Ernest Lou Veo

Ernest Lou Veo was born March 10^th, 1930, to Leo Franklin (Buck) Veo and Lois Eva Richardson at St. Lukes Hospital in Montrose, Colorado. Growing up Ernie lived and worked on the family cattle and sheep ranch in Cimarron, Colorado. He attended school in Cimarron through the 8^th grade, traveling by horseback with his brother, Dick, 6 miles each way to get his education. They rode 3 miles to Newberry’s Store where in the winter “Pop” Newberry would pull them down off their retired racehorse, Ted, and bring them in by the stove for a few minutes before lifting them back onto Ted to continue the ride to school. Ted was a tall horse! Ernie then attended Montrose High School where he graduated with the class of 1948. He was an active and talented tumbler in high school which served as physical therapy for his undiagnosed broken back which occurred in a skiing accident at the ranch as a young man.

 After high school he continued to work on the family ranch. Ernie met his lifetime sweetheart, Florence DelTonto, when she worked at Maude Austin Drug Store in Montrose. After Florence got to know Ernie a little better, she would make the strawberry shake he enjoyed so much with real ice cream, rather than the traditional ice milk, no 5-cent upcharge collected! They were married on December 14, 1952, in the First Methodist Church of Montrose. Ernie’s enlistment in the US Army began on November 19^th,1953. He was stationed at Fort Ord, California and Fort Riley, Kansas where an apartment fire destroyed all their belongings including their wedding gifts. He finished his tour stationed at Fort Hood, Texas where their eldest son David was born. He was Honorably Discharged November 18^th, 1955.

After his army discharge, Ernie and Florence’s family expanded with the births of Dennis, Debra, and Terry, all born in Montrose. Ernie worked for the Western Colorado Power Company and eventually Delta-Montrose Electric Association as an Apprentice Lineman, Journeyman Lineman, Crew Foreman, and Line Supervisor. He was a member of the IBEW Local 1200, Local 1057 and finally Local 111 serving as Steward and as a member of several contract negotiating committees. Ernie loved working in the field with his line crew and was a knowledgeable and respected mentor to many apprentice linemen. He was also an instructor at the Mesa Hotline School in Grand Junction, Colorado. He retired after 42 years of service on April 1,1994. Ernie was active in the local 4-H program as the founding Leader of the Eastside Ranchers 4-H club, which produced numerous champion entries for over 15 years. He served on the Montrose Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years from 1965 to 1987 in many capacities including First Lieutenant, Treasurer, and as an Investigating Committee Member. He served as a Board Member and President of the Montrose Producers Co-Op. He was a longtime member of B.P.O. Elks 1053, initiated in 1959 with 65 years of continuous membership. Ernie was a devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, beloved uncle, and respected member of the Montrose community. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his loving wife of over 71 years, Florence, Children David (Jolene) Veo of Park Rapids, MN; Dennis (Kathy) Veo of Montrose; Debra Veo of Arizona; Terry (Patricia) Veo of Maricopa, AZ. Grandsons Kristopher (Bethany), Kristopher was born on Ernie’s 51^st birthday, Levi (Sara), Cash (Melissa), Logan, and only Granddaughter Jessica (Darrell) who was born on Florence’s birthday. Great grandchildren Jordan, Eli, Jaxon, Easton, Mason, Lainey, Lindey, and Dalton, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.

 He was preceded in death by both his parents, an infant daughter, and his only sibling Richard F. (Dick) Veo and wife Lois Marie. Also, his father and mother-in-law Pete & Susie DelTonto, brother and sisters-in-law Charlie, Jimmy, Bobby and Betty DelTonto, Mabel DeVincentis, Pauline Garinger, and Virginia Hadley.

The Veo family would like to convey a heartfelt “Thank you” to all the Hope West Hospice nurses for the sincere, loving care they provided Ernie, especially Mary & Mellisa.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Hope West Hospice or Christ Church of the Valley in memory of Ernest Lou Veo.