George Edward Steele

A private service and inurnment will take place at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado.

Survivors include his wife, Helen; one daughter, Suzette Louden of Grand Junction; and one grandchild.

George E. Steele, Jr.

February 21, 1924 - January 15, 2015

George was born and raised, along with his brother and three sisters, on the family homestead outside Nucla, Colorado. He helped with the family cattle ranch, spending many summers on the Uncompahgre Plateau keeping an eye on the herd.

George married his wife, Helen, in 1943, before he enlisted in the Army during WWII. While serving throughout the Pacific, he was wounded by shrapnel, earning a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star, and was later chosen as a member of Gen. MacArthur's Honor Guard.

Returning from the war in early 1946, George and Helen moved to Cedaredge where he worked several jobs, finally getting on at the local fish hatchery. His work as a Fish and Game Warden took his young family all over Colorado, until finally settling below the Rifle Falls Fish Hatchery in the early 1950s.

Even after his retirement, George was always busy. Whether helping his son, Rudy, with his guide and outfitting business, fishing, taking motorcycle trips with the Goldwing club, snowmobiling, exploring the countryside on horseback with his granddaughter, or maintaining his impeccable yard/garden, he was never idle.

George was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. No matter where he went he was greeted by a friendly smile and a wave, a stranger to no one. He will be dearly missed by all. He passed peacefully, his family by his side.

George is survived by his wife, Helen Steele of Grand Junction; daughter and son-in-law, Suzette and Bill Louden of Grand Junction, and granddaughter, Teresa Vessels of Fruita. He is predeceased by his son, Rudy; his parents, and four siblings.

Arrangements by Callahan-Edfast with private services for family at Veterans Memorial Cemetery.