James Bieker

Jim Bieker, age 83, of Brighton, Colorado, passed away on March 6, 2026.

Born in Denver on November 1, 1942, to Barney and Mary Bertha Bieker, Jim was the oldest of two children. He graduated from Brighton High School before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, where he served as a radar technician aboard the USS Furse (DD-882) during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. In 1966, he married the love of his life, Peggy Derr.

A lifelong resident of Brighton aside from his naval service, Jim owned and operated the Palace Barber Shop for sixty years. He took great pride in his work and the many friendships he formed, often speaking warmly of cutting the hair of multiple generations within the same families.

Jim found joy in simple pleasures—fishing, camping, and traveling with Peggy and their daughter DeAnne. The family spent many happy summers in the mountains and at amusement parks across the country, and he especially looked forward to trips to Central City, Las Vegas, and watching WWE wrestling. In later years, he cherished cruises with Peggy and visits to his daughter and her family.

He is survived by his wife Peggy Bieker, brother Eugene (Kelly) Bieker, daughter DeAnne (Raffelle) Ciaravola, grandchildren Emilia (Ian) Anderson, Victoria (Ben) Steitz, and A.J. Ciaravola, and great-grandchildren Olivia Anderson, Ezra Steitz, and Eowyn Steitz. He was preceded in death by his parents and his niece Stephanie George.