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Louis Giaichel Jones
Jan. 8, 1908 - Feb. 1, 2003
Former Ouray resident Louis Giaichel Jones passed away at his home in Fruita, Colo., on Feb. 1, 2003.
An informal graveside service is scheduled to be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, at the Cedar Hills Cemetery in Ouray.
Louie was born
in Leon, France, on Jan. 8, 1908, and immigrated to the United States in 1912 with his Italian mother, Angelina, and his brother, Charlie. His father Angelo was already waiting for them in the U.S.
Angelo later left the family in Philadelphia and came to Colorado to work as a blacksmith for the mines. Angelina contracted tuberculosis and was one of many victims of the influenza epidemics of the early 20th century. Louie and Charlie were placed in an orphanage when she died. When news of his family reached Angelo, he returned to Philadelphia to bring his sons to Ouray.
Angelo again left his boys and moved to San Francisco, where he worked in shipyards. The two young boys were then cared for by Louise Morrell Jones, whose name they both adopted.
By the time he was 13, Louie had begun his numerous trips around the country. He traveled by rail, not always with a ticket, to California and back several times and finally embarked on a cross-country journey, riding the rails.
Louie met his first wife, Della Hawkins, in the early 1930s and they married in Aztec, N.M. They had three children: Barbara, Billie and Edward (Sonny). Louie left his family in Colorado while he chased work in Arizona and Utah. Several years later he returned to Colorado and found that Della had divorced him.
Louie met Iola Harris Riley at a dance in 1941. They married in Ouray on May 31, 1942. Iola brought three children to the family, Nancy, Fred and Ludene Riley. Their son Johnny was born
in Delta in October 1943.
Louie worked as a carpenter, both for the mines and around the Ouray area. He retired in the early 1970s and prepared to enjoy his grandchildren.
When Iola passed away in September 1977, Louie continued to live in Ouray and drive his 'silver Jeep' to all of his favorite fishing holes. He began to have health problems, suffering a heart attack in 1988. His health began to slowly decline until in 1994 he could no longer live alone.
Louie moved to Moab, Utah, to live with his son, Johnny, and family. In 1995, Louie announced he was leaving and moving back to Ouray. Three days later, he was found laying on the floor of his home, suffering with pneumonia and the aftereffects of a small stroke. The doctors refused to release him to live alone, so Louie chose to move into an assisted living home in Fruita.
Louie continued to live in Fruita until his death. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends whenever they came to see him. He spent most holidays with his son Johnny and family in Moab.
Louie was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Iola, their infant son, and his oldest son, Sonny (Edward). He is survived by his brother, Charlie of Montrose; his son John (Kimberly) Jones of Moab; daughters Barbara Velasquez of Denver and Billie (Rae) Creel of Montrose; step-son Fred (Jane) Riley of St. David, Ariz.; step-daughters Ludene (Dutch) Smith of Montrose and Nancy (Don) Mingus of Cedaredge. Other family survivors include 35 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and a couple of great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to the Ouray Ambulance in Louie's name. Martin Mortuary of Grand Junction is handling the arrangements.
Clifford Jay Ward
March 11, 1952 - April 1, 2003
A wake for longtime area resident, Clifford Jay Ward, 51, was scheduled to be held Saturday, April 5, at the Placerville Fire Department Hall.
Cliff was born
March 11, 1952, in Kalamazoo, Mich., to James and Hazel (Hoff) Ward Sr. Cliff passed away on Tuesday, April 1, in Dolores.
Cliff was considered a world traveler and spent 30 years of his life walking across at least 73 different countries.
On Oct. 15, 2002, Cliff and Rachel Vass, a resident of Dolores, were married in Telluride.
Cliff is survived by his wife Rachel Vass of Dolores; and his parents, James and Hazel Ward, brother Jim Ward and wife Nanette, and sister Kathleen Hernandez and husband Oscar, all of Michigan.
Arrangements were handled by Ertel Funeral Home of Cortez.
