Gregory Greg Keith Konkel

Earlier that same year, his cousins Dan Konkel and Valory West were born. His Grandma Konkel delighted in having three grandchildren born in one year. Family gatherings were frequent since Greg's dad, Vern, his Uncle Jim and Aunt Barbara all lived in the Denver area and the children were all close in age. According to his Aunt Barbara, "he was a handsome blond, blue eyed boy. He took up playing the trombone at an early age. His aunt reminded us that he played the trombone at gatherings and apparently liked the tune for "Go Tell Aunt Rodie." I wonder if Jesus Loves Us would have been a better repetitive tune to have learned. Trombone playing was a centerpiece in his growing up. He practiced and performed with a group known as the Denverettes and Denveraires all through his school years. They practiced at Grant Avenue United Methodist Church in downtown Denver and held camps in Grand Lake, Colorado. In 1972, the group traveled to Europe to perform. This memorable trip brought Mom, Greg and Jeff all over Denmark and beyond for three weeks.

Greg attended Steven Knight Elementary, Eugene Field Elementary, Isaac Newton Middle School, Euclid Middle School and Littleton High School. It seems living in rural Greenwood Village meant the schools changed their boundaries regularly! Greg graduated from Littleton High School in 1972. We found countless boyhood pictures of Greg; always a snazzy dresser with a bow tie on. His high school pictured had him looking distinctively 70's. It was the time dressing up meant bold colors, leisure suits, "butterfly" collar shirts and fat ties. Greg loved television and shows like The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, Bewitched, Bonanza and Laugh-in came in fine on the black and white TV screen. Steve relayed this story about Greg: "In the winter of 1973, Greg loaned his older brother a new down insulated coat; in fact, Greg insisted. After a car accident in snowy conditions on back roads in Pitkin County, his brother walked 9 miles to civilization and the parka ended up saving his life in severe, sub-zero conditions. Greg could be a very generous soul." I hesitate to mention...well, it was also Greg's prized Green Cameo that his older brother ditched!

After trying his hand at the University of Colorado - Boulder, Greg headed to Maine and stayed with his brother, Steve. He took a job as a long liner on a professional Cod fishing boat. This deep sea fishing required the boat to leave dock for a tour that lasted weeks. Greg would have us rolling with his "enactment" of the non-stop wrenching he endured for days on the boat. He was so severely sea sick that the Captain took pity and turned the boat around to deposit Greg back on shore.

Greg found that he was a quicker study "on the job." He started his career as an HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning) technician. He worked in the commercial field on medium and large industrial units for office buildings and hospitals. He was exceptional at learning his trade and being able to fix most units in one visit. One beautiful, summer Colorado day, he invited mom and sister, Mary, to come with him on a service call in Estes Park, Colorado. He made that day so memorable by pointing out the wildlife in town and picnicking in the park. He thoroughly enjoyed sharing his time in the company of others and always was chatty. He was such a great conversationalist.

Greg married on Feb. 14, 1998 to Cindy. They were both glowing that day. They loved being parents to their cats and resided in Englewood, Colorado. Cindy developed Multiple Sclerosis shorty after they married and due to financial burden of her treatment; they divorced. They continued on as a married couple even though Cindy was placed in a long-term medical facility.

A few thoughts on by brother Greg, by Mary. Oh the stories. He had wild friends. I will carry the memories of my breaking out in such genuine laughter at his stories that I often felt I would "bust my gut" if I listened to any more. He had such dead-pan deliveries of something that had occurred in his life. I chose to put a Sacred Heart Cross in his hands at burial because I know he had a big heart made by our Big God. We also placed a hand-carved wood elephant with him. Later, I looked up the spiritual meaning of elephants. This is what I read: "elephants are sometimes employed to carry burdens...under trying circumstances...with great sagacity" and "an underlying love and sense of justice." Greg was a trooper in life and he did live large. At the close of the service for Greg, three doves were released to signify the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. They flew vigorously up into the sky and flew in a circle where they were joined by a forth dove, representing Greg, having just been released by Cindy. Our eyes filled as our hearts rested in a vision of Greg, safe at HOME with OUR LORD..