Eugene "Gene" Joseph Charbonneau

Eugene “Gene” Joseph Charbonneau

09/22/1932 – 12/09/24

Gene Charbonneau was born to Adelore and Aldea (LaBarge) Charbonneau on September 22, 1932 in Clyde, KS and raised on a nearby farm. He moved to Concordia, KS for his high school years.

Gene died December 9, 2024 and will be interred at Fort Logan National Cemetery with full military honors on January 10, 2025 at 11:30 AM.

Gene enlisted in the United States Army in 1953, served as a company clerk in Korea and was honorably discharged in 1956 at the rank of SP2. Gene was awarded the following medals for his service: Good Conduct, National Defense, Korean Service and UN Korean Service.

Gene moved to Denver, Colorado in 1956 and worked for the US Government. His last job was for US Geological Survey – Water Resources Division, where he was a hydrologist. Gene retired December 28, 1990.

Gene loved Colorado and explored it throughout his years in the state. Gene loved to hunt and fish.

His favorite fishing was chasing brookies in Shoe and Stocking Creek on Gore Pass and setting up a huge camp with his life partner Betty Jane Cochran.

Gene would go ice fishing with his son Worm and a crew of amazing fisherman. Steve and Sharon Brenner, Mark Altman, Jeff Oliver and Tony Zimmerman.

Gene hunted elk and deer for many years on the Troublesome Creek drainage near Kremmling. Hunting camp featured Larry “Don Lorenzo” Cerrillo, Don Diego Gonzalez, Rick “Don Guzano” Charbonneau accompanying Gene “Don Eugenio” Charbonneau. Don Diego’s sons Dondi and Gavin both hunted with us at times. Jim Bleichwehl hunted with us one year and he got a bull elk.

Gene was on the volunteer staff of the bicycle tour Ride The Rockies for 19 years. Gene worked with the infamous John Runkell on route marking signs for his first few years, then staffed Aid Station #2 with Betty Cochran and Jan “Just Jan” Owens Bruene for the balance of the years.

Gene was a very accomplished wood carver. He created many lifelike bird carvings and well as some animals and mountain men.

Gene was a world class collector! Collections include Beanie Babies, seashells, belt buckles, Avon bottles, recurve bows, antique Tonka Toy trucks, animal pelts (furs), antique fishing lures.

Tammy (Riggs) Dybdahl was Gene’s best friend for the last decade of his life. She provided companionship, advice, understanding, singing “Blues In The Night”, meals, sitting in the shade of the crabapple tree in the driveway, showers and visits to memory care.

Gene spent the last three years of his life in a memory care facility in Fort Lupton, Colorado. Special thanks to Mary and Kayla for showing Gene so much love in his last years.

Gene is preceded in death by his father Adelore, mother Aldea, brother Lloyd G. Charbonneau and infant son Steven Lloyd Charbonneau.

Gene is survived by son Mike Charbonneau and partner Gayle; Rick “Worm” Charbonneau and partner Melanie; daughter-in-law Linda Charbonneau; daughter Cindy Sutera and husband Mark; grandchildren Katie Brown (James) and great grandson Aiden, Charlie Charbonneau (Ashley), Brooke Florian (Blake), and Joey Charbonneau; and best friend Tammy Riggs.