Bernice Lucretia Henn Swift
Sept. 10, 1912 - March 29, 2003
Bernice Lucretia Henn Swift, 90, died Saturday, March 29, 2003, at her Ouray residence.
A memorial service is scheduled at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at the First Presbyterian Church of Ouray. Pastor George Dakin will officiate.
Bernice was born
in Ouray on Sept. 10, 1912, the daughter of Frank Eugene and Stella Alice (LaRoche) Henn. Bernice's father, Frank, was recruited by the superintendent of Ouray High School to come and teach science classes. He sent for his fiancé, Stella, who joined him in Ouray.
Bernice received her early education in Ouray and was age 10 when her father died. The family continued to make their home in Ouray until 1924 when Bernice's mother received a job at the Colorado State Capitol in Denver.
Bernice completed her education at the East High School and enrolled at the University of Denver, where she received a bachelor's degree in education. She began her career as a teacher in Holly, Colo. She later moved to Denver, where she was a teacher in the Denver public schools.
She and George Newton Swift were married on June 21, 1937, the Warren Methodist Church in Denver. In 1940, they established their home in Lakewood, where they remained until Bernice retired and they moved to Ouray.
From 1937 until 1955, Bernice remained at home as a full-time mother, but decided that the early childhood education for her children was limited when she decided to open and operate a preschool. She later organized a cooperative preschool with the Lakewood Methodist Church in 1962 and served as its director until her retirement in 1972.
After Bernice and George moved to Ouray, she served on the Ouray Planning and Zoning Committee and for numerous activities. She also was a member of the American Association of University Women, where she served as president for a number of years, and the League of Women Voters in Lakewood.
Bernice and George shared their love for the area with friends and visitors. Many people who feel a kinship and warmth toward the Ouray area received this feeling because of the friendship and introduction to the community, of which the Swifts gave them.
Bernice enjoyed traveling. She and George purchased property in Apache Junction, Ariz., where they spent many winters together. Bernice also enjoyed writing poetry, painting and doing needlework. She was a wonderful homemaker, a good parent and loving wife.
Survivors include her husband, George of Ouray, sons Richard George Swift and wife Claudia of Meeker and William Roger Swift of Santa Fe, N.M.; daughters Frances Ann Swift Shaw and husband Rodney of Norwood and Carol Jean Swift Clark of Denver; brother Roger Henn and wife Angie of Ouray; and five grandchildren: Enid Shaw of Ouray, Edmund Shaw of Durham, N.C., Brian Clark of Denver, Michael Clark of Seattle, and Margo Chang and great-granddaughter Cassandra Chang of Fort Collins.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ouray County Historical Society.
Arrangements were handled by the Montrose Valley Funeral Home.
Lee Daniel Williams
July 31, 1923 - March 18, 2003
Wasilla resident Lee Daniel Williams, 79, died March 18, 2003, at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage of bone cancer.
A memorial service will be at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Wasilla Seventh-day Adventist Church, 2101 N. Lucille St. Pastors Wendall Downs and Neil Biloff will officiate. Mr. Williams' ashes will be scattered later over the Chugach Mountains.
Mr. Williams was born
July 31, 1923, in Nucla, Colo. He attended diesel mechanic school and served in the U.S. Army.
As a retired diesel truck driver, he came to Alaska in June 1989 and lived in Wasilla.
He was employed by Palmer Senior Center and Palmer Adult Day Care Center from March 1990 until January 2003. He received appreciation awards from Wasilla Area Seniors Inc. Senior Center and Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
Mr. Williams was a Seventh-day Adventist. His hobbies included gold panning, outdoor activities in his Jeep, flowers, gardening and feeding the birds.
His family said: "One of the many things his family and those close to Lee will remember was his kind and gentle way and his good humor.
He will be remembered for the beautiful flowers he planted and cared for around the Wasilla Senior Center and the many quilts he tied for the center. He will be missed by his wife, family and all who knew him."
