveside Memorial Service will be held in the St. Francis Cemetery in Munjor, Kansas on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 11:30 AM.

The family would especially like to thank Chris, Curt, Scott and John Wellbrock. Melissa Miller, Joe Leiker and Travis Pilatus for the amount of support you have always shown to Pete. He loved you all very much!

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com.

Arrangements in care of Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.