Obituary - Guy Leory Colburn
Guy L. Colburn was born August 3, 1924 in Delphos, Kansas the son of Ray Elmer & Irene J. (Teed) Colburn. He passed away September 9, 2013 at Collier Hospice in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Father of Betty Colburn, Terry Carper & Pam (Steve) Eastman; grandfather of Chris (Amy) Carper, Shelby Edwards & Celeste Wade; great grandfather of Logan Carper, Jaeden Wade & Mariah Carper; uncle of De Sandell. Memorial contributions may be made to Collier Hospice, 3210 Lutheran Pkwy, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033.
Guy Colburn Life Summary
Guy L. Colburn was born August 3rd, 1924 in Delphos, Kansas to Ray Elmer and Irene J. Colburn. He was one of two children and the youngest. He moved to Denver at about 4 months old, he was as close to a native as you can get. As a youngster he grew up in North Denver and used to hunt and fish right across the lake at Lakeside.
Guy always enjoyed the mountains whether it was hiking or a car ride. Winter or summer he loved being outdoors. In the summer they would ride their bikes out to Golden on 44th and back home on 32nd. In the winter he would carry his ice skates to school and then go to Rocky Mountain Lake to skate until dark.
The Coburn’s were a tight knit family across multiple generations. Guy always made time for his younger nieces to play games with them.
Guy attended Alcott elementary, Skinner Junior High and high school at North Denver. Guy has always been thoroughly entrenched in the North Denver community.
Guy being very patriotic wanted to participate in World War II but was classified 4F with a heart mummer, he was so disappointed.
During his youth he danced away many nights at the Trocadero ballroom at Elitch’s when it was on 38th. Guy also often went to Lakeside and enjoyed all the rides with the kids. Also as a teen Guy was an active participant in the DeMolay. From high school until later in life Guy continued to be involved in bowling, bike riding and hiking. He was an active member of the Ramblers walking group in his 80’s.
Guy went to work with his best friend in a dental lab early in his work life. As a teenager Guy was a tinker and a fixer, this carried over to later jobs working on TV & then owning his own TV repair shops. When TV’s went to transistors instead of tubes he changed jobs to become a supervisor at Hunter Holster until he retired in the late 1970’s. Guy always had time for his grandson Chris. They fished, rode motor cycles and had special Saturday morning boy’s breakfast outings. Breakfast has always been important to Guy and at an early hour. Guy enjoyed other foods to especially anything spicy.
Dad’s religious roots were long established. He served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir with a great base voice. Guy was still active in bible study until this month. Guy was a long time member of Berkley Methodist church, Bonnie Brae Baptist and Evangel Baptist Church.
Guy has 3 daughters one of whom was not involved in his life for nearly 60 years. Guy, Betty and Terry knew about Pam and never forgot her but Pam didn’t know anything about her Denver family. It was a blessing when Pam’s daughter located the Denver family and reunited them all. Guy said it was always a hole in his heart to not know where Pam was and he was so excited to have all his daughters connected. We have had three wonderful years of getting to know each other and filling in lots of life events.
Guy stayed active even until 89 even thought the military had rejected him. In June of this year his daughters took Guy to visit the Pikes Peak area, he had not been there for a long time. He rode the cog railway train, went to the Garden of the Gods and the Red Rock which he thoroughly enjoyed.
The last week of Guy’s life though he was very sick he never complained of pain even though he struggled to breath from pneumonia. He was alert and engaged with family and friends to the last day, recognizing everyone who came. When Guy’s great grandchildren Logan and Mariah came to visit he was delighted to see them and his eyes sparkled. Though he didn’t want much to eat that last day when offered a Wendy’s Frosty he said “oh you have the best ideas” A trip to Wendy’s provided a vanilla Frosty which he happily ate every drop.
Guy was liked by all and many said he was “such a sweet man”. He went to his eternal home peacefully in his sleep on Monday, September 9th, 2013. He is survived by his immediate family of his three daughters, Betty Colburn, Terry Carper and Pam Eastman.