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VEGA, Maria Iluminada
VEGA, Maria Iluminada, 82, of Longmont died July 25, 2007, at Life Care Center. Immediate survivors include her daughters, Exal (Ed) Stanton of Longmont, and Bedia (Carlos 'Charley') Morales of Puerto Rico. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, July 27, at Howe Mortuary. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 27, at St. John the Baptist Church, with the Rev. Hernan Florez as celebrant. Interment of cremated remains will follow at Longmont Mountain View Cemetery. Contributions may be made to HospiceCare of Boulder and Broomfield Counties, 2594 Trailridge Drive East, Suite A, Lafayette 80026.
Darryl 'Lee' BARKER Jr.
April 18, 1962 — July 24, 2007
Darryl 'Lee' BARKER Jr. passed away Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at his home. He was 45.
He was born April 18, 1962 in Riverton, WY to Darryl Lee, Sr. and Jeanette (Pardonnet) Barker.
He was educated in Sheridan. He then went on to serve in the U.S. Army from 1982-1994, and was a member of the Wyoming National Guard in the 461st Engineering Co.
He moved to Longmont in 1994 from Casper, Wyoming.
From 1979 to 2004 he was in the family trucking business as owner/operator of RTL trucking. He then went to the Union Pacific railroad training center in Salt Lake City, UT, and later became a locomotive engineer for the railroad from 2004 to the present.
He was a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and enjoyed NASCAR, football, music especially playing his guitar, Harley Davidson motorcycles, and fast cars. He will be remembered as one who was always there to lend a helping hand to those in need.
He is survived by his wife Debbie Peterson of Longmont, CO; one daughter Ashley Elizabeth Barker of Molino, FL; his mother Jeanette Kimsey of Rock Springs, WY; his father Darryl Barker, Sr. of Troy, MT; five brothers and their spouses Robert and Sheryl Barker of Gillette, WY, David and Cindy Barker of Worland, WY, Clint and Debbie Kimsey of Rock Springs, WY, Calvin and Tamie Kimsey of Fairbanks, AK, and Jim and Claudette Kimsey of Lander, WY; two nephews Zach and Ryan Barker; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at the Ahlberg Funeral Chapel on July 27, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Mike Gaines of Jubilee Fellowship Church will officiate. Graveside Services at Sheridan Municipal Cemetery
in Sheridan, WY on July 30, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Doug Goodwin of First Christian Church officiating. Memorial contributions may be sent to Debbie Peterson, 25 Marshall Place, Longmont, CO 80501.
Dr. Ted Albers
October 16, 1921 - July 8, 2002
Dr. Ted Albers, western Colorado native, longtime resident of Grand Junction, and president emeritus of Mesa State College, passed away at his home on July 8, 2002. He was 80.
Please join in a memorial service Saturday, Aug. 17, 10:30 a.m. at the Avalon Theater in downtown Grand Junction, 7th and Main.
Ted was born in Maybell, Colo., Oct. 16, 1921, to Amos W. and Clara Maloney Albers. He met his future wife, Maxine Whicker, in 1927, and their two families became lifelong friends. After attending a one-room school in Maybell, Ted finished Cole Jr. High in Denver, and graduated from Manual Arts High School there in 1939. He entered Colorado State University, and worked for Mountain Bell; then joined the US Army Air Corps in 1942, graduating from Officer Candidate School in 1943. Ted and Maxine married April 4, 1943, in Wilmington, N.C.
After World War II, Ted returned from Europe to Mountain Bell; then studied at the University of Denver, graduating in 1949. He taught social sciences at Meeker High School, 1949-52. He earned his master's degree from Denver University in 1952; then continued as principal at Meeker, 1952-55. Ted worked for the Colorado Education Association, the Colorado State Department of Education, and the University of Colorado extension division until 1965. He earned his doctorate at CU Boulder in 1964; then served as assistant superintendent of schools in Mesa County District 51, 1966-68. In 1968, he co-founded the Community College of Denver and in 1970 became the first director of the Red Rocks Campus.
