Elbert P. Baldrey

Elbert P. Baldrey, age 97, of Montrose, Colorado died early Monday morning, Mar. 25, 2013 at Valley Manor Care Center in Montrose.  He was born July 16, 1915 to Thomas Marshall and Elizabeth Emeretta (McNabney) Baldrey in Montrose, and spent his childhood in rural Montrose and Menoken area.  Elbert graduated from Montrose High School in 1934.  He served his country in the United States Army in Pacific Theater, as a Medic from 1941 to 1945.  Following his honorable discharge, Elbert married Mary Alice Anderson Goldsworthy on December 29, 1946 in Montrose.  She preceded him in death on October 10, 2005 in Montrose. He was a farmer in the Montrose area and worked in the timber industry as a logger for several years in the Eagle County area.  Elbert and Mary Alice had also resided in Gypsum, Colorado from 1960 to 2004, where Elbert was a carpenter and building maintenance employee for Eagle County for many years, prior to his retirement.  They were members of the Methodist Church while living in Gypsum and the First Presbyterian Church in Montrose.  A great love of Elbert was working with his hands and woodworking.  He enjoyed reading and visiting about WWII military history and had a deep faith in God.

Surviving family members include his children Margaret (Terry) Stephens of San Antonio, Texas, Ralph Baldrey of Gypsum, Colorado, Carol (Bruce) Harper of Avon, Colorado, Kenneth Baldrey and Kris Peterson of Denver, Colorado, Alice Baldrey-Kelly and Blaine Kelley of Montrose, Colorado; nine grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.  Elbert was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Thomas and Marion Baldrey, sisters Gwendolyn Beach, Eula Mae Seymour, daughter-in-law Vera Baldrey.

A Funeral Service in celebration of Elbert’s life will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Scott Myers officiating.  Graveside Services with Military Honors will follow the service at Cedar Cemetery, east of Montrose. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Colorado, In memory of Elbert Baldrey, P.O. Box 1804, Montrose, Co. 81402.  The family wishes to thank the compassionate staff at Valley Manor Care Center for the loving care of our dad.  Arrangements are under the direction of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.