Trube Shaw Gilkerson passed away November 23, 2017. He was born in Big Stick, WV His service is at 1:00 pm at Imperial Funeral Home.; followed by interment at Imperial Memorial Garden in Pueblo, CO, Friday, December 1. He is preceded in death by his first wife Bonnie Grundmeier in 1976; his last wife Rita Galindo in 2015; and his son Roger in 2002. He is survived by his sister Pauline Thewes of Alexandria, VA, son Robert of Canon City, his grandsons Jeremy (Kelly) Gilkerson of Canon City, Cory Gilkerson of Colorado Springs, and his Daughter-in-law Judy (Roger) Gilkerson of Canon City; along with two great grandsons Reese and Brooks, and two step-daughters Anna (Tom) McArdle of Sparks NV, and Irene Galindo of Pueblo. His passing is a blessing of sorts, and is definitely in a better place because both his body and mind were failing him through the ravages of Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia. As a child growing up in the depression era, 30’s, he was quite the little street hustler selling newspapers, candy, and even condoms on the street. He would even clean up movie theaters in exchange for the spare change he would find. As a young man he saved enough money to buy a gas motor for his bicycle. He joined the Air Force, in the 50’s and served in Arlington TX, and Cheyenne WY, where he met his first wife, Bonnie, on a road trip to Greeley. He spent most of his adult life working at the steel mill in Pueblo, where he repaired electrical motors for over 40 years. I think he was born with wanderlust, as a youth he frequently hitchhiked from his home town of Beckley WV, to Charleston WV. Thorough out his time in the Air Force he would hitchhike across the country to either visit his mother on the east coast or visit his future wife in Colorado. