CARL JUNCTION, Mo. —
Lewis Eugene "Gene" Colegrove, age 92, Carl Junction, Mo., passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, at a local nursing center.
Gene was born Jan. 4, 1921, in Wellsville, Kan., son of the late Eli and Ona Colegrove. He graduated from Wellsville High School and joined the United States Navy serving during World War II. He returned to attend Baker University in Baldwin, Kan. His freshman English teacher was named Betty and it was love at first sight. They married on Aug. 31, 1947, and enjoyed 63 wonderful years together. She passed away on April 13, 2007.
Mr. Colegrove was a long-time member of Carl Junction Christian Church.
After graduation from Baker, Gene worked for Honeywell in Kansas City for the next 20 years. He then moved to Joplin, where he worked for the Joplin Globe from 1978 until retiring in 2006.
In addition to his parents and wife, Gene was preceded in death by his only daughter, Gina Beth who was killed in a tragic car accident in 1985; his sister, Faye; and Josh Brown.
Gene is survived by his beloved friends, Barbara and Wes King, of Joplin; Chris and Julie Brown, of Columbus, Kan.; Kyle and Tina King, of Joplin; Bryce and Jessica Buergin, of Columbus; Maddie Buergin, Paizley Buergin and Braxtyn Brown, all of Columbus; friends, Dan and Kathy Holt and their family, of Alaska.
Graveside services with Military Honors will be held 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Ozark Memorial Park with Dennis Johnson officiating. Pallbearers will be Kyle King, Chris Brown, Bryce Buergin, Allen Pruitt, Terry Green and Gene Wallace. His friend, Harold Doty, will be an honorary pallbearer. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at Parker Mortuary.
Memorial contributions are encouraged to Joplin Humane Society.
Online condolences may be made at www.parkermortuary.com
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