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Charles Dee Collins
July 14, 1917-March 27, 2011
Charles Dee Collins went home to be with his Lord on March 27, 2011. He was born on July 14, 1917 to Andrew Boyd and Gertrude Eugenia (Saunders) Collins at the Collins Ranch on Hastings Mesa, San Miguel County, now known as the Last Dollar Ranch. He was born in the house that his father and grandfather finished building three months prior to his birth. He had one brother, Everett, and two sisters, Fern and Grace.
His days on the ranch with the family were spent milking 40 head of cattle by hand twice a day, irrigating, fixing fences, haying and cutting timber for winter heat. Dee met his future wife, Janie Ione Carnal at a dance at Sawpit and the two were married on the bank of the Colorado River near Moab, Utah on his birthday in 1940. They were blessed with four children, LaVelle, Howard, Lloyd and Karen. Their 22 years of marriage ended in divorce, and Dee later married Lorna Mays and helped raise her three children, Dean, Mona and Theron. That marriage also ended in divorce.
Dee was a hard worker and did whatever he needed to do to support his family. He found it necessary to work off the ranch too, so he built fences for area ranchers and the Forest Service on the Uncompahgre Plateau, Horsefly Mesa, Hanks Valley and Specie Mesa. He planted trees near Transfer Road for the Forest Service and retired from there after 25 years of service. When living in Sawpit, so his children could go to school, he worked as a miner and also at the ball mill in Telluride. He was the mayor of Sawpit. At one point later on he drove a bus and worked as a carpenter on condominiums in Vail.
Dee loved music and, like his father, taught himself how to play the fiddle by ear. When asked how he did it, he said, “I just kept sawing on it until I learned. If I hit a note that didn’t sound right, I’d keep fiddling around until I found the right one.” He loved dancing, playing cards, snowmobiling and teasing everyone. One grandson asked him, “Gee, granddad! Aren’t you ever going to grow up?” And another grandson told his son, “You just as well get used to it son, we had to!”
He is survived by his faithful dog, Patches; his daughter, LaVelle (Bob) Corey; his son, Lloyd (Judy) Collins and eight grandchildren: Dwain and Rick Cribari and Steven Collins (Montrose), Chester Collins (Columbus, Neb.), Mike Bell (Hollis, Okla.), Deanna Olsen (Mt. Pleasant, Utah), Charles Stonehocker (Durango) and Gerald Stonehocker (Delta). He’s also survived by 16 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother and two sisters, his baby son Howard and daughter Karen, a grandson, great-grandson and nephew. Dee was a charter member of Christ’s Church of the Valley. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him!
A visitation for family and friends was held Thursday, Mar. 31 at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel. A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, Apr. 1 at 11 a.m. at Christ’s Church of the Valley, 10 Hillcrest Plaza, off East Main Street, Montrose. Burial will take place at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Ouray at 2:30 p.m. on Friday.
KENT BRIDGES
July 16, 1957 - January 6, 2011
Kent Bridges was born on July 16, 1957, to Lloyd and Mary Bridges in Shattuck, Okla. He was raised a "western man" and was proud of having spent his life in Oregon, Utah, Texas and Colorado. Kent also briefly lived in Scotland where he worked on an oil rig in the North Sea. He attended Colorado Mountain College, majoring in Ski Area Operations. He was a master snowcat operator and took great pride in producing high-quality grooming. He worked for many ski resorts throughout the west, most recently Telski and the nordic trails of Mountain Village. He was also a skilled horseman, as well as an excellent dog trainer. He wrangled for Roudy for many years and they were very close friends. Kent loved to ski and spent some time as a downhill racer with the U.S. Ski Team. He will be remembered as a rugged and hard-working family man with a beautiful singing voice.
Kent enjoyed a variety of activities and hobbies: hiking, camping, Southwestern art, fine dining, an eclectic assortment of musical genres, driving, game shows, Tomato Wars, anything with Mickey Mouse on it, Disney movies, powder days, collecting useless stuff, traveling throughout the West, M & M's, ice cream, hiking for turns in the backcountry, drumming, singing, rocks and minerals, new shoes, catalogue shopping and spending time with his dogs.