Mr. Williams is survived by his wife, Ruby Williams; sons, Danny Lee Williams and Robert Williams, all of Alaska; daughter and son-in-law, Francis and Allen Hudson of Ouray, Colo.; 12 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson; nephew and niece, John Fister and Delia Nunez of Alaska; and many nieces and nephews in the Lower 48. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Anna Clark; and granddaughter, Frances Ann.
Memorial donations may be sent to Ruby Williams, 103 Frank Smith Way, No. 309, Wasilla 99654. Arrangements are with Valley Funeral Home in Wasilla.
Georgie M. Boots
Nov. 9, 1923 - Feb. 23, 2003
Georgie Myers Boots, a devoted and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Feb. 23, 2003, in Montrose following a lengthy illness.
Services are scheduled to be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 7, at the First Presbyterian Church of Ouray. A reception will follow at the Bon Ton Restaurant. A private inurnment service will be held at Cedar Hill Cemetery, where Georgie will be buried next to her husband of many happy years.
Georgie was born
on Nov. 9, 1923, to Lulu Wood and Raymond Merlin Meyers, an oil and gas attorney. She was the namesake of George Clint Wood, her adored grandfather.
From her early childhood days she was a member of the Highland Park Presbyterian Church, where she was active in the youth department and sang in the choir. She was a graduate of Hockaday School and had leading roles in the school operettas and musical programs. This was the beginning of her lifelong enthusiasm and love for music, choral, piano, symphony and opera.
Georgie attended Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University, and Southern Methodist University, where she was a music and voice major and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She also participated in several campus musical productions.
Georgie was a member of the Junior League of Dallas, the Mary K. Craig Class and the Calliope Dance Club. She was active in numerous charitable organizations and received special recognition for her many years of service at Baylor University Medical Center. She served as president of WAIF International, an adoption agency for overseas children.
Her beloved husband, James Earl Boots Jr., preceded Georgie in death. They lived for eight years in Manila, Philippines, where he served as president of General Electric International - Far East Division. She was active in numerous church and charitable organizations in the Philippines.
Georgie and James moved to Ouray in 1971 and kept a winter house in Clearwater, Fla., and they had numerous friends in both places. Together, they enjoyed many outdoor sports, including golf.
In Ouray, Georgie was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She was also a leader in many civic activities and generously supported the Culinary Arts Festival, Friends of Library, Ouray County Historical Society and Music in Ouray. She was a gracious hostess and her home was used for many charitable and civic events.
Georgie is survived by four sons: David Smith and wife Jan of Montrose; Pete Smith and wife Nancy of Montrose; Clint Boots and wife Jeanne of Ouray; and Jim Boots III and wife Cris of Denver. She is also survived by two sisters: Mary Lou Wiggins and husband William, and Merlyn Northrup and husband Leonard; and 10 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Georgie was an inspiration to her family and many friends. We are deeply grateful for her life and the joy she always gave us. Georgie will be forever remembered for the beautiful person she was and her innumerable expressions of love and kindness. She will be greatly missed.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be sent to Hospice of Uncompahgre Valley, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose CO 81402.
Arrangements were handled under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory of Montrose, 249-2121.
Ruth Hoag
Oct. 4, 1908 - June 5, 2003
Ruth Hoag, a well-known resident of Ouray for the past 33 years, passed away Thursday, June 5, 2003, at her residence in Ouray of congestive heart failure at the age of 94.
Ruth was born
on Oct. 4, 1908, in Mt. Carmel, Ill. She was one of two children of Cora and Charles Dyhouse. Ruth's brother, Glen, is deceased.
Ruth received her school in Evansville, Ind., where she met and married Marvin Chambliss in 1927. A son, Eugene, was born
to their union. Four years later, Marvin, was diagnosed with tuberculosis and passed away very quickly.
Ruth met and married evangelist Bill Hoag in 1938, who also had a son, Keith. Along with their two sons, they raised three daughters: Sharon, Faith and Evangeline.