Dr. Albers served as president of Mesa College from 1970 until the end of 1974. He provided the leadership responsible for converting Mesa from a two-year community college to a well respected, yet still community-oriented baccalaureate institution. Ted retired early from his professional life due to advanced coronary artery disease. Until he died, Dr. Albers remained very proactive in advocating an expanding role for Mesa State College, always focusing on the interests and needs of its students.
After retirement, Ted concentrated on devoting himself to his family and to improving his health. He adopted a strict dietary regimen and stayed physically active by raising fruit on his acreage and putting up hay on the family ranch in northwest Colorado. He also provided constant support to Maxine, who served for 15 years in Mesa County as one of Colorado's first female County Commissioners. He participated in a multitude of community organizations, such as Lions Club, Mesa County Historical Society, Mesa Developmental Services, Grand Junction Musical Arts Association, United Way, Western Colorado Center for the Arts, Club 20, Greenbelt, Salvation Army and many others.
Ted survived the death of his parents and two brothers, Lee and Vernon. He leaves his wife Maxine of Grand Junction, children Ted L. Albers and Rhonda Davidson of Colorado Springs, and grandchildren Shannon and Brian Davidson.
Although he received many honors and awards in his lifetime, Dr. Albers always considered it his privilege to ably serve others. He is cherished universally as not only capable and intelligent, but as kind, compassionate, and humble - a truly wonderful man.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ted and Maxine Albers Scholarship Fund, c/o Mesa State College Foundation, 1450 N 12th St, Grand Junction, Colo., 81501.
Jack W. Riggan 1932-2002
Jack Wayne Riggan, 69, died Aug. 8. Jack was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and came to Colorado in 1939, working and residing in Moffat and Eagle counties. In 1954 he married Loretta (Retsie) Gates, his beloved wife and helper. Jack who had the heart of a pioneer and preferred the ways of the homesteader, worked hard all of his life. After retiring from Vail Associates in 1979, he continued building cabins where there weren't any and writing songs about his life, his Savior and the Bible. Jack was quick-witted, quick to help others and always able to make us laugh. All who knew him will miss the man and his music. Jack is survived by his dear wife, Retsie, four sons; Jack L. Riggan of Grand Junction, Rod Riggan and his wife Barbara of Grand Junction, Marty Riggan and his wife Gail of Montrose and Rick Riggan and his wife Marcee of Eagle. Two sisters Rose married to Marlin Behrends of Waterloo, Iowa, and Pat married to Bob Adams of Grand Junction; two brothers Richard Riggan and his wife Nancy of Orange City, Iowa, and Robert Riggan of Des Moines, Iowa. Eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren also survive him. His father Vern Riggan, mother Jane Withem, brother Russell Riggan, sister Ramona McMillan and grandson Jonathan Riggan preceded him in death.
There will be an outdoor memorial service on Saturday Aug. 17 at 2 p.m. at K-Ranch three miles west of Dinosaur on Highway 40. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Jack W. Riggan, P.O. Box 126, Dinosaur, Colo., 81610.
Author Jack Olsen
June 7, 1925 - July 16, 2002
Author Jack Olsen, age 77, died at his home July 16.
He was born June 7, 1925, in Indianapolis, Ind., to Rudolph and Florence (Drecksage) Olsen.
Olsen wrote for Vanity Fair, People, Paris Match, Readers Digest, Playboy, Life, Sports Illustrated, Fortune, the New York Times Book Review and others publications.
He was the author of 31 books published in 15 countries and 11 languages. One book entitled "Slaughter the Animals, Poison the Earth" (1971) wrote about sheepherders in northwest Colorado using poisons to kill predators.
His magazine journalism appears in 13 anthologies.
Olsen was called "the dean of true crime authors" by the Washington Post and the New York Daily News, and "the master of true crime" by the Detroit Free Press and Newsday.
He is survived by his mother, Florence Mae Olsen; his wife, Su Olsen, Bainbridge Island; three sons, John R. (Diane) Olsen, Niwot, Colo., Evan Olsen, Little Rock, Ark., and Harper Olsen, Seattle; four daughters, Susan (Rich) Jetley, Boulder, Colo., Julia Olsen, Denver, Barrie (Frank) Olsen, New York City, N.Y., Emily Sara (Korum) Bischoff, Bainbridge Island; one sister, Carolyn Grentz, Havertown, Pa.; and seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by a son, Jonathon Rhodes Olsen.