Kent was married twice, first to Nancy Cavendar for seven years. In 2002 he married Suzann Geisler and adopted her daughter Lily Rae as his own. Another daughter, Kalli Cheyenne Bridges, was born in 2003 and was the light of his life. Although Suzann and Kent were divorced, they remained good friends and were committed to raising their daughter co-operatively. Kent grew into his role as "Daddy" and often said that being a father was the best thing he had ever done. Period.
All who knew Kent would agree that he had a heart of gold and was generous to a fault. He would go out of his way to help a friend in need. When you were his friend, you knew it and he would do anything for you. Kent loved life, his friends, family and dogs deeply.
Kent suffered a heart attack while driving and died on Jan. 6, 2011. He was 53 years old. Preceding him in death were his parents Lloyd and Mary. He is survived by his daughter Kalli of Ridgway, brothers Kevin (Cathy) Bridges of Hollywood, Fla., and Phil (Toni) Hughes of Austin, Tex., a sister Lynann (Ed) Derrick of Annapolis, Md., and his mother Donna Jo Bridges who lives near Austin, Tex. Nieces and nephews include Samantha and Ben Hughes, and Annabelle and Philip Derrick. His ex-wives Suzann and Nancy both loved him dearly and miss him greatly.
A memorial service is planned for his birthday, July 16, 2011, and will be held in Ouray County. Donations can be made to an education fund for his daughter - details pending.
"I've been rode hard and put away wet."
BRIANNA WHITE GOMEZ
March 21, 1980 - December 27, 2010
Brianna White Gomez, 30, of Amarillo died Monday, Dec. 27, 2010.
Brie was born March 21, 1980, in Amarillo to Thomas White and Cynthia Lahr.
Brie graduated from Dalhart High School in Texas in 1998, but grew up in Ouray from the time she was seven and attended school here until her senior year. She received a Bachelor's Degree in Family Studies in 2001 followed by a Master's Degree in Counseling from Texas Tech University in 2003.
Brie was a Licensed Professional Therapist for Buckner Children's Home from 2003-2004. She currently worked as a therapist for New Hope Counseling Services and was a freelance writer for Lifeway magazines.
Brie married Eric Gomez on May 19, 2001. Their first daughter, Mali Elise, was born in November 2004. Eleri Kate was born in January 2009. Curran Blaec Gomez was delivered on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010.
Brie loved Jesus and her family and was a devoted friend. Brie was passionate about raising her children to love Jesus. She enjoyed playing with her girls and watching her husband coach. She loved being in the mountains, taking vacations and playing volleyball. Brie was active in her church.
Brie is survived by her husband, Eric, two daughters, Mali, 6, and Eleri, 23 months, and one son, Curran. Parents: Tom and Terry White and Cynthia Lahr; two sisters, Zina Lahr and Megan Howard Anderson and husband Chris; two brothers, Brandon White and wife Liza, and Jordan Howard and wife Chrissy and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Hideaway Foundation, 1880 S. Washington St., Suite 215, Amarillo, TX 79102. A trust fund has also been set up for her newborn baby at Happy State Bank for the Curran Blaec Gomez fund.
Celebration services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29 at Hillside Christian Church in Amarillo.
Dorothy Mae Kohl Lankenau
May 23, 1932 - June 18, 2011
Dorothy Mae Kohl Lankenau, 79, of Allen, TX, and Ouray, CO, passed away on Saturday, June 18, 2011.
A Memorial service was held in Dallas. A second memorial service will be held at the United Church of the San Juans, Ridgway on Saturday, July 2, 2011 at 11 am.
Dorothy was born May 23, 1932, in Mokena, IL to Lawrence and Lydia (Geuther) Kohl. She graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1950 and later received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education. She married Vernon Lankenau on August 7, 1954, in Peotone, IL. She was a loving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. Her first teaching job was at a one room schoolhouse with student from 1st – 8th grade. Later, she taught elementary music and second grade in the Orland Park School District. In addition to 31 years of teaching, Dorothy was an accomplished pianist and organist; she began playing weddings at the age of sixteen. She shared her music at Ouray Presbyterian Church, Hillcrest Congregational United Church of Christ, Montrose and Church of the San Juans, Ridgway. She was a proud charter member of the American Guild of Organists, Joliet Chapter and Choristers Guild. Despite many health problems, Dorothy’s grace and beauty continues to shine through in all the lives she touched.
