Jesse Eugene Retherford
Marriages
Vivian Joye Schafer - September 2, 1950
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 8B Death Notice - April 24, 2013
Jesse E. Retherford, 89, Grand Junction, died April 22, 2013, at
Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday at Callahan-Edfast
Mortuary, followed by services at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at 1
p.m. Monday at Oddfellows Cemetery on Orchard Mesa.
Survivors include three sons, Dennis of Cortez, and Doug and
Terry, both of Grand Junction; one daughter, Lori Ann Erb of
Grand Junction; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one
great-grandchild.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice & Palliative Care
of Western Colorado, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction 81506.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 3D - April 28, 2013
Jesse Eugene Retherford, born
January 27, 1924, to Henry and
Mary Retherford in Stillwater,
OK, went to be with the love of
his life. He was 89. Born in Oklahoma,
his family moved to Pleasantview,
CO, where he grew up
and graduated. He then enlisted in
the USN and served in WWII
from 1941-1947. After moving
back to Pleasantview and working various jobs, he started a ban d,
“Gene Retherford and the Hollywood Trio”.
It wasn’t long before he met and married Vivian Joye Schafer.
They were married September 2, 1950. They had Dennis Retherford
in 1951, and Doug Retherford in 1952, both in Cortez, CO. They
moved to Monticello. UT, where he worked at the Uranium Mill. In
1957, they moved to Fruita, CO, where he worked for Gilsonite &
Gary Refinery for 24 years. In 1958, they had Terry Retherford ,
and five years later, in 1963, they adopted their daughter, Lor i Ann
Retherford. In 1967, they moved to the Redlands, where he had hi s
beloved Apple Orchard and enjoyed the rest of his life.
Jesse always put his family first and was at his happiest whe n outside
on family camping trips, fishing, hunting, and family reun ions
at Lake Powell, Flaming Gorge, Mesa Lakes or anywhere where we
could all be together and he could sing and play the guitar with family
and friends. He loved his golf, gym and walking, it kept hi m
busy and vibrant. He lived life to the fullest. He not only was a great
and loving father and grandfather, he was our HERO.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mary; his
wife, Vivian; his brothers, Kenneth, Ted and Ray Retherford, an d
his grandson, Ricky Erb. He is survived by his sons, Dennis (Kathy)
Retherford of Cortez; Doug Retherford of Grand Junction, and
Terry (Brenda) Retherford of Grand Junction; his daughter, Lori
Ann (Rocky) Erb of Grand Junction; 11 grandchildren; 14
great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, at Callahan-Edfast, followed
by a graveside Military Honor Guard service at 1:00 p.m. at
Orchard Mesa Cemetery in the Odd Fellows Section. A viewing will
be from 9 to 11:00 a.m. Monday
In lieu of flowers a donation in his name can be made to Hosp ice
and Palliative Care of Grand Junction.
