George Gribble

George Gribble
January 23, 1934 - January 5, 2016
George Gribble born January 23, 1934, died peacefully in his sleep January 5, 2016.
George was one of 11 children born to Willis and Marguerite Gribble in Alney Springs Colorado. He worked in farming there and played baseball until he joined the Air Force in 1958. There he traveled all over the United States including cities such as New York, Chicago and Texas. He eventually returned to Colorado where he met Phyllis Strakey, his true love. They were married December 11, 1965 and they spent most of their 50 years of marriage in Colorado.
He worked as a Pipefitter and was a member of the Local Plumbers and Pipefitters Union 145. He was a creative teacher and an inventor. He had a teaching style so unique that he not only gave you the instruction and tools you needed to do a job, but he explained and drew pictures to make sure you understood every detail. Most of the guys he worked around soon wanted to be on his crew. He was recognized and awarded with his lifetime membership pin and certificate for 45 years of service through local Union 145 in July 2015.
He attended Mesa View Baptist Church where he taught a Sunday School Class. He liked to sing and embraced music even more as his health prevented him from other physical activities. His hobbies included golf, hunting, fishing, painting, and sculpture. He invented many tools, vehicles and projects that he taught and passed on to his children.
He was also close to his brothers who had quite a sense of humor and often exchanged their original hand written cartoons, cards and homemade toys made of bailing wire and scraps from building materials. Everyone that came into contact with George went away encouraged, capable and cared about. He taught his kids to play sports and to be team players. He was a fan of the Colorado Rockies, Denver Broncos and coached Little League when his kids were young.
He leaves behind his wife of more than 50 years, Phyllis; one sister, Eva; brothers, Jack, Claude, Cecil, Wesley and David; children, Jerry, John, Roger Casey, Joyce and Mark; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He will be missed by many family and friends throughout the community.