Vernon Stanford Ballard

Vernon Stanford Ballard, 84, of Canon City, died Aug. 16.

He was born in Allison Township, Ill., on Oct. 25, 1925, the son of the late William and Martha (Smith) Ballard.

He lived in Fairbanks Alaska for over 30 years, and then moved to Canon City.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and he loved moose hunting in the Alaskan wilderness. 

Vernon never found a stream in Alaska he would not fish. Vernon always had a smile and a joke for everyone, and he never did complain, or have a bad word about anyone.

He was stationed on the USS Howard W. Gilmore while in the Navy during WWII.

He worked on the Alaska Railroad as a Round House Foreman until his retirement in 1978.

He served as Past Commander of the VFW 4061 and has an Honor Degree for the Military order of the Cootie.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Paul Ballard and Don Vermillion, and sister Alvena Kirkman.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Gloria Ballard of Canon City, daughter Penny (Ron) Rand of Williamsburg, granddaughter Andrea Ballard of Florence and great granddaughters Isabell Yeager and Scarlett Wheeler, both of Florence, and sisters Regina Moorman of Indiana and Marylan Gallimore of Georgia.

Memorial Service will be at The Gateway Historic Community Chapel, 110 N Santa Fe, Florence, at 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20 with Charles Giebler officiating.

Family and friends will gather after the service at the family home, 1518 Cedar, Canon City.

On Line condolences may be made at www.charlesanthonyfh.com

Rev. Merton M. Cox

The Rev. Merton M. Cox died Aug. 13 in Canon City, thus ending a journey started March 27, 1916 in Dixon, Neb.

He was preceded in death by his parents P.D. Cox and E. Iris Cox, brothers Paul, Ronald and Loren and sister Lorna Poppalwell. He was also preceded by wives Murial Ann and Lois Pearl.

He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Rebecca, and sister Leona (Lu) Jones, children William, Timothy (Melinda) Cox, Elizabeth (Kevin) Anderson, Iris (Calvin) Sundermann, grandchildren Crystal Billingsley, Ron Cox, Luke Whitesell, Kenneth Anderson, Zachary and Zane Sundermann, 3 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild

Merton graduated from high school in Orleans, Neb.

He proudly served in World War II in the Merchant Marine as cook and baker aboard the USS Erwin Russell.

Upon returning from the war he completed his Bachelors of Arts degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 1946, a Bachelors Degree in Divinity from Oberlin College in 1952 and a Masters Degree in Divinity from Vanderbilt University.

He spent many years as a minister for the Methodist Church through Nebraska, Wyoming, and Colorado, settling in Canon City in 1964, where he became a chaplain for the Colorado Department of Corrections until retiring in 1995.

He enjoyed bowling, gardening, and spending time with his family.

Memorial services were Wednesday, Aug. 18, at the United Methodist Church in Florence with Pastors Greg Borden and Claude Sullivan presiding.

Charles Anthony Funeral Home of Florence was in charge of arrangements.

Theodore P. Doxtater

Theodore P. Doxtater 76 of Penrose died Aug. 2, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on Feb. 13, 1934 in Milwaukee, Wis. to Vernon and Carrie (Wentz) Doxtater.

He is survived by his loving and caring wife of 54 years Elsie Doxtater; children David (Patti) Doxtater of Canon City, Donna (Dan) McNulty of Denver, and Theodore (Barbara) Doxtater II of Pueblo West; grandchildren Nicole (Chad) Francis of Florence, Jason Doxtater of Canon City, Megan (Guy) Church of Pueblo, Brittney and Grant McNulty of Denver; and step-grandchildren, Luthien Garrett, Chad McNulty and Erica McNulty. Theodore is also survived by great grandchildren (who he affectionately labeled "the Rocky Mountain distributors" because they shared their sneezes and sniffles unwittingly through lots of hugs and kisses), Morgan Swann, Sydney, Sierra and Noelle Francis, and Callie Church.

He is also survived by his sisters, Joyce (John) Snedeker of Wisconsin, and Elsa (Vic) Thomas of Texas; sister-in-law Nancy Doxtater of Penrose; brother-in-law Nick Vans of Wisconsin; and special family members Teresa Kline, Teri, Ashley and D.J. Hamand; and numerous other brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by parents; brothers Jack and Vernon Doxtater; sister Millie Vans; several nieces and nephews; and his best friend Gilbert Herrera

Ted served in the United States Army. He attended Harvard Business School and was a Business Manager for the Colorado Laborers Union and President of the Colorado Laborers District Council. He served in the union for more than 40 years. He was responsible for creating the health plan and pension plan benefits for all members of the laborers union, and the creation of the Colorado Laborers Training School. Ted served on numerous community boards around Colorado. He was a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, the American Legion, Eagles, and a lifetime member of the Elks.

Ted loved to meet and talk to people of all walks of life and was at home whether he was in a meeting in the Governor's office or at a church potluck dinner. He was a true champion and believer in everyone getting a fair shake. He helped a lot of people, sometimes without their knowledge, and never asked for anything in return. Just knowing he was helping was enough of a reward for him. His interests included genealogy, trips to New Mexico, playing cards, history, fishing, and family gatherings.

Memorial Mass will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 21, at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in Florence.

Arrangements were handled through Wilson Funeral Home, Canon City.

Clarence Dale Thomas

Clarence Dale Thomas of Williamsburg died Aug. 14.  

Clarence was born in Ardmore, Okla., on Nov. 11, 1938, the son of the late Hershel and Ethel (Bell) Thomas. 

He was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War, and retired after 21 years with the Army.  He was a member of the DAV, VFW, and American Legion, of Canon City. 

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Nola, Rachel, Edith, Theda and Patsy, brother Orval Thomas, sons-in-law Ronny Crow and Tony Hays. 

He is survived by brother Otis Thomas and sister Martha (Gerald) Hall, his loving wife Betty, daughters Sandra (Ewe) Buchheit of Germany, step children Tom (Dana) Nichols, Royce (Lonnie) Nichols, Helen (Tim) Blatnick and Tami Hays, 21 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. 

Funeral service will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Gateway Community Chapel in Florence with burial following at Lakeside Cemetery.