“Come one, come all” was the request Archibald “John” Chisholm III made when asked how he wanted his terrestrial journey to come to an end. And so it was. Family, friends, acquaintances, and care providers gathered into the tiny home he built and occupied on the Millsap Family Farm to hold hands, comfort, sing songs, provide care, and walk with John in the week it would take for his body to ultimately succumb to the kidney failure he struggled with for the last 10 years of his physical journey.
John was no stranger to struggle in life. The firstborn of 6 siblings (in January, 1946) to Archibald II and Betty Chisholm, John quickly learned to critically observe the world he was born into in an effort to support his family, assuming the role of “Big Brother” as he and his siblings navigated the challenges his large Catholic family faced in the rural San Luis Valley of Colorado. Through this experience, John developed an ability to question tradition, envision, and pursue a healthier, more holistic, and peaceful way of being in this world.
That vision would eventually lead John to formally begin the rigorous process of conscientious objection while on Active Duty status with the United States Army, ultimately earning him an honorable discharge as a conscientious objector. John would go on to seek peace and support mental, physical, social, and spiritual well-being in his own life and in the lives of countless youth and adults as a mental health clinician, member of Veterans for Peace, and Peace Tax activist.
John believed strongly in living in the Truth and would be the first to acknowledge that in his efforts to seek the “Greatest Good for all” and promote peace and well-being for himself and others, some of the choices he made had quite the opposite effect for himself, those he loved, and those who loved him. John married Mimzy, welcomed his children, Jeff and Sarah, into the world in Colorado, divorced, and moved to the Pacific Northwest, where he lived and worked in and around the Seattle area for many years, much of the time with his long-term partner Julie.
When John’s daughter and son-in-law (Sarah and Curtis Millsap) shared their vision for a multigenerational community centered on a farm outside Springfield, John moved to Missouri to support making this vision a reality. John had always dreamed of designing and building a tiny house before tiny houses were popular, and looked forward to being part of a multi-generational intentional community where he and others could support one another while also being supported. With that support, the community and the tiny house John sought became a reality, and when asked how he was feeling, John, regardless of the challenges he may be facing, always answered first by saying he was “Greatful…, very grateful!”
Thanks to a generous donor, John received a kidney that tremendously improved his quality of life and lightened the load for those caring for him during the latter part of his kidney journey. As the fortunate recipient of this gift, John’s ever-positive outlook on life was bolstered, and when asked how he was doing, he would joyfully answer, “Good…, and getting better.” For this gift of life, John, his family, and his support community are eternally “Grateful.”
On December 11, 2025, in the humble, tiny house John and the farm community built on the Millsap Family Farm, amongst the community and family John supported and was supported by, John’s earthly journey peacefully came to an end.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Archibald II and Betty Chisholm, and his brother Jim Chisholm, all of Monte Vista, Colorado.
He is survived by his sisters Margaret, JoAnn, and Beth, his brother George, son Jeff, and daughter Sarah, as well as 12 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren, and the entire Millsap Farm Community.
A celebration of his life is planned for all who would like to join at Masonic Park (63 Solomans Cir South Fork, CO 81154) on June 13 of this year at 2 pm in the San Luis Valley of Colorado.
In lieu of flowers or offers of financial support, consider a donation to any program that supports organ donation or promotes wholeness, healing, community, and peace in our world. With gratitude.
