Obituary of Jere Turner Joiner

Jere T. Joiner, 81, husband, father, retired police officer and former pilot, passed away on Monday, October 2, 2017. When describing his departure he would say, "Bonanza N1541Z, simply broke formation and took up a new heading into the western sunset".Mr. Joiner was born on May 3, 1936 in El Dorado, Arkansas. Survivors include his wife, Connie Rienstra Joiner, of Colorado Springs; son, Michael H. (Mary) Joiner, of Dallas, Texas; granddaughter, Leigh (Alex) Grosvenor, of Lincoln, Nebraska; and stepchildren John (Alice), Jeffrey (Jeri), Catherine Thompson and their respective families.Jere Joiner attended Louisiana Tech University and Centenary College of Louisiana. He graduated from the LSU Institute of Law Enforcement and the FBI National Academy. He retired as Captain of detectives with the Shreveport Police Department, where he also served as a pilot for the city, police department and local companies.Following retirement in Shreveport, Mr. Joiner was a commander with the El Paso County Sheriff's Department in Colorado Springs. He belonged to the Retired Peace Officers of Colorado and was elected President of the Rocky Mountain Chapter (Colorado and Wyoming) of the FBI National Academy Associates.Mr. Joiner was also a reporter for the former Ute Pass Courier (now Pikes Peak Courier) in Woodland Park, Colorado, where he wrote 350 consecutive weekly columns. For 25 years, he directed courses at Indiana University's Center for Studies of Law in Action. He published one book, Badge of Dishonor, a non-fiction documentary that addressed Shreveport racism and corruption during the 1960's and 1970's.Mr. Joiner belongs to the Quiet Birdmen pilots fraternity, where names are never removed from the membership roster. He was a faithful member of St. Paul Catholic Church, a Knight of Columbus (Council 11634 and 4th Degree Assembly 96), Pikes Peak Opera League and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He loved music theater and was a choral musician for almost 70 years.Visitation, 5:30PM-6:00PM, followed by a Rosary at 6:00PM, Friday, October 13, 2017, The Springs, Funeral Services, 3115 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909.Mass of Christian Burial, 10:00AM, Saturday, October 14, 2017, St. Paul Catholic Church, 9 El Pomar Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906. Graveside, 4:00PM, Sunday, October 15, 2017, Florissant Pioneer Cemetery, 634 County Road #421, Florissant, Colorado, where elk, deer and bear wander, and where snow falls in winter and wildflowers bloom in summer. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may light perpetual shine upon him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to a favorite church music program. Events Visitation Friday, October 13, 2017 5:30PM - 6:00PM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855 Service Friday, October 13, 2017 6:00PM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855 Service Saturday, October 14, 2017 10:00AM St. Paul Catholic Church 9 El Pomar Road Colorado Springs,, CO 80906 Phone: 719-471-9700 Graveside Sunday, October 15, 2017 4:00PM Florissant Cemetery 634 County Road Florissant, CO 00000 Phone: 719-328-1793 Final Resting Place Florissant Cemetery 634 County Road Florissant, CO 00000