From butterflies to golf, softball and baseball, to swimming and tennis, Harold D. Lutz left a lasting impression on children living in Front Range communities.

Mr. Lutz died Sunday morning at Lutheran Medical Center of complications from emphysema. He was 87.

The former lawyer and two- term county judge helped found the North Jeffco Metropolitan Recreation District in 1956; the South Jeffco Recreation District, now known as Foothills Metropolitan Recreation District, in 1959; and the Evergreen Metropolitan Recreation and Parks District in 1969.

Each of the districts retained Mr. Lutz as legal counsel until his retirement. The Harold Lutz Sports Complex in Arvada bears his name.

Mr. Lutz also was instrumental in the opening of Indian Tree, Foothills and Meadows golf courses.

For the past 10 years, he served as a board member for the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster.

Mr. Lutz, who was born Jan. 27, 1920, in Keokuk, Iowa, was legal counsel for the Jefferson County School District for 18 years, resigning in 1974.

He married Marcetta Rhoads on March 22, 1943. He served as a communications expert in North Africa while in the Army during World War II. He was a graduate of the University of Denver law school and was a pitcher on the Pioneers baseball team.

"Dad's whole thing was helping kids," said his youngest son, Jon. "Dad couldn't swim at all and he was concerned with the number of drownings that had occurred in the county, and he wanted to do something about it. He was not going to deprive any child from learning the joys and safety of swimming. So, he started the recreation center."

"He was so proud of the Apex Center (West 72nd Avenue and Ward Road) when it opened as it was the biggest recreation center in the country at the time," Jon said. "It was just a jewel."

"Harold was a real futurist and could really project into the future," said Robert Bonacci, president and CEO of the Butterfly Pavilion. "He was my mentor. . . .His efforts were just phenomenal and rendered with incredible humility. President Truman once said you can do anything as long as you don't care who gets the credit, and that was Harold."

Mr. Lutz is survived by his wife; sons Mark, Joseph, David, Steve and Jon; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Services will be at 2 p.m. Aug. 11 at Wheat Ridge Presbyterian Church, 9180 W. 38th Ave.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Harold D. Lutz to North Jeffco Recreation District, 13150 W. 72nd Ave., Arvada, CO 80005, and the Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 104th Ave., Westminster, CO 80020.

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