From Rio Blanco County, Colorado:
Richard Barnes
Death Notice
Richard Barnes, 73, of Meeker passed away Jan. 10, 2004, at the Walbridge Wing. Barnes worked as a laundry worker at the State Regional Center.
Barnes is survived by sons Mark Barnes of Grand Junction, Butch “Nelson” Stewart of Floriscent, Colo., Robert Rowe, John Rowe and Perry Rowe all of Norwood, Colo. He is also survived by daughters Loretta McCoy of Meeker, Donna Hopkins of Redvale, Colo., and Ruth Clark of Pahrump, Nev., and sisters Audra Smith of Fremont, Neb., and Edna May Kinsey of Texarkana, Texas, Barnes is also survived by 16 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Walbridge Wing, Pioneers Hospital, 335 Cleveland, Meeker, Colo., 81641. Services will be held Sat., Jan. 17, 2004 at 2 p.m. at the Martin Chapel, 734 South Seventh Street in Grand Junction. Arrangements have been entrusted to Martin Mortuary.
Thomas (Tommy) O. Stotts
August 11, 1909 ~ January 4, 2004
Thomas (Tommy) O. Stotts was born Aug. 11, 1909, in Beaver City, Okla. His childhood days were spent in Oklahoma and Texas. As a young man, due to the dustbowl, Tommy moved to California in search of work. Tommy worked on the aquaduct water project, building series of canals and siphons to bring water into the LA Basin. He then worked as a batch plant operator on the Keswick Dam and the Pit River Bridge outside of Redding, Calif. In the mid 1930s Tommy moved to Grand Junction, Colo., and worked miscellaneous jobs. He married Shirley Doolittle in 1934 and of this union, two daughters were born, Sherian and Relda. Tommy and Shirley moved back to California where Tommy started his career as a chef. He managed several restaurants in the 1940s before moving back to Colorado. Tommy and Shirley divorced and Tommy married Rowena Nelson, which added two stepsons, Terry and Tom to the family. Tommy and Rowena owned several restaurants in Colorado including the “Texan Café” and “Tommy’s Supper Club” in Rifle before heading back to California. They stayed in California this time for just a few years before coming to Meeker and opening up the “Stagecoach Inn.” He eventually sold the “Stagecoach” to his brother-in-law and opened the “White River Restaurant and Palomino Lounge,” which was located where The Bakery is now. His final endeavor and greatest love was “Tommy’s Supper Club and Cocktail Lounge” in Meeker. Tommy was known by all for coming out of the kitchen in full uniform and his chef’s hat and visiting with each and every customer. He was also known to join the weekend bands and play his harmonica. After retiring, he and Rowena moved to St. George, Utah. Tommy finally had time for fishing, gardening, and spending time with his pets. After Rowena’s death in 1988, he spent his summers in Meeker and his winters in St. George. In the fall of 1989, Tommy came back to Meeker and proudly donned his uniform one last time when he helped the Steiners open the “Stagecoach.” In 1990, he married Catherine Burdick in St. George. They relocated to Cyril, Okla., for a short while before moving back to Grand Junction to be close to his daughters. He lived to be 94 years young and his last few years were spent living life to the fullest. Tommy never met a stranger, and had a way of making people laugh. Everyone Tommy encountered he befriended. He was very generous and would do anything for anyone especially his daughters, and grandchildren. Tommy is survived by his wife, Catherine, his two daughters, Sherian (Bud) Linderman of Grand Junction, Relda (Gary) Coulter of Meeker, two stepsons, Terry (Artie) Nelson of Green Valley, Ariz., Tom (Beth) Nelson of Moreno, Calif., eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and numerous relatives and friends.
Memorial Services were Jan. 15 at 2 p.m. at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary in Grand Junction.
Memorial contributions can be made in the name of Tommy Stotts to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, 2754 Compass Drive, Suite 377, Grand Junction, Colo., 81506.