Remembrances can be made to the Sierra Club or to Helpline House of Bainbridge Island.
Arrangements were under the direction of Kass Funeral Home.
Mary Ellen (Ridings) Baird
Oct. 7, 1920 - July 22, 2002
Mary Ellen (Ridings) Baird passed away on July 22 in Montrose. She was 81. Mary was born Oct. 7, 1920, to Addison Clifford and Martha (Phillips) Ridings in Holbrook, Ariz. She spent her childhood in Meeker and was graduated from high school there. She spent 43 years in Meeker and was employed as a rural mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 12 years. This was a job she enjoyed immensely. She also loved being in the mountains,
iking, rock collecting and picnicking. Mary enjoyed music and studied ornithology. She was a gifted, creative cook. As her physical strength decreased, Mary's spiritual strength increased. In her declining years, she believed she was left on earth to pray for others. Our comfort is that mom is at last pain-free and joyous in the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ. We will be reunited with her in Paradise.
Survivors include her four daughters, Lois Blackmom of Kernersville, N.C.; Carolyn Kendall-Wildrick of Evergreen; Deanna McKinney of Colleyville, Texas; Barbara Shults of Montrose; five grandsons, Greg Warren, Eddie Wildrick, Bret McKinney, Christopher McKinney and Clint Shults; two great-grandsons, Michael Warren and Charles Warren along with three great-granddaughters, Maclaine Shults, Aryn McKinney and Madison Shults.
Memorial contributions can be made to Camp Redcloud, PO Box 130, Lake City, Colo. 81235.
Arrangements were under the direction of Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.
Ruth C. Danielson
March 6, 1914 - July 15, 2002
Ruth C. Danielson, 88, died peacefully at the Pikes Peak Hospice Monday, July 15, 2002.
Ruth Collette Keefe was born March 6, 1914, to James Edward Keefe and Mabel Clara (Cassidy) Keefe in New Rockford, N.D. She was the fourth of five daughters: Esther Miller, Mildred Ecklund, Margaret Lucille (Jung) Friedl and Mary Katherine 'Pat' Hanson.
Ruth grew up in New Rockford and Carrington, N.D., graduating high school from New Rockford. She worked as a secretary in Bismarck, N.D.
Ruth married Roderick Warren Danielson on Nov. 1, 1937, in Cathy, N.D. They had three children, Lea Collette, Mark Giles and Judith Katherine.
Following Rod’s service as a counter-intelligence officer in WWII, they lived a year in Venezuela while he worked for Richmond Oil Co. Then they moved to Rangely — living there for 24 years while Rod worked for Chevron Oil Company. Both Rod and Ruth served the oil boom community in many ways as it grew, through helping start PTA, community concerts, scouting and their local church, St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Ruth knitted and sewed exquisitely. She and Rod also enjoyed playing bridge, hunting and fishing and prospecting for uranium. Rod served on the school board for many years. After the children were grown, Rod was transferred to Midland, Texas. They lived there about seven years. They traveled extensively. After his retirement they moved to Colorado Springs in 1978. Rod died on Aug. 3, 1988.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Lea Dickinson of Colorado Springs and Judy Danielson of Fort Collins. Her son, Air Force Capt. Mark Danielson, was shot down on June 18, 1972, in southeast Asia and remains missing. Ruth fought tenaciously for 30 years to get her son back. Ruth and Rod made many dear friends who shared their concern for the POW/MIA issue across the country. For example, in 1991 the Pikes Peak Chapter of the Harley Owners Group 'adopted' Ruth and Mark giving her an Honorary No. 1 Lifetime Membership card and a ride through the city on the back of a Harley. In her thank you speech, Ruth declared, 'In my youth I aspired to be the belle of the ball, but now I am thrilled to be the Hag of the HOGS.' Despite excavations in 1994 of Mark’s crash site, Ruth never believed there was enough evidence to prove the death of Mark and the other 11 missing crewmen. Her feisty, spunky attitude, witty humor, hard work and strong-will will be missed by all.
