Charles Daniel Homedew

Charles Daniel Homedew

March 28, 1916 ~ May 28, 2016

Charles Daniel Homedew was born March 28, 1916 in Hughton, Kansas, the second of six children born to Samuel and Rosa Homedew. He was young when the family moved to Holly, Colorado. There he went to school and helped with the family farm. The family also lived for a short time in Noti, Oregon and Toppenish, Washington before returning to Holly. After he graduated from high school in 1935, he joined the CCC and was sent to the Western Slope, working on Grand Mesa. He fell in love with western Colorado, farming with his uncle in Mack and Fruita, until he joined the Army on December 4, 1941, just days before Pearl Harbor was bombed. He was a communication specialist, spending most of WWII in France.

He returned from the war to western Colorado, farming and working construction until his construction crew moved to Southeastern Utah. There he met Barbara Peterson, “slinging hash at the Elk Ridge Restaurant”. Their first date was to the local movie theater. They married in 1960 and he adopted her three children from a previous marriage. They added five more children to their family through the years, along with fostering Navajo children attending school. The home was busy, where everyone learned to work, whether in the house, the garden, or taking care of animals. Life was filled with games and music, along with many camping trips. Many Saturday nights were spent with the family eating popcorn and watching the Lawrence Welk Show.

He continued working in construction for many years, and then became a custodian. This allowed more time with the family and his hobbies of wood working and leather crafts.  After retiring he drove the Senior Citizen bus for many years in Blanding, Utah, before moving back to the Western Slope and making his home in Olathe. There he continued with his love of leather and wood work. He taught many youth classes in Olathe, sharing his love and knowledge of leather. He also did craft fairs with his brother-in-law, selling lamps, bowls, and tops he turned on his lathe. He also sold stools, ironing boards, mirrors, clocks and frames.

He loved to travel and visit his children, driving from Colorado, through Utah, Wyoming, Oregon and California, before returning home. He never did make it to Australia, which was one wish he had.

He left his earthly home on May 28, 2016, two months after celebrating his 100 birthday. His sense of humor, stories, and love of life will be missed by his sister, Mary Frances (Robert) Mercer; as well as his children:  Nancy (Bill) Player, Rebecca (Kevin) Rocque, David (Pat) Homedew, Ruth (Craig) Heninger, Sam (Deanna) Homedew, Beth (Casey) Nielson, and Heidi (Dale) Brown, 30 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. He will be joining his family that preceded him in death: his parents, and brothers John, Harold, George, and Roy; ex-wife Barbara; daughter Rosamae; and granddaughter Brittany.

There will be an evening of remembrances that will include a viewing on Thursday, June 2nd, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Crippin Funeral Home, located at 802 E Main St, Montrose, CO and Graveside Service with Military Honors will be held on Friday, June 3rd at 1:00p.m. at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado in Grand Junction, Colorado.  Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory in Montrose, is assisting the family.