John E. Rumbaugh

John Edward Rumbaugh

March 7, 1937 ~ May 26, 2014

John Edward Rumbaugh, age 77, of Montrose, passed away at home with his family by his side.  John was born March 7, 1937 to Fred and Gertrude (Reed) Rumbaugh at home on North Mesa in Montrose, Co.  John was raised and received his education in Montrose, graduating with the Class of 1955.  While in high school John participated in wrestling, football and FAA.  John was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Bud Rumbaugh, and four sisters Loretta Beach, Hazel Topliss, Wilma Pruett and Faye Bridges.

Shortly after graduation, he and three of his close high school friends enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  John was trained as a hospital corpsman and was stationed for a period in Great Lakes and Oak Knoll Naval Hospital.  John was then transferred to Treasure Island in San Francisco, Ca.  While in San Francisco he met and married his best friend and sweet heart Carol Garren on February 16, 1957 in Concord, Ca.  John was then transferred and stationed in Okinawa Japan for 16 months and was later Honorably Discharged in June of 1959.  After being discharged from the U.S. Navy, John went to work for the U.S. Postal Service and later went to work for Dupont Chemical in Antioch, Ca.

Born of this marriage were two sons, Mike and Mark Rumbaugh.  In 1967 John moved his family back to Montrose, Co. and was employed as a pipefitter/Welder for local 145 in Grand Junction, Co.  John enjoyed fishing, hunting, horses as well as horseback riding in the mountains of Western Colorado.  John also enjoyed watching local high school sports and even while his health was declining he made every effort to attend the games.  During those games, John also enjoyed talking with old and new friends.  Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Carol Rumbaugh; two sons Mike and Mary (Fullerton) Rumbaugh, Mark and Martha (Christie) Rumbaugh; five grandchildren JD Rumbaugh, Josh Rumbaugh, Amanda Rumbaugh and Brian Rumbaugh and Chance Davidson.  Two great-grandchildren, Krelei and Tripp all of Montrose, Co; one sister Ann Williams of Salt Lake City, Utah and two brother-in-laws, Gary and Linda Garren, of Montrose, and Dick and Sandy Garren of Gardnerville, N.Y., and numerous nieces and nephews.  Cremation has taken place and a celebration of John’s life will be held on Sunday, June 1^st from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Grotto, located at Sampler Square Building, 72 Grand Avenue, Montrose, Co. 81401.  In lieu of flower, memorial gifts may be made in memory of John Rumbaugh to Hope West Hospice, P. O. Box 1804, Montrose, Co  81402, or Montrose Community Foundation, c/o Stadium Fund, in memory of John Rumbaugh, P.O. Box 3571, Montrose, Co.  81402. Condolences may also be sent to the family at www.crippinfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements are under the care of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Co.