Ruth is also survived by nine grandchildren: Paul Dickinson (Lori), Lisa Corboy (Chip); Mark Danielson, Jr.; Jody Willey; Amber Willey; Matthew Dickinson (Dena); Jesse Dickinson; Jula Willey and Dane Willey and five great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her youngest sister 'Pat' Hanson and nieces: JoAnn Kline (Dick), Lynnette Jung-Springberg (Peter), Marianne Van Oort (Arnold) and nephew Jim Hanson (Linda).
Her parents, her husband Roderick, and her three older sisters preceded Ruth in death.
A memorial service was held Friday, July 19 at 7 p.m. at the Shrine of Remembrance in Colorado Springs. Private internment was at Fort Logan National Cemetery
in Denver where she was buried with her husband, Rod. Friends may wish to make Memorial contributions to Pikes Peak Hospice, the Mark Giles Danielson Scholarship Fund at Colorado State University Foundation or to a charity of their choice.
Randy Joe Smith
April 21, 1959 - July 3, 2002
Randy Joe Smith of Grand Junction passed away July 3, 2002, at St. Mary’s Hospital. Randy was born April 21, 1959, to Clifton O. and Jo Ann Shaw Smith. He was graduated from Rangely High School. He was a member of the rodeo club and was a bull rider. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and attended in Palisade. Randy worked as a ranch hand, heavy equipment operator and general laborer until he retired at a very early age due to a disability.
He was a devoted father and is survived by his daughter Patricia Ann Smith and his son Ethan Wayne Smith. He is survived by his mother Jo Ann, one sister Franki B. Smith and a niece Shonte Lynn Smith all of Grand Junction. Aunts, uncles and a host of friends also survive Randy. His father and grandparents preceded him in death.
A potluck service of remembrance will be held at 3064 Sandpiper Avenue, Grand Junction on Saturday, July 13 at 11 a.m. with Pastor Mark Johnson officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan Edfast Mortuary.
Steven Ralph Pearce
September 20, 1955 - October 1, 2002
Steven Ralph Pearce was born in Rangely, Colo., Sept. 20, 1955. He grew up in Ft. Collins, Meeker and Delta, Colo. He moved to Netarts, Ore. in 1982. He had a chimney sweeping business in Tillamook County for several years, until poor health forced him to quit.
Steven’ favorite pastime was para-sailing over the Pacific Ocean with his friends.
Survivors include his parents, Robert and Elaine Pearce of Meeker, his brother Pete and wife Layne, sons Derick and Dillan and daughter Reagan, of Meeker, his sister, Elizabeth and her two sons, Ben and Josh of Steamboat Springs, his brother James and wife, Jayne and their son Quintin, of Kinnear, Wyo.
At his request, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at Holy Family Church on Oct. 19, 2002 at 11 a.m. with Rosary the night before at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Meeker Mortuary for the Lincoln County Dialysis Center in Oregon.
Fonnie Raymond 'Ray' Keeble
January 11, 1922 - October 4, 2002
Ray Keeble died Oct. 4, 2002, in Carson City. He was born Jan. 11, 1922, in Denver, Colo., to Ray and Eunice Amick Keeble.
He attended high school in Colorado. He married Dorothy Marston.
Before moving to Carson City, he lived in Meeker, Colo., for many years
where he worked for several ranches.
Keeble was a former caretaker of Harrah’s Ranch in Reno and later retired from the Carson City Street Department in 1987. He was a member of the Methodist Church.
He served in the U.S. Marines during World War II.
Among his survivors are his wife of 53 years Dorothy; daughter Lois Keeble of Carson City; brothers Kenneth and Frances Keeble of Kingman, Ariz. and one cousin.
Walton’s Carson Gardens Cemetery
was responsible for the arrangements.
Dixie Magor Wittstruck Brandborg
Thursday, Nov. 28, 2002
Dixie Magor Wittstruck Brandborg, 87, passed away at the Mesa Manor in Grand Junction Thursday, Nov. 28. 2002. A funeral service was held Monday, Dec. 2, 2002, at the Callahan-Edfast Mortuary. The burial took place at Rosehill Cemetery
in Rifle. Brandborg was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Morley F. Brandborg of Grand Junction; a son, Richard Wittstruck of Tarpon Springs, Fla., and a daughter, Dixie 'DeDe' Coy of Okemos, Mich. Brandborg had four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made in Dixie’s name to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 60307, Grand Junction, Colo., 81506.