Eric L. Cross
May 11, 1927 ~ December 27, 2003
Grace M. Cross
March 1, 1929 ~ January 2, 2004
Eric Lloyd Cross, 76, died at his home in Palisade, Colo., on Dec. 27, 2003, after a long illness. Eric was born May 11, 1927, in Kepling, Saskatchewan Canada, to George and Ida Cross. He grew up on the family farm helping raise livestock and horses.
Grace Mary Cross, 74, died at her home in Palisade on Jan. 2, 2004, after a 4 1/2-year battle with cancer. Grace was born to Charles and Julia Daku on March 1, 1929, in Kipling, Saskatchewan Canada. She grew up on the family farm helping raise livestock and herd sheep.
When Eric was 18 and Grace was 16 they went to Briercrest Bible Institute in Caronport, Saskatchewan where Eric became a minister. On Aug. 5, 1949, after being childhood sweethearts, their lives were joined together in marriage. In 1951 they moved to Ecuador as missionaries with Gospel Missionary Union (now known as Avant). In 1955 they returned to the U.S. because of a serious illness Grace had. After her recovery they went to Del Rio, Texas, where they served as missionaries for six years. In 1962 they moved the family to Alamosa, Colo., where Eric attended Adams State College earning a bachelor’s degree in special education. They also ministered to the many migrants that worked the fields of the San Luis Valley. In 1966 they moved to Palisade. Eric began working as a teacher at the Regional Center and Grace worked as a technician there.
Eric eventually became the principal of the school and Grace became a dorm supervisor. While working they remodeled their home and Eric went to night school at Western State College in Gunnison, earning his master’s degree in special education.
Eric also served as an interim minister in many churches throughout western Colorado and eastern Utah. Among them were: the Molina Baptist Church, Palisade Baptist Church and Liberty Baptist Church. Grace always accompanied Eric and was his life, his support and his sermon critic.
They cherished the many friendships they formed during these ministries, some of their closest friends helped care for Eric during his extended illness. After Eric retired he served as the coordinator of the soup kitchen and help desk for the Palisade Migrant Center. Grace was by his side cooking and cleaning. While there they used their ability to speak Spanish to benefit the migrant workers During their years of retirement they loved spending time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were always available to baby-sit and offer words of encouragement and wisdom. They were a living example on Earth of God’s unconditional love.
Over the years they ran their own version of a “bed and breakfast” for friends and family who came their way and loved to show them the beautiful scenery of western Colorado and eastern Utah.
Eric was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Clayton. Grace was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Irene Berglund Dew and brothers, Stan, Gus and Stephen Daku, sister-in-laws Shirley and Vi Daku, and brother-in-laws Ed Browtzke and Sine Berglund all of Canada. They are survived by two daughters, Carolyn (Dewey) Atkinson of Grand Junction, Arla (Larry) Carver; one son, Dean (Laurale) Cross of Palisade. Six grandchildren, Lance (Heather) Hill of Grand Junction; Brock (Annie) Norris of Clifton; Chad Carver of Orlando, Fla.; Tara (Aaron) Brown of Loveland; Jason Cross of Palisade; Rachel Cross of Palisade and two great-grandchildren, Patricia and Eric Hill of Grand Junction. They are also survived by Eric’s sister, Gail (Ross) Jorgensen and his sister-in-law Irene Cross, as well as Grace’s brothers Charlie (Frieda) Daku, Alex (Joyce) Daku, and Emil Daku, sister Elsie Browatzke, sister-in-law Gladys (Jim) Burke, brother-in-law Ansley Dew and many nieces and nephews, all of Canada. The sounds of Eric’s hammer and the smell of Grace’s roses will live with us forever. We will miss you both.
Contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P.O. Box 60307, Grand Junction, Colo., 81506, or Avant Ministries (GMU) Babahoyo Church, 10000 North Oak Traffic Way, Kansas City, Mo., 64155. A memorial to celebrate their lives was held Jan. 7 at Clifton Bible Chapel in Clifton, Colo.
Marguarette Ann Shively
February 18, 1916 ~ December 31, 2003
Marguarette Shively, 87, was born Feb. 18, 1916, in Denver to Charles R. and Mary E. (Cameron) Jones. Their family moved to 12-Mile Mesa in 1919 and then lived in Anaconda, Mont., from 1925-1929. They returned to Craig and she was graduated from high school in 1934.
