Obituary for Clifford D Reynolds
Clifford Delbert Reynolds was born August 31, 1933, on the plains NW of Springfield, Colorado, to Benjamin Franklin and Bertha Vista (Harris) Reynolds. He was later joined by Naomi, Earl and Merl.
When he was around 4 years old, the family moved (from Baca County) to the Western Slope, settling in Cedaredge, CO. During his young life, he herded cattle, and hunted for dried bones which were sold for bone meal. He would put the bones in gunny sacks which were tied on his saddle. He picked cherries, apples, peaches and apricots, and later pruned trees. Many of the peach trees were pruned while he was wearing stilts, which gave him an added height of up to 4'.
Clifford attended a one room school house on the home property for the duration of his education.
In service for our country, when he was around 19, he worked at Denver General Hospital for two years. After this, he worked for a moving company, where he had the privilege of delivering the first updated voting machine into Wyoming.
He met Marlene Shaw, and they married October 26, 1955, making their home in Englewood, CO. They were blessed with two children; Durenda and Delbert.
While working for another moving company, he delivered welding supplies to numerous missal launching sites around Denver.
In 1961, Cliff bought the sanitation business in Monte Vista, CO from his uncle, Earl Harris, expanding the business to bring the first portable toilets to the San Luis Valley and later started septic tank installation.
After selling the sanitation business, he started the first rental and sales of overseas shipping containers in the San Luis Valley; Gunbarrel Storage and Rental, which his son and daughter-in law now operate after purchasing the business in 2012. Cliff was actively driving the semi to Denver, CO to transport containers to the valley, through his 84th year. He loved his work.
For many years they had a fruit stand, bringing produce from the Western Slope, and had a Christmas tree lot supplying valley cut trees for many families, which later expanded to include plantation grown trees.
They owned and operated the Pleasant View Trailer Park.
Auctions were attended whenever the opportunity arose; he loved buying and selling farm machinery.
He raised cattle, and was an avid elk hunter.
His son-in-law and daughter in NE benefited from his help several years, as he drove the loaded grain trucks during wheat and milo harvest.
He was a 50 yr member of the Masonic Lodge, and was a 32° mason.
Cliff enjoyed his family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many friends.
The exceptional care he received at the Del Norte Hospital, and River Valley Inn Nursing Home will long be remembered by his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a nephew, Isaac Reynolds.
He is survived by his wife, Marlene Yvonne Reynolds of Monte Vista, CO, children; Durenda and husband, Lloyd Bley, of Wauneta, NE, Delbert and wife, Brenda Reynolds, of Monte Vista, CO; eight grandchildren, Christopher and wife Kendra Bley of Kearney, NE, Benjamin Reynolds of Peyton, CO, Reuben Reynolds of Colorado Springs, CO, Christina and husband Gary Hunter of Wauneta, NE, Joseph and wife Patrice Reynolds of Monte Vista, CO, Alissa and husband David Johnston of Seneca, MO, Dan Drew and wife Megan Reynolds of Alamosa, CO, and Joshua Reynolds of Monte Vista, CO, 17 great-grand children, sister, Naomi Reynolds of Delta, CO, brothers; Earl Reynolds of Paonia, CO, and Merl Reynolds and wife Amy of Cedaredge, CO; nieces; Rachel Reynolds of Salt Lake City, UT, and Sarah Reynolds of Paonia, CO; nephew, Samuel Reynolds of Cedaredge, CO, and four great-nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on January 3rd, 2020 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Monte Vista, CO at 11:30 am.
Rogers Family Mortuary of Monte Vista is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences or words of strength for the family, please visit www.rogersfunerals.com.
When he was around 4 years old, the family moved (from Baca County) to the Western Slope, settling in Cedaredge, CO. During his young life, he herded cattle, and hunted for dried bones which were sold for bone meal. He would put the bones in gunny sacks which were tied on his saddle. He picked cherries, apples, peaches and apricots, and later pruned trees. Many of the peach trees were pruned while he was wearing stilts, which gave him an added height of up to 4'.
Clifford attended a one room school house on the home property for the duration of his education.
In service for our country, when he was around 19, he worked at Denver General Hospital for two years. After this, he worked for a moving company, where he had the privilege of delivering the first updated voting machine into Wyoming.
He met Marlene Shaw, and they married October 26, 1955, making their home in Englewood, CO. They were blessed with two children; Durenda and Delbert.
While working for another moving company, he delivered welding supplies to numerous missal launching sites around Denver.
In 1961, Cliff bought the sanitation business in Monte Vista, CO from his uncle, Earl Harris, expanding the business to bring the first portable toilets to the San Luis Valley and later started septic tank installation.
After selling the sanitation business, he started the first rental and sales of overseas shipping containers in the San Luis Valley; Gunbarrel Storage and Rental, which his son and daughter-in law now operate after purchasing the business in 2012. Cliff was actively driving the semi to Denver, CO to transport containers to the valley, through his 84th year. He loved his work.
For many years they had a fruit stand, bringing produce from the Western Slope, and had a Christmas tree lot supplying valley cut trees for many families, which later expanded to include plantation grown trees.
They owned and operated the Pleasant View Trailer Park.
Auctions were attended whenever the opportunity arose; he loved buying and selling farm machinery.
He raised cattle, and was an avid elk hunter.
His son-in-law and daughter in NE benefited from his help several years, as he drove the loaded grain trucks during wheat and milo harvest.
He was a 50 yr member of the Masonic Lodge, and was a 32° mason.
Cliff enjoyed his family, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many friends.
The exceptional care he received at the Del Norte Hospital, and River Valley Inn Nursing Home will long be remembered by his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and a nephew, Isaac Reynolds.
He is survived by his wife, Marlene Yvonne Reynolds of Monte Vista, CO, children; Durenda and husband, Lloyd Bley, of Wauneta, NE, Delbert and wife, Brenda Reynolds, of Monte Vista, CO; eight grandchildren, Christopher and wife Kendra Bley of Kearney, NE, Benjamin Reynolds of Peyton, CO, Reuben Reynolds of Colorado Springs, CO, Christina and husband Gary Hunter of Wauneta, NE, Joseph and wife Patrice Reynolds of Monte Vista, CO, Alissa and husband David Johnston of Seneca, MO, Dan Drew and wife Megan Reynolds of Alamosa, CO, and Joshua Reynolds of Monte Vista, CO, 17 great-grand children, sister, Naomi Reynolds of Delta, CO, brothers; Earl Reynolds of Paonia, CO, and Merl Reynolds and wife Amy of Cedaredge, CO; nieces; Rachel Reynolds of Salt Lake City, UT, and Sarah Reynolds of Paonia, CO; nephew, Samuel Reynolds of Cedaredge, CO, and four great-nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on January 3rd, 2020 at the Calvary Baptist Church in Monte Vista, CO at 11:30 am.
Rogers Family Mortuary of Monte Vista is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences or words of strength for the family, please visit www.rogersfunerals.com.