Funeral director was Gary Blackburn.
Flora Mae Johnson
September 15, 1928 - January 29, 2003
Flora Mae Johnson, 74, Crofton, Ky., died Jan. 29, 2003, at Pinecrest Manor of natural causes.
Services were held 2 p.m. Saturday at Hughart and Beard Funeral Home, Crofton, with the Rev. Earl Grace officiating. Burial was at Ridgetop Cemetery.
A native of Trigg County, she was born Sept. 15, 1928, the daughter of the late James and Ola Boren. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Charles E. Johnson; two sons, Sammy D. Johnson, Rangely and Chuck Johnson, Crofton, Ky.; two sisters, Mavis Brown, Dixon, Mo., Lois Jackson, Hopkinsville, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Conrad E. 'Gene' Treber
March 13, 1928 - March 18, 2003
Conrad E. 'Gene' Treber, 78, of Clifton, died March 18, 2003, at his residence.
Conrad was born March 13,1928, in Denver to Conrad and Helen Hessler Treber. He spent his childhood at Derby and Longmont, where he went to high school. He had also lived in Denver and Rangely, and Cottonwood, Ariz. Conrad moved to Clifton in 1996. He had owned White River Disposal and was retired.
Conrad enjoyed fishing, being a foster grandparent, doing word search puzzles and reading.
On June 20, 1948, Conrad married Lois F. Miller at Denver. She survives. Other survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Stanley Eugene and Paula Treber, and Stephen Edward Treber, all of Denver; and a daughter and son-in-law, Susan Elaine and Randy G. Johnson of Grand Junction; a brother, Myron Louis Treber; a sister, Shirley Mac Kembel; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Cremation has taken place. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 60307, Grand Junction, Colo., 81506.
Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.
Wanda Ann Rooks
Oct. 9, 1917 - March 22, 2003
Longtime Rangely resident Wanda Ann Rooks, 85, died March 22 in the Extended Living Center of the Rangely District Hospital.
Wanda was born Oct. 9, 1917, in Harland County, Ky., and the daughter of Emmett and Lois Miles.
For many years she worked in her family's restaurant and tavern in Rangely, "The Headquarters" and after it closed, worked in various Rangely restaurants.
Survivors include two children and her grandson, Lonnie Schonefeld and his wife Marian both of Rangely as well as their two children, Ryan and Mikayla.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday from the Rangely Cemetery. Friends may call after 9 a.m. at the Rangely Mortuary Chapel which has care of the arrangements.
Mary Lou Hutton
August 2, 1927 - June 2, 2003
Mary Lou Hutton passed away June 2 in Lodi, Calif. She is the sister of Phyllis Wigington and has visited Meeker many times
Mary Lou was born Aug. 2, 1927 in Elkhart, Kan., to John E. and Addie (Murphy) Fothergill. The family moved to Rifle in 1937. On June 3, 1945, Mary Lou married W.A. (Bill) Hutton.
Surviving children are William J (Skip) of Bozeman, Mont. And Renny Jo Hutton of Lodi, Calif., and three grandsons and two granddaughters. Husband Bill Hutton resides in Rifle.
Mary Lou and Bill lived in Rangely in the late 1940s before moving to California.
Richard Visich
May 23, 1953 - June 4, 2003
Richard Visich, 50, of Meeker died June 4, 2003, at the Colorado University Hospital in Denver after a prolonged battle with Leukemia.
Thomas Richard Visich was born May 23, 1953, in Rangely, the son of Thomas Paul Visich and Sally Cook. He was raised in the Western United States and served his country in the United States Marine Corps.
Following his discharge, Richard worked in the oil fields, as a truck driver and later at an auto auction. He loved spending time with his family and was an avid outdoorsman and particularly enjoyed fishing.
Richard loved to write poetry and was a deeply religious man, loving church work and Bible studies. He also enjoyed playing pool and was well known for his love of playing the lotto and buying his lottery tickets and playing bingo.
