Clarence A. Pohja

     Clarence Arvid Pohja was born January 15, 1934, to Reino and Edith Pohja in a small town in the Upper Peninsula called Newberry, Michigan. Clarence has one sister, Donna Jean Pohja (83) who continues to live in Newberry. Clarence worked with his father at the sawmill, the Sugarbush, the home garden and building two cabins on Round Lake.

     Clarence left Michigan to pursue his education in Nursing. As a student nurse his peers decided they would call him Rocky going forward. So Rocky it was, and later others knew him as Grandpa Rocky. While on one of his nursing rotations he met and fell in love with Carole Seufert. They married May 30th, 1958, and lived on Long Island where Clarence began working at Northport VA. His work primarily was in psychiatric nursing as well as outpatient care. He and his wife raised three children, Jeannie, Dan, and Karen. As a young family their free time was spent visiting friends and relatives near and far, as well as enjoying the beach and neighborhood get togethers.  

     In 1966, Clarence was drafted and served as a Captain in the Army Nurse Corp during the Vietnam War. The assigned tour took him and the family to San Antonio, Texas for basic training and then to William Beaumont Hospital in El Paso, Texas. When the family was able to vacation, they traveled in their StarCraft tent camper to all different regions of the country. These trips brought us thousands of memories to cherish forever.

     Clarence and family returned to NY, and he continued his education. He received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Adelphi University. Clarence went on to achieve his Nurse Practitioner license with a certification in Infection Control. After being in Texas having seen so much of the country, Clarence and Carole requested a transfer to Fort Lyon VA where they made La Junta, Colorado their home. Here they raised their children. They were members of the United Methodist Church in La Junta, Colorado where Clarence was an usher and took part in United Methodist Men’s Fellowship. Years later Clarence retired from the Veterans Administration after 31 years of service. Clarence and Carol enjoyed traveling across the country. His hobbies included bowling, golfing, fishing, pinocle and cribbage and he was well-read and had an immense knowledge of geography and history. Clarence’s love of cribbage began as a youth and continued through the years. Recently he was the standing champion in the cribbage tournament at Parker Suites.

     In 2003, Clarence moved to Parker Colorado after his wife of 45 years passed away. His move to this area was to be closer to his family. Clarence continued to work part time with To the Rescue which is an organization that supports clients getting to and from their critical health appointments. Being a retired nurse Clarence was well-suited for this position.

     Clarence was an avid Michigan and Bronco football fan and enjoyed watching and rooting for his teams. He was usually wearing a Michigan or Bronco cap. Clarence also devoted time to watching his grandchildren participate in sports and activities. Eating out was a side passion and he enjoyed taking family out to eat regularly.

     Clarence is preceded in death by his wife, Carole Seufert Pohja (2003), his son-in-law, John McGuire (2010) and one granddaughter, Jenny McGuire (2020).

     Clarence is survived by his sister, Donna Jean Pohja of Newberry, Michigan, his daughter, Jean Pohja McGuire of Parker, Colorado and her children Katie McGuire of Denver, Colorado, Daniel McGuire of Parker, Colorado, Kelly McGuire of Arizona and Annie McGuire of Parker, Colorado. His son, Dan Pohja and his wife Carol of Colorado Springs and their children Chad and Kenzie Pohja of Greeley, Colorado, Tyler and Linnea Whalen of Parker, Colorado, and Mandy and Brian Fabel of Lander Wyoming. His daughter Karen and her husband Brad Matous of Parker, Colorado and their children Morgan, Mason, and Mackenzie. Clarence has 8 Great Grandchildren as well named Ashlyn, Aiden, Ellis, Willa, Sophia, Madison, Penelope, and Stokes.

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