Judy Roylynn (Garcia) Kuhlman

Judy Roylynn (Garcia) Kuhlman was born in Silverton Colorado on July 2nd, 1947, to Frederico & Genevieve (Abeyta) Garcia. She was the second oldest of 5 siblings. She was born in the Miners Union hospital in Silverton. Judy grew up loving Silverton, graduated high school in 1965. She then enrolled at the University of Colorado in Boulder. As a freshman, she selected Elementary Education as her major of choice. Judy’s time in college was cut short as she became pregnant with her first of 4 children, Kimberly.

Prior to giving birth to Kim, Judy and Ernie were married in Silverton. Judy would then give birth to Michelle Rummel (Bobby) of Ouray, Kevin Kuhlman (Christina) of Temecula Ca, and Krystal Kuhlman of Montrose. Judy was preceded in death by her oldest daughter Kimberly, her parents, brother Gilbert, and her husband Ernie.

Judy is survived by her children, sisters Jennifer (Haupt), Mary Kay Garcia, and brother Gerald Garcia. She also is also survived by seven grandchildren, and two great- grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Judy loved the Silverton mountains, the snow, the closeness of the people she grew up with, and loved the fact that she never lived anywhere else. Judy was very active all the way up to her last year. Judy loved to ride her Yamaha motorcycle along with Ernie and many others in and around town during the 70’s. She always participated in wintertime volleyball at the high school, was very active during the winter and enjoyed cross-country skiing around town. She was also known to participate in the Kendall Mountain run a handful of times. Judy was known for the work her and Ernie would put into Halloween, she loved scaring the local kids as they came up to the house, not knowing if it was Judy in that chair, or a mannequin. Ernie was always seen during the fall driving Judy up the roads in town, up the Lackawanna Mill and then would drop her off with a bag in hand. She would then walk through the trees downhill hunting for wild mushrooms.

She would then bring them home, cook them up in butter and garlic and feast! Judy was also very passionate when it came to organizing the local blood drive. She was known to “strong arm” people in town to donate blood, especially when they had reservations, she was very persuasive that way. She also donated many hours over the years to the United Cancer Society with donations and charity work. Judy’s love and passion was and always will be Hardrockers Holidays- this event and weekend was her lifeblood and part of who she was. In the early years Judy was part of many Tug-o-War teams, and sat front seat on many championship teams, not only in Silverton, but on State of Colorado competitions where she participated and won many a trophy. Over the past 30 years or so, Judy began participating in all the mining events that were in the past just set aside for the men. Judy prided herself on participating in the wheelbarrow race, spike driving, hand mucking and hand steeling to name a few- there wasn’t an event she didn’t try her hand in, and one she didn’t excel at. Judy was most proud this last year in 2025- she was so excited to participate in her 50thconsecutive year at the age of 77!! That was a major milestone and one she competed with class!!

Judy was one of a kind, a woman that loved the town she was born in, a woman that never wanted to live anywhere else. She will always be seen in town wearing her fur coat, setting up a blood drive, and will always be seen at the Kendall Mountain ski area atop the Tug-O-War board listening to Ernie yell “give a little rope” and waiting for the gun to sound to win yet another trophy. Rest in peace Judy- enjoy your lost days with Kimberly.