George Marshall Vangorden

George Vangorden Obituary

George was born March 27, 1921 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and made his transition on August 28, 2003. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ruth; daughter Kristin Strachan (John); and granddaughter Arlie Ruth Casibeer, all of Pueblo; a sister Mary Coburn of Tucson, Arizona; and several nieces and nephews. Also his beloved dog, Rosie. Coming back from the service after WWII, George completed four years at D.U. and began a long and diverse singing career. He sang many leading roles with Denver Grand Opera, Denver Lyric Opera and many appearances with the Brico and Denver Symphonies. He sang with the highly regarded Olinger Quartet, Mario's, and was soloist at both 5th and 4th Churches of Christ Scientist. He and his wife sang together for most of their married lives and he was so proud his daughter and granddaughter are carrying on the tradition. George was also an accomplished artist of western oils and watercolors, showing in Taos and local galleries. He was also the in-house cartoonist for Denver Magazine. George was a loving, caring man with an incomparable sense of humor, wit and intelligence. He will forever be missed by his family and friends. Memorial services are pending.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Denver Post on Sep. 4, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for George Vangorden

3 Entries

Claudia Collins

September 16, 2003

George was my Uncle, and beloved by all of us.

Kelly Lee Barney

September 15, 2003

I only met him once. It was at his mother's, my great grandmother's, funeral. At the time and even more so now, thought he bore a striking resemblence to Mamo as well as my grandmother. I was in awe of him. Even though we only met for a few hours, I felt like I had known him, his whole life because of my grandmother's (his sister) endless recounting of their life together as kids and young adults in Tucson, when it still resembled the 'Old Pueblo' and Denver, when it was still a 'Frontier Town' with farms everywhere. There hasn't been a day that goes by, in her life, that she hasn't mentioned him in some way. She idolized him. And I know for a fact, that a big part of her passed along with him, on 08-28-03. When she would tell me about her life growing up with Colonel, (his nick name) it was the only time I ever saw her face completely relax to let happiness, joy and most of all, love, contol her features. It was evident that those years, together with Colonel, that she was truly happy.I have been hearing those stories since I learned to listen. I'm 42 years old now and I just recently saw her in July, and STILL, she talks of those times and STILL, the love for her Colonel, shines through. I think I can honestly say that Colonel, was the only person she ever really loved uncondtionally. She was proud to be his sister. His passing will definitely have a far reaching impact on his numerous neices and nephews, that he never even knew. We will be the ones to witness the impact of her loss, on his passing. The helplessness we'll feel at being unable to assauge her immense greif. He was everything to her. He must have been one hell of a man, to warrant such admiration, respect and ADORATION for my grandmother to carry on about him like she has for the last 40 some years. So he must have been special. The only other person she recalls with such feeling is my grandfather, Andy. So, it is with great respect and honor, that I offer my humble condolences and sincerest sympathies to his sister, wife, daughter and granddaughter. Who inspired him to become the adored brother, celebrated artist, popular singer,loving husband, dutiful father and loving grandfather that he will always be remembered as. May his life be a reminder to those of us left behind, that love is what inspires you to enjoy life and create beauty. That's what he did for my grandmother, Luman, and I will always admire him for that. May he rest in peace.

Kelly Lee Barney

September 15, 2003

He was my grandmother's brother and she never stoped talking of him because she loved him so much. She was proud of his artistic accomplishments and for just being her brother. In fact, I would say that he was the only one she ever loved unconditionally.His passing will definitely have a far reaching affect on his many neices and nephews because we will be the ones to see the impact of the loss, that my grandmother, Luman, will feel everyday.Because in my forty years of knowing her, there wasn't a time or day, that went by that she didn't tell me a story about their adventures in Tucson and Denver. My condolences and prayers to all, that will feel the loss of this man, George Marshall VanGorden.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 results