JACK DHOOGHE

John (Jack) Dhooghe was a lifelong firearms historian and devoted gun collector. Over the course of his adult life he built an extraordinary collection with a special emphasis on Civil War–era rifles, carbines, and handguns. 

Friends and fellow collectors remember Jack as a patient mentor, a steady voice of expertise, and a man who believed that every firearm carried a story worth preserving. His home was filled not only with meticulously cared-for pieces of history, but also with the warmth of someone eager to share their significance.

His dedication to the field extended well beyond his personal collection. Jack was a lifelong member of the Colorado Gun Collectors Association and proudly served as its president for three consecutive years—2008, 2009, and 2010. Under his leadership, the organization expanded its membership and strengthened its commitment to historical preservation, efforts that left a lasting mark on the collecting community.

Gun collecting was his passion but Jack had another means to build a career, that of an aviation enthusiast and lifelong certified flying instructor.  He arrived in Colorado Springs with a dream, a dream that was Classic Air at Meadow Lake Airport. More than just a business, Classic Air became a welcoming place for pilots and aviation enthusiasts. From aircraft rentals and fuel to maintenance and mentorship, Jack built a home where both the love of flying and the bonds of friendship could meet.

 Jack’s contributions to aviation extended far beyond operations. As a certified flight instructor and instrument instructor, he played a vital role in shaping the next generation of aviators. Among those he mentored were cadets from the United States Air Force Academy, whom he helped guide toward earning their Private Pilot’s Licenses. Jack’s instruction offered more than technical skill—it instilled a love of flight. Many of his former students now serve our nation with distinction, carrying forward the lessons Jack shared with them.

 But for Jack, aviation was never just about planes. It was about people. His office, with a view of the runway, became an unofficial gathering place—a place where pilots swapped stories, critiqued landings, and shared laughter over a free cup of coffee. In that space, Jack built more than a business. He built a circle of friends.

 Jack’s passion for gun collecting and for all things related to flying left an indelible impact on countless lives. Whether preserving history through carefully curated firearms or inspiring confidence in the cockpit, he approached everything with integrity, curiosity, and generosity. He believed knowledge was meant to be shared, skills were meant to be passed on, and communities were meant to be nurtured.

 Above all, Jack will be remembered as a man who gave freely of his time, his wisdom, and his friendship. His legacy lives on in the collections he preserved, the pilots he trained, the organizations he strengthened, and the many people who were fortunate enough to learn from him. Though he is gone, the stories he cherished—and the ones he helped others create—will continue to be told for generations to come.