Ross G. Smith

Ross G. Smith, 84, of Montrose, CO died unexpectedly of a ruptured aneurism on Monday, May 26, 2014.  Ross was born to Lewis W. Smith Sr., and Josie L. Glover on July 31, 1929 in Holly, Colo.  Ross had seven siblings; Thelma, Gertrude, Lewis Jr. (Smitty), Charles, Lorene, Kenneth and Keith who along with his parents preceded him in death.

His family relocated to Olathe, CO in 1934 where he grew up and attended school.  After leaving school he went to work with his older brother Smitty logging timber.  He then moved to Delta, Colo. 1949.  In Delta he raised his family and worked for Meadow Gold Dairy, Rocky Mountain Gas Company, Burton Conoco, Ford Motor Co. and the school district before starting his 20 plus year career as a coal miner.  He worked for Grand Mesa Coal Mine in Cedaredge, CO, and King Coal Mine in Durango, CO.

After he and his second wife Walburga retired they moved to T or C New Mexico.  In 2005 they returned to Colorado where they built their current home in Montrose.

Russ enjoyed gardening, working in their beautiful well groomed yard, raising and selling exotic birds.  Christmas was his favorite holiday and he loved decorating his home and yard to share the spirit with the community.  People would stop to admire his huge Christmas display.   He loved spending time with his family and had a great attitude about life and lived his life to it’s fullest up to the final day.

Ross is survived by his wife Walburga of 43 years and by his children; Dale (Sherilyn) Smith of Durango, CO, Linda Chapin of Montrose, CO, Terry (Stacia) Smith of Montrose, CO, Diane (Dennis) Sitton of Hotchkiss, CO and Rolf (Kelli) Hechler of T or C, NM.

Ross is also survived by 13 grandchildren, Rhonda, Jim, Desiree, Sheena, Jeff, Michael, Kevin, Robert, Dennis, Elisha, Christina, OJ, ad Eric.  She has 24 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.

Ross requested there be no funeral service.  Ross’s family is planning a gathering  in the future in his remembrance.  Arrangements were under the care of Crippin Funeral Home & Crematory, Montrose, Colorado