nick

Col. Nick Badovinac Jr. age 69, passed away May 9, 2000. He was born on Nov. 19, 1930, in Pueblo to Nick and Mary Occhiato Badovinac. Col. Badovinac spent his early years in California where he attended John Marshall High School in Los Angeles. He excelled in football and played in the first Milk Bowl. An avid boxer, Nick sparred with professionals during high school and Jr. College. As a childhood actor, he was the regular stand-in for Bobby Watson, the star of "Boys Town". In 1953, Col. Badovinac was drafted into the US Army and served two tours of duty during the Korean Conflict. After the Korean Conflict he entered Officers Candidate School and began his 30 year career as an officer in the U.S. Army. His assignments included two tours of duty in Viet Nam, and service at a variety of foreign and domestic posts including Japan, the Pentagon, and three years as Commander of the U.S. Army Forces in Puerto Rico. During a courageous military life, Col. Badovinac was the recipient of the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit twice, two Bronze stars, three Purple Hearts, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Medal with V Device. While in the service he also graduated from the Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and completed a Bachelors Degree from Park College in Kansas City, Kan. After Col. Badovinac's retirement from the military, the family returned to Pueblo where he developed the Youth Program for Bowling which involved over 1,000 children and sponsored a Youth Bowling Traveling League. Col. Badovinac was an avid bowler for 50 years and had to his credit a 800 series, seventeen 300 games, and numerous tournament championships around the world. In 1999 he was inducted into the Pueblo Bowling Assoc Hall of Fame. At the time of his death he owned and operated the Up Your Average Bowling Pro Shop and was a member of BPOE and Pueblo Aerie No. 145. Survivors include his wife, Lorie: children, Nickey Joe (Sally Horne) Badovinac, Toni Ann Badovinac, Mary Rose (Howard) Rose, John Michael
(Jennifer) Badovinac, Steven Paul (Sheila) Badovinac, Christopher Andrew Badovinac and Shawn Pinamonte. Grandchildren include
Robert Nick Toni Rewitzer, Paul David Badovinac, Nikael Ruskin Badovinac, Blake Anthony Badovinac, Kyle Austin Rose, Andrea May Rose, Brittany Ann Rose, Laura Ashley Rose, Kassandra Rose Rose, Hailey Lynn Badovinac and Jordan Noah Badovinac. Nick is also survived by his brother, Michael Anthony Badovinac; the mother of his children, Algie May Didlaukies; aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Ann Marie Badovinac Phegley and three grandchildren.