Survivors include his mother, Sally Ridings of Meeker, two sons, Kenny and Adam, three sisters, Kathy Drake and her husband Terry of Rangely, Tammy Ridings of Meeker, Martha Padilla and her husband Carl of Meeker; two brothers, Ronald Visich and his wife Linda of San Lorenzo, Calif.; Edward Ridings and his wife Tonya of Cortez, two step-brothers, Tim and Tom Ridings and his wife Johnnie as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
His father, Tom and his step-father, Joe Ridings have preceded Richard in death.
Memorial services were held Wednesday from the Meeker Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Troy Notz officiating. Military honors were provided by V.F.W. Post No. 5843 of Meeker.
Cochran Memorial Chapels has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Walter T. Stahlecker
December 13, 1919 - May 29, 2003
Walter Theodore Stahlecker was born Dec. 13, 1919, in rural Bethune, Colo., to John and Maria (Dobler) Stahlecker. He was born again in Christ through Holy Baptism in the name of the Triune God on Feb. 22, 1920, at Hope Evangelical Congregation of Bethune. He was raised both in the Bethune area and in the San Luis Valley. He was confirmed in his faith on June 16, 1935, at Hope Evangelical Congregation. His confirmation verse was 1 John 2:15 — 'Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.'
After completing in schooling, Walter began working as a cowboy, primarily on the Medano Ranch in the San Luis Valley. In 1942 he entered the army and served in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, being discharged in 1945.
On Sept. 18, 1946, he was united in marriage to Vera Kloeckner. This union was blessed with six children and more than 56 years of companionship.
Stahlecker attended Colorado A & M (now Colorado State University) graduating in 1950. After working for Farmers Home Administration for several years he returned to cowboying before beginning a lengthy career in education. He taught for several years in the classroom before entering school administration. He earned a master’s degree in chemistry and physics from the University of Wyoming, and a master’s in education administration at Adams State College. He served in the Sangre de Cristo, Rangely and Florence school districts before retiring in 1981.
Stahlecker’s retirement allowed him and Vera the opportunity to spend the next 11 years with the Laborers for Christ program. He as able to use his many talents while traveling the country and assisting Lutheran congregations with building and remodeling churches. Twenty-two communities were touched by their efforts of love.
Stahlecker departed for his heavenly home on May 29, 2003, at his home in Colorado Springs, Colo. He was preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings.
Stahlecker is survived by his wife, Vera, of the home; four sons — Paul (Jackie) of Durango, Dale (Beverly) of Santa Fe, N.M., Joel (Lisa) of Divide, and Alan (Sheri) of Lincolnville, Kan.; two daughters — Susan (Chuck) Pierce of Divide, and Jean (Ron) Bruns of Colorado Springs; two sisters — Lydia Adolf of Bethune and Dorothy Klein of Wray, 16 grandchildren; Matt, Marty, Brian, Corey, Rob, Mandi, Sara, Kelly, Joshua, Aaron, Rebecca, Andrea, Daniel, Jon, Todd and Briann; 10 great-grandchildren; Daryle, Mathew, Cheyanne, Kamisha, Jeffrey, Natasha, Noah, CJ, Cassie, Andrew and many cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.
Stahlecker lived a life full of love for family, friends and God. More important than the many accomplishments of his own life are the ways that he has touched the lives of other people. An optimist at heart, he has inspired many to live life fully and with joy and thankfulness by is example. He had found the strength in is faith to take the wisdom and experience of the past and use it to look to the future. Even until his last he had 'too much to do,' with chronicling the family history in words and with the woodcarvings he whittled. His book 'Memories and Musings of an Old Cowpoke' has brought joy to family, friends and the many people who have read it. As busy as he kept himself, he always took the time to support and be with the ones he loved. As a cousin said: 'when an older person dies, it is like a library burns down as so much knowledge and precious memories go with them. In Walt’s case, it is as though we have lost a whole wing of the Smithsonian.' Fortunately for us, he has touched so many lives that a part of him will live on in each of us. Husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and teacher, he will always be remembered as the true definition of a great man.
