Westminster teacher Joe TeBockhorst’s friends created a park in his honor packed with all his favorite things: kickball, a dunk tank, Gatorade and most importantly, a crowd of people he had loved.

And those people, most attired in green “Joe T. Strong” T-shirts, deeply loved him.

Many of the adults at the Sept. 9 event at Betty Adams Elementary School called TeBockhorst their best friend, and even more students identified him as their favorite teacher. All spoke of him with still-lingering grief, but an even stronger appreciation for the joy he brought to their lives.

TeBockhorst died of stomach cancer on Sept. 9, 2022. He was 39. 

“He was probably the best human being you’d ever meet,” said Jeff Richard, who coached soccer with TeBockhorst. “When he came into a room, you’d just smile. He was that guy.”

“He was the kind of coach and teacher you’d want — enthusiastic, competitive, fun, silly but strict,” said longtime friend Kyleigh Shipp, who met TeBockhorst in a Colorado State University dormitory when the two lived across the hall from one another. “It sucks the world is living without him, but he brought so much joy and happiness to it while he was here.” 

The Westminster native taught at Betty Adams Elementary from 2007 until 2022. He also coached soccer for Westminster Parks and Recreation from 2015 to 2022. 

“He will always be remembered by his students for his wild personality,” his sister-in-law Gretchen TeBockhorst wrote. “Each year, Joe would allow his students to duct tape him to the flagpole, dunk him in the school fundraiser dunk tank and wrap him entirely in wrapping paper during the holiday season.

“After school, he could be found rapping rhymes in math club, outrunning the students in running club and making t-shirts with the student council.  His antics made him a favorite among many of his students over the years. Teaching wasn’t a job for Joe; it was a way of life.”

One of TeBockhorst’s final requests was that the park nearest the school, formerly Trentwood Park, be dedicated in his name. 

That dedication, held one year after his passing, drew students, friends and school community members, along with Westminster firefighters, police and city council members.

Even those at the event who never knew TeBockhorst spoke with a clear sense of the loss he represents to the community. Westminster Mayor Nancy McNally said council members began to understand the magnitude of his influence when a group of TeBockhorst’s friends came to a meeting in early 2023 to request the park dedication.

“It was clear to us Mr. T was an important member of the community when you came and filled the council chambers,” she said, adding that as the council learned more about TeBockhorst, “There wasn’t a dry eye among us.” 

“On behalf of our city council, we share your loss and are so very sorry,” she said. “It is your responsibility to make sure he lives on in this park.”

TeBockhorst’s wife, Melissa, and children Troy, Kayla and Carter unveiled the new sign together. 

“He would have loved this,” Melissa TeBockhorst said, taking in the crowd that filled the newly named park. “You can tell that he touched a lot of people.”