Western Slope Obituaries 1-21-13
Larry Forrest Rollins
Larry Forrest Rollins, 72, of Crawford, Colo., passed away January 13, 2013 at his home after a battle with cancer and other illnesses.
He was born to Forrest O. and Viola B. (Kleist) Rollins on August 15, 1940, in Gooding, Idaho.
He and his family later moved to Oshkosh, Neb., Hill City, Kan., Arvada, Colo., Ordway, Colo., and Salida, Colo., before settling on Redlands Mesa near Hotchkiss, Colo., in 1955. Larry started school in Hill City, Kan., and graduated from Hotchkiss High School with the class of 1960.
Larry married Sally Shoemaker on June 4, 1960. They had two children. They were later divorced.
Larry married Bonnie (Busey) Ferrier on September 15, 1984. She survives.
Larry was a member of the First Baptist Church in Salida, Colo. He lived in the Phoenix Valley for 20 years before moving back to Colorado.
Larry’s major occupation throughout the years, was a truck driver. He loved animals and the outdoors. He retired on disability in 1994 and tried his hand at raising sheep and goats. His latest hobby was miniature horses.
He was a member of the Grand Mesa Harness Club and really enjoyed the friends he met there. He liked to read. He enjoyed welding and making “Horse Shoe Art.” He loved John Deere tractors and was always proud to enter his 1948 A J.D. two cylinder tractor in parades. He liked watching the birds, photography and most of all spending time with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Bonnie of Crawford, Colo.; daughter, Donna (Keith) Ellsworth of Pima, Ariz.; son, Jeff of Mesa, Ariz.; three step-daughters, Pam (Cleve) Filener of Montrose, Colo., Deb (Lyle) Linman of Sedgwick, Colo., and Marcia (Dave) Wyatt of Wasilla, Ark.; one stepson, Andy (Katie) Ferrier of Crawford, Colo.; one sister, Gail Acedo of Hotchkiss, Colo.; and two brothers, Merlen (Linda) Rollins of Chandler, Ariz., and Lucky Jay (Gayle) Rollins of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; one brother-in-law, Bill (Sharilee) Busey of Saratoga, Wyo.; and one sister-in-law, Kathi (Tim) Cramer of Athol, Idaho; 14 grandchildren and 13 step-grandchildren, Cory frantz, Sherri Brandt, Page Johns, Matthew Linman, Clinton Linman, Reuben Wyatt, Naomi Wyatt, Caleb Wyatt, Lydia Wyatt, Kara Franco, Lance Raymond, Josh, Derek and Trevor Ellsworth; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held January 19, 2013, at the Mountain View Bible Church in Lazear, Colo.
Burial followed at Garden of Memories in Crawford, Colo.
Memorial contributions may be made to one of the following organizations: North Fork Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 127, Hotchkiss, Colo., 81419; or to the Friends of Crawford Town Hall.
View the internet obituary and sign the online guest registry at TaylorfFneralService.com. ❖
Captain Henry Richard Barker, Jr. US Army (Ret.)
Dick Barker, 88, passed away December 22, 2012 at his home from complications of lung disease and pneumonia.
He was born in Dallas, Texas, to Henry and Ellanora Barker. He graduated from Dallas Technical High School in 1942, where his favorite subject was ROTC, which he excelled.
After graduation, he worked at the American Bomber Plant until he enlisted in the Army in February, 1943. Expecting to be sent to Officers Candidate School, Dick was assigned to the Army Air Force and sent to St. Petersburg, Fla., where he and others who had any form of prior military training instructed those with no such experience. He was promoted to Corporal in March of 1943 and then to Sergeant in June of 1943. Dick then requested transfer to the infantry in April of 1944. Dick was sent to Camp Adair, Ore., to join the 70th Infantry Division and soon thereafter was promoted to Staff Sergeant. Dick was a member of the 274th Regiment “I” Company and was shipped to Europe in November 1944. Dick’s first day of combat was December 24, 1944. 27 days later, he received a battlefield commission to 2nd Lieutenant. He was then assigned to the 70th ID, 275 Regiment, where he was in command of an Anti Tank Gun Platoon. 90 days later he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant by General George S. Patton. In May of 1946, Dick was promoted to Captain and discharged from active duty the same month.
Dick was awarded the Combat Infantry badge, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, and Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle, Pistol, Carbine, and Submachine Gun.
After the war, Dick owned and operated many successful businesses in Texas, Colorado and California. This allowed him to purchase his ranch located east of Ridgway, Colo., and for him to pursue his interests of hunting and fishing. Dick always looked forward to the fall Elk hunt with family and friends.
Dick was a proud American, proud to serve his country in World War II and extremely proud of the fine young men and women serving in our military today. Rest in peace old soldier, you will be missed.
He is survived by his wife, Janey; daughter, Barbara Barker, and son, Jeff Collins (Angela); four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; good friends, Thelma and Cleo; and many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bill, and sister, Anne.
Services have taken place. ❖
Wanda Claire Bristol
Wanda Claire (Watt) Bristol, 85, passed away January 14, 2013 at home surrounded by her family.
She was born in Omaha, Neb., to Elmer and Elsie May Watt on August 16, 1927. She spent her early childhood on a sheep ranch near Meeker, Colo., later moving to the Grand Valley. Wanda attended Hunter School and graduated from Fruita Union High School.
She met and married the love of her life, James Lee, on November 9, 1947. They bought a farm in Fruita, Colo., and together they raised four children, David Lee, Donald Ray, Janice Claire and Lisa Marie.
Wanda, along with her husband attended the Fruita Brethren Church, later becoming a charter member of the Fruita Christian Church. She volunteered as a 4-H leader for the Enterprise Wranglers, and taught Sunday school for many years. Wanda believed in education, and conducted adult literacy classes, most from her kitchen table. She was a driving force behind Great Books, a classic literature program for children. Her life was centered around her family and grounded in her faith.
She is survived by her children, David (Janet) Bristol of Collbran, Colo., Donald (Jeanne) Bristol of Fruita, Colo., Janice (Roger) Crunk of Fruita, Colo., Lisa Bristol of Fruita, Colo., and Darlene Gardner of Clifton, Colo.; her grandchildren, Derek Bristol, Paige Marvin, Amanda Swanson, Brian Bristol, Melanie Hannafious, Andria Ketcham, Kaitlin Crunk, Matthew Bristol, Grant Bristol, Brittany Gardner, Corrine Gardner; and great-grandchildren, Kora Marvin, Kyrie Marvin, Ryah Bristol, Ronen Bristol, and Gabriella Gardner.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Lee Bristol; brother, Clayton Watt, and parents, Elmer and Elsie May.
Memorial services were held January 18, 2013, at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary in Grand Junction, Colo.
Memorial contributions may be made to Family Health West Hospital. ❖
