Ellicott rancher dies 2 days after collision with semi

A 76-year-old Ellicott man died Friday, two days after he was injured in a traffic crash in Falcon while on his morning trip for coffee with old friends at an area diner.

Jim Burnside, a rancher, was bound for Sandy's Restaurant near Colorado Springs, where he loved his customary seat at what regulars call the "liars' table," said his son, Steve Burnside of Colorado Springs.

"He enjoyed the stories, and he like to tell 'em too," Steve Burnside said. "On his way home, he would stop at Fuel B's convenience store in Ellicott and have some more coffee."

On Wednesday morning, Burnside was eastbound on Falcon Highway and approaching Meridian Road about 6 a.m. when his sport-utility vehicle collided with an oncoming semi that swung into his lane before attempting a tight turn, said Colorado Highway Patrol Cpl. Randy Novotny.

He was flown to Penrose Main Hospital, where he was pronounced dead about noon Friday.

The driver of the semi, Frederick Christensen of Anita, Iowa, was not injured. He was cited for careless driving.

Burnside lived with his wife, Judy, on a 3,000-acre ranch in Ellicott, where he loved tending to his cattle. He was a devoted father to his four children, Steve Burnside said, and never missed sporting events - with a few exceptions.

"If two of them had a game on the same night, he wouldn't go," Steve Burnside said.

Burnside served as a Navy mechanic on the USS New Jersey toward the end of the Korean War, and later opened up Burnside Electrical near Colorado Springs. He decided to close shop in 1968 to pursue his true love of ranching, his son said.

He is survived by three other children: Bill McAfee of Colorado Springs, Tammy Campbell of Colorado Springs, Susan McAfee-Akers of Ellicott. He had eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

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Contact the writer: 636-0366 or lance.benzel@gazette.com