Shively married Charles A. Shively on April 19, 1936, in Craig. They lived in Bear River, Colo., Oakland, Calif., Rangely and Baggs, Wyo., however, they always considered Craig their home.
They moved to Meeker in 1996 to be near their daughter and son-in-law, Jo and Bob Tucker. Marguarette was very fond of her three granddaughters.
She enjoyed helping others, visiting with family and friends, knitting and crocheting. She was a member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Craig and attended Holy Family Catholic Church in Meeker while residing there. Marguarette was a lovely lady with an enormous capacity to give of her talents and share her love with other people.
Shively is survived by a daughter, Jo Tucker, married to Robert Tucker of Meeker, grandchildren Shelette Gustafson, married to Rick Gustafson, Bobbie Jo Tucker, and Erin Tucker, all of Denver and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Shively was preceded in death by husband, Chuck; parents; sisters, Marie Hanson and Agnes Miles and brothers, Charles Jr. and Jack Jones.
Kathryn L. Anderson
December 30, 2003
Funeral services will be held for Kathryn L. Anderson Saturday, Jan. 10 at 11 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church of Chico, Calif. She died Dec. 30, 2003 of cancer.
Anderson was born in Grand Junction, Colo. and was raised on a sheep and cattle ranch in Meeker. She was graduated from Meeker High in 1963 with honors and received a scholarship to the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley where she majored in elementary education and minored in music. She was graduated in 1967 and moved west to work with a Christian organization in California where she met her husband Paul. They were married in June of 1970 and settled in Chico.
Anderson began teaching at Chico Christian School at its inception and taught there for 17 years. She retired from full-time teaching to care for her elderly parents, Henry and Alice Jacobs. During this time, she tutored elementary and junior high students.
Anderson continued her music by playing her clarinet in both church and the university orchestras. She was an avid seamstress and spent many happy hours making beautiful quilts and apparel for relatives and friends.
Anderson is survived by her husband Paul of Chico; daughters Karen Berryhill of St. Joseph, Mich. and her husband Jason, Kristin Caywood of Rio Lindo, Calif. and her husband Fred; foster daughter Robyn Young of Chico; father Henry Jacobs of Chico; grandson Ethan Berryhill and granddaughter Harley.
Joseph Charles Orris, Jr.
February 5, 1929 ~ December 20, 2003
Joseph Charles Orris, Jr. passed away Dec. 20, 2003, at his home in Fruita, Colo. He was 74 years of age.
Visitation was from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2003, at Martin Mortuary Chapel. Funeral Services were on Dec. 24, 2003, at Martin Mortuary. Graveside committal services will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003, at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado.
Joseph was born Feb. 5, 1929, to Joseph C. and Anne Lilley Orris at East Millsboro, Penn., where he was graduated from Brownsville High School. He attended Pierce College at Woodland Hills, Calif., where he received his associates in agriculture. On Dec. 23, 1959, he married Mary (Lil) Orris at Tarzana, Calif.
Joseph served his country in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a master sergeant after 23 years of service. Joseph and Mary lived in Meeker for 25 years, where he was self employed, until moving to Fruita 6 1/2 years ago. Most importantly he was a Wal-mart greeter which he enjoyed immensely.
Joseph was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Junction, the Eagles and V.F.W. He enjoyed his grandchildren, greeting people at Wal-mart and was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. People is what he enjoyed the most.
Surviving Joseph are his wife, Mary (Lil) Orris of Fruita; son, Joseph C. Orris, III of Grand Junction; daughters, Judy Bingham (Billy) of Craig, Maxine Frick (Mike) of Loma; brothers, John “Jay” (Carmen) Orris of Meeker; sisters, Pauline (Jack) Izett of Brownsville, Penn., Ann Meikle of Monongahela, Penn.; five grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Palliative Care of Western Colorado, P. O. Box 60307, Grand Junction, Colo., 81506.