Those left to cherish her memory are: her husband of 56 years, Vernon, daughter, Laura LaFrano (Buz) of Dallas, TX; son, Steven Lankenau, of Henderson, NV; daughter, Amy Donoho (Jay) of Northlake, TX; brother, Roy Kohl, of Mokena, IL; six grandsons: Chase and Trent LaFrano and Caleb, Cooper, Carter and Corbin Donoho; nephews, loved ones, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Marvin Kohl.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western CO/Montrose, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402 www.hospicewco.com or United Church of the San Juans, 295 N. Lena St., Ridgway, CO www.ucsjridgway.org.
Daniel Louis McNeil
September 14, 1955 ~ June 17, 2011
Lt. Col. (retired) Daniel Louis McNeil died on June 17, 2011; he was 55 years old, born on Sept. 14, 1955, in Turlock, Calif. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday June 22, 2011 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Delta. Dan is survived by his wife of 34 years, Donna Case McNeil, and his daughters Molly McNeil of the home (18) and Erin McNeil-Coberly (22), and his son-in-law, William James Coberly, Savannah, Ga. He is also survived by his nephews and sister-in-law, Michael McLively, Berkeley, Calif., Andrew McNeil, Los Angeles, Calif. and Nancy McNeil, Danville, Calif. Other survivors include: Don Case, Delta, Colo.; Dennis and Lee Ann (Case) Fadler, Smithville, Mo.; Martin and Sally Case, Bloomington, Ill.; Justin L. Case, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; John Case, Delta, Colo. Memorial contributions can be made to Colorado Mesa State Scholarship Fund in c/o Donna McNeil, P.O. Box 692, Delta, CO 81416. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Dennis Dane Schlarbaum
April 8, 1961- May 16, 2011
SIERRA VISTA, AZ-Dennis Dane Schlarbaum, 50, died May 16, 2011, concluding his hard-fought battle with colorectal and liver cancer. Dennis spent his early years in Estes Park, Colo., and was a 1979 graduate of Estes Park High School. He graduated from the University of Colorado-Boulder in 1988. Dennis resided in Loveland Colo., until 2009, when he was diagnosed with cancer at Tucson, VA Medical Facility.
Schlarbaum served with the U.S. navy in the Persian Gulf during the Iranian Hostage Crisis and aboard the USS New Jersey (BB-62) off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon in 1983-84. He later earned his spurs as a U.S. Army officer with Second Armored Cavalry Regiment along the East-West German border. He separated from military service shortly after the collapse of the Iron Curtain in 1989.
A Distinguished Military Graduate, Dennis also attended U.S. Army Parachute Infantry Training course at Ft. Benning, Ga., Armor Officer Basic Course at Ft. Knox, Ky., and the Scout Platoon Leaders Course. During his service, he was awarded two Navy/Marine Corps Good Conduct Medals, two Navy/Marine Corps Expeditionary Force Medals, a navy Unit Citation, three Sea Service Ribbons, and an Amery Service Ribbon.
Over the course of his life, he won awards as an athlete, poet, journalist, and photojournalist. He was recognized by both the Colorado and Louisiana Press Associations during a brief career as a print journalist. In his later years, he worked as an automatic fire sprinkler fitter in Arizona, Colorado and Massachusetts. He changed careers again after 2000 and began work as a low-voltage technician. He installed satellite TV distribution in hospitals and nursing homes, nurse-call systems, voice/data and other low-voltage systems throughout Colorado, South Dakota, New Mexico, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Although he took up many careers and took pride in his work, Dennis would rather be remembered for the love of his family, the service to his country, and his unceasing faith in God. Dennis lived as a simple man in what he considered to be a troubled and complex world. Where he could, he tried to understand and make a difference in the lives of others.
