Gary Elmer Metcalf

Gary E. Metcalf, age 81, passed on at Catherine†™s Quality of Life Home in Lakewood, Colorado on August 20, 2013. Inurnment will be at Fort Logan National Cemetery on Friday, September 6 at 1:30 in Area B. A celebration of his life service will be held Saturday, September 7 at 1:00 at the Chapel at Red Rocks, just outside Morrison. (Take Hwy 74 out of Morrison to Red Rocks Entrance 3 and turn right.) A reception will follow the service at the Stone House at 2900 South Estes St. in Lakewood. Gary is survived by his wife, Mary Heuwinkel, of Lakewood; his daughter, Joyceane (and Shawn) Peterson of Omaha; four grandchildren: Breeane and Kealinn Peterson of Omaha, Niel Peterson of Scottsdale AZ, and Bridget Peterson of New Orleans; his brother†™s widow, Phyllis Metcalf, of Oberlin KS; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and a great-great-nephew and great-great-niece. Gary was born on the family farm in Decatur County, Kansas on Aug. 25, 1931 to Elmer and Vida May (Berry) Metcalf. He and older sister, Betty Berdine Stramel, and older brother, Dole, attended country school at Decatur District #203, northeast of Oberlin, Kansas. He graduated from Decatur Community High School in 1949. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Oct. 1950 and spent the next four years as a Machinist†™s Mate on the U.S.S. Gunston Hall, making several trips across the Pacific to Korea and Japan. Upon his discharge from the Navy, Gary married Eleanor Nielson, and the couple had one daughter, Joyceane (Peterson). They moved to Georgia, where Gary graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Forestry in 1960. Gary†™s career as a forester began in Illinois, but he soon began work on a Master†™s Degree at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. He was employed by the U.S. Forest Service from 1963-1989, working in the Black Hills National Forest, the Medicine Bow National Forest near Laramie, Wy., and the U.S.F.S. Regional Office in Lakewood, CO. Gary met his current wife, Mary, in 1973, and the two made their lives together beginning in 1974 and marrying in 1994. They shared a deep love of nature and enjoyed camping and hiking in the forest. Gary†™s happiest times were spent among the trees, making his own trails, finding interesting artifacts like old bottles, and observing the wildlife around him. In his later years, he spent a great deal of time wandering through Red Rocks Park and Bear Creek Lake Park. Gary also had a fascination with cars and driving, winning trophies for his skill in driving in ice races in the Black Hills. This love translated into owning touring motorcycles and taking road trips around Colorado and beyond. Through it all, Gary†™s love of rock and roll music kept him energized, whether at a Red Rocks concert, in the car, or listening to the MP3 player set up for him by his grandchildren. Gary had a good sense of humor, loved to tease, and will be remembered for his smile that lit up his face. Charitable contributions in Gary†™s honor may be made to: Lutheran Hospice, 3210 Lutheran Parkway, Wheat Ridge CO 80033 Catherine†™s Quality of Life Homes, P.O. Box 3638, Evergreen CO 80437 Or The Alzheimer†™s Association of Colorado, www.alz.org/co, or 455 Sherman St., Ste 500, Denver, CO 80203