They settled in El Cajon, Calif., in 1950 where they established Grace Concordant Church and operated a receiving home for children. During the next four years they would foster over 100 children. One, . Donna, still kept in contact with Ruth until her death.
The Hoags moved to Ouray in 1970, where they decided to retire. Ruth's love of children prompted her to open a daycare at the age of 70, and officially retire at the age of 83.
Ruth's husband, Bill, preceded her in death on Nov. 5, 1984. She continued to live in her home in Ouray until her passing.
Ruth is survived by her two sons, Eugene Hoag and wife Jo of San Diego, Calif., and Keith Hoag and wife Barbara of El cajon, Calif.; and three daughters, Sharon Baumgardner of Ouray, Faith and husband Bill Childress of Washington, and Evangeline Higgins of Auburn, Wash., and 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Also surviving is Tom Baumgardner, who was a special loved one and such a help to Ruth for many years.
A funeral service was scheduled to be held on Monday, June 9, at the Montrose Valley Funeral Home Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Uncompahgre Valley, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose CO 81401.
Franklin Delano Meatto
May 22, 1947 - May 1, 2003
Franklin Delano Meatto of Ridgway died May 1, 2003, in Montrose.
Frank was born
May 22, 1947, in Jersey City, N.J., to Louis and Christina Meatto. Frank grew up in Paramus, N.J., where he attended high school and later attended Stevens Technical Institute in Hoboken, N.J., where he graduated with a BSME degree.
After college, Frank was employed by Becton Dickinson, Union Camp, Olin Ski Company, and Gordon Composites. He had developed over 15 patents during his career, the most significant contribution being the shaped or parabolic ski (1984), which changed the sport of skiing forever.
Frank also patented a revolutionary automotive suspension spring, which he currently was developing. He was a long-time member of several engineering societies, including the Society of Automotive Engineers, Society of Advanced Materials and Process Engineering, and American Society of Materials.
Frank is survived by his mother Christina Meatto of Ridgway; his aunts and uncles Irene and Tom Marchiano of Long Island, N.Y., and Viola and Don Sanos of Teaneck, N.J.; and his cousins Leslie Sanos Messina of Teaneck and William Sanos, of Hawk Point, Mo.
He is also survived by close and long-time friends in Aspen and Telluride, and at Gordon Composites of Montrose, Colorado.
Mary Rose Clark
July 16, 1894 - May 6, 2003
Mary Rose Clark, 108, of Ouray died Tuesday, May 6, 2003, at the San Juan Living Center in Montrose.
A graveside service was scheduled to be held Saturday, May 10, at the Cedar Hill Cemetery at Ouray.
Mary was born
July 16, 1894, at Angels Camp, California, the daughter of Mary and Joseph Sonza. The family moved to Ouray when Mary was 40 days old.
Mary attended Ouray School through the eighth grade. She was considered a very good student, but had to quit school and go to work to help the family.
Mary went by train to Montrose to work on Ashenfellers Ranch in the kitchen. Later, Mary worked for Kittie Heit at the St. Elmo Hotel, doing dishes and cleaning rooms.
Mary was married to Lester Clark on April 12, 1917. The couple had four children. Two sons, Lester Clark and John Clark, and two daughters who died in infancy.
Mary lost her husband, Lester, in 1931, and went back to work to raise her boys. She worked at the Beaumont Hotel and later for her brother at the Sanitary Market, later the S&S Market on Main Street. Mary lived in Ouray all her life and the community held a special party in celebration of her 100th birthday. She moved to the San Juan Living Center about four years ago.
Mary had become known as the "french fry lady, " because for years son Jack brought her fries and a coke from McDonald's every day. Two years ago, Mary cut the ribbon at the new McDonald's in Montrose, which was reported in the national media.
Mary is survived by her two sons, Lester and wife Doris of Grand Junction; and Jack and wife Jackie of Ouray; nine grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and six great-great grandchildren.
Arrangements are being handled by the Crippin Funeral Home of Montrose.