He is survived by his mother, Ann Wilson and step-father James of Sierra Vista, AZ; his father Ron Schlarbaum and step-mother LeaAnn of Burns Flat, Okla.; three brothers, Douglas Schlarbaum and wife Sybille, nieces Chelsea and Courtney Schlarbaum; Dale E. Chase of Ada, Okla., and Curtis Chase of Burns Flat, Okla.; two sisters Fayrene Brigance of Michigan City, Ind., and Belinda Reneger of Richland, Wash.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Scott A. Chase of Burns Flat, Okla.; and two sisters Betty Jo Chrastil of Estes Park, Colo., and Anna Hean Serquinia of Buckley, Wash.
There will be a Memorial service on Friday, June 10, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Allnutt Funeral Service in Loveland, Colorado. Following the service his cremains will be interred at Loveland Burial Park, Loveland, Colorado. Call Doug Schlarbaum at (970) 232-4144 for more details. Memorial contributions may be made to a hospice of your choice in care of Allnut Funeral Service.
Jerry A. Ford
June 17, 1937-May 27, 2011
Jerry A. Ford passed away recently at his residence in Ouray. He was 73 years of age.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1 at St. Daniel’s Catholic Church in Ouray with Father Nathanael Foshage officiating.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.
Memorial contributions may be made in Jerry’s memory to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, CO 81402.
Kathy Campbell
d. April 28, 2011
Kathy Campbell age 63, resident of Ridgway for the last 20 years died April 28, 2011 at her daughter Stacey Munoz’s home in Colorado Springs. She had been fighting cancer for the last year and a half. She was in Colorado Springs to be with her Daughter’s family which included 5 of her 9 grandchildren.
Kathy taught piano for many years in Ridgway, enjoyed gardening, and loved traveling with her husband Al. Kathy was born in San Diego California and moved to Ridgway with Al in 1991. She is survived by her husband Al Campbell, daughters Stacey Munoz of Colorado Springs, Maggie Crispin of Los Angeles, California, son Greg Campbell of Ridgway, brother Mike Gordon of Montrose, sister Bonnie Gordon of Ridgway, sister Jennifer Gird of San Bernardino, CA, mother Adeline Gordon of Escondido, California.
Kathy is loved by many, and has a sweet spirit that will be missed.
There will be a memorial service at the Ridgway Community Church at 11:00am Saturday the 21st of May.
Warren Edwin Comerer
March 30, 1920–April 19, 2011
Warren Edwin Comerer, age 90, passed away recently. He was residing in Grand Junction when he passed, but lived most of his life in Colona. Warren was an excellent provider and loving son, who took over running the family farm at an early age because of the death of his father.
Warren married Alice LaBarr on Dec. 24 and she was his beloved companion for 62 years. He loved the uniqueness of a Christmas Eve wedding, and was thrilled that so many friends not only attended their wedding but continued to celebrate with them for so many years.
Warren spent the majority of his life as a rancher and a farmer, and enjoyed being active in the community. He was a member of many organizations, including Colona Grange, Montrose Elks, Ouray County Commissioners, Ouray Sheriff Posse, Colorado Water Board and Sugar Beet Growers.
Once he retired, Warren spent his days tending to his backyard garden, teaching grandchildren how to fish, and playing as many card games that the day would allow. He had a deep love of education, with a sharp memory and a love of books.
Warren is survived by his wife Alice, three children, Alan (Kathy) Comerer, Cherie (Ted) Jones, and Beverly (Randy Hampton) Craddock, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
A memorial service to remember and share will be held on Saturday, May 14, at the Colona Grange at 10 a.m. Valley Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of the care and arrangements for Warren and his family, 505 S. 2nd St., Montrose, CO, 81401, (970)249-4400.
Lester Clark
May 3, 1923 - August 10, 2011
Services were held for Lester Clark on August 16 2011 in Grand Junction Colorado.
He passed away with his family at his side on August 10, 2011.
He was born May 3, 1923 in Ouray, Colorado to Lyster and Mary Clark. He spent his childhood in Ouray. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1941 and was honorably discharged in 1947.
He married Doris Wood on September 5, 1948 in Aztec, New Mexico. They celebrated 62 years of marriage and raised five children.
