George Jacob Gahm

George is survived by his wife, Betty, in Parker, CO; his children Gretchen Gahm/ Jim Boyd (Glenwood Springs); Gregory Gahm / Laurie Glezen (Greenwood Village); Gary Gahm / TD Price Gahm (Costa Mesa, CA); and Grant Gahm / Liz Stout (Aurora). He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Fred Fabec and seven grandchildren: Claire, Cassie, Tyler, Meghan, Chloe, Delaney and Wyatt Gahm. George had 4 nieces and 4 nephews, many of whom considered him a second father. Young friends gravitated to the Gahm household because there was always food, structure, people to play with, another set of engaged parents to support them and more than anything else, love. The Gahm family was always all about inclusion. These individuals remain part of his family.

He is preceded in death by his 3 sisters, Opal Gahm, Marjorie Jagodnik and Geraldine Fabec, as well as his wife’s 2 brothers, Bob and Bill Sayers.

George was born on February 23, 1925 in Trinidad, CO to Joseph and Myrtle Gahm. He enlisted in the army immediately after high school and served in the European theater, 42nd Rainbow Division during World War 2 where he distinguished himself with 2 Bronze Stars, 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and multiple other awards for heroism. He graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Civil Engineering and immediately went back to work for Domenic Leone (highway) Construction where he worked for more than 50 years before retiring in 1990. He received the Colo. Contractors Association Pioneer Award during his tenure with Leone’s.

In 1952, he married Betty Jean Sayers, also from Trinidad, to whom he remained happily married for 62 years as a completely devoted husband. In 1960, the couple and their 4 children moved to Colorado Springs to be closer to work sites, but never really losing his ties to Trinidad. In 2010, they moved to Parker, CO to be closer to family.

His children remember him as a kind, funny, hard-working, dedicated Christian father who encouraged them to pursue their goals and held them to high moral standards (note: Chivalry is not dead!). He often rose to drive to work by 4 AM and did not return home until 9 PM – when he was fortunate enough to be working within 100 miles. For many years, he left early Monday morning and returned late Friday night due to the distance to his job site. Those who worked for him remember him as a hard-working boss who was always in the trenches with them, working as hard as they did and showing everyone respect.

He was a talented tenor in the church choir and always had his family in church on Sundays. George and Betty were early members of Faith Presbyterian Church in Colorado Springs where they raised their family and remained as members for nearly 40 years. When he was close enough to home to come home evenings, he loved acting in church plays and was always entertaining! His turkey gobble was the joy of every child fortunate enough to hear him!

A memorial service is scheduled for June 27, 2015,11 AM at Memorial Gardens, 3825 Airport Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80918. It will be officiated by the Reverend Dan Adams, his long-time pastor and friend from Faith Church. All are welcome to attend and celebrate George's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Disabled American Veterans; www.dav.org, 303-914-5570; or Alzheimer’s Association; www.alz.org, 303-813-1669. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Lincoln Meadows, Parker, CO for the loving care they gave to their father, and continue to give to their mother.