Through the years, he worked in the mining industry and industrial construction specializing in geothermal power plants which he constructed with great pride.
Lester was a member of the Ouray Lodge #37 AF & A.M., Ouray Elks BPOE #492, and El Jebel Shrine of Western Colorado.
He is survived by his wife Doris, sons Robert (Nola) Clark, Butch (Kim) Clark, daughters Marcella (Jim) Pond, Michele (Glenn) Lewis, Marilouise (Wes) Dilley, ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and brother Jack (Jackie) Clark.
There will be a celebration of his life on Saturday, September 3, 2011 at their residence 2181 Meadows Ct., Grand Junction, Colorado.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution can be made in Lester Clark’s name to the organization of donor’s choice.
Mary L. Wood
April 4, 1931-August 6, 2011
Mary L. Wood of Ouray, Colo. died suddenly Aug. 6, 2011. She passed away at St. Mary’s hospital in Grand Junction, Colo., shortly after taking a fall at home and then experiencing a massive stroke. She passed gently and peacefully with her family around her. She was 80 years old.
Mary was a long-time resident of Ouray, moving there in 1965. She was involved in many cultural and historic organizations and gave many years of dedicated service to the community. She was recently honored by The Ouray County Arts Association for many years of work serving twice as the Director of the Artists’ Alpine Holiday. She volunteered at the Ouray County Historical Museum, supported the Crow Canyon Archeological Society and many, many historical and genealogical societies throughout the United States. Family history and genealogical research and preservation was her passion. Her research was published in a number of genealogical publications. She was a diligent and thorough researcher and a proud Daughter of the American Revolution and The National Society of Colonial Dames; her family roots run deep into America’s early history.
Mary was born at Cobb Place near Bedford, Taylor County, Iowa on Apr. 4, 1931. She was raised on the farm by her parents, Ralph W. Smalley and Leona Furl Weir Smalley, the 7th of 8 children. She was predeceased by her brothers, Nelson, Laurel (L.G.) and Ralph (Sim) and sisters, Ruth Smalley Whitney and Bethel (Beckie) Smalley Jackson. She is survived by one brother, Jean Smalley (Arlene) and one sister, Patricia Smalley Jackson, both of Medford, Oregon.
Mary’s early education was in rural southeastern Iowa. She attended country school, walking two miles each way until the 4th grade when she attended school in Conway, Iowa to the 8th grade. She graduated from Gravity High School in Gravity, Iowa and continued her education at the University of Iowa at Iowa City from which she graduated in 1953 with a B.S. degree in Registered Nursing. She married John M. Tjossem in 1954 and moved to Flagstaff, Ariz., where she continued her nursing education. She was employed by Montrose Memorial Hospital in Montrose, Colo. She also worked for a time as Philip Icke’s legal secretary and then became Director of Social Services for Ouray County.
Mary and David G. Wood were married Nov. 27, 1976 and enjoyed 34 years together living in Ouray. They enjoyed traveling all over the world and entertaining their friends and family in their beautiful home. They enjoyed the arts and music making annual trips to experience and enjoy the Sante Fe Opera and the Central City Opera among other cultural events. In recent years they spent winters in Palm Desert, California.
Mary was predeceased by two sons: David Ray and Matthew Ralph. She is survived by one son, John Tjossem (Margaret) of Ridgway, Colo., and two daughters: Sarah Farrar of Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Martha Sweeney Tjossem of Grand Junction, Colo., and five grandchildren; Andrew Farrar, Brian and Mary Sweeney and Hannah and Jeremiah Tjossem. Her family misses her greatly.
Services to be held at the First Presbyterian Church at Ouray, Aug. 11, 2011 at 3:00 p.m with visitation from 2:00 to 2:45. Graveside service at 4:00 pm at Cedar Hill Cemetery just north of Ouray. A reception will follow at the family home, 431 4th Street in Ouray at 5:00pm. Charitable donations to either The Friends of the Wright Opera House, P.O. Box 17, Ouray, Co. 81427 or Ouray Public Library, P.O. Box 625, Ouray, Co. 81427. Condolences may also be sent to the family at www.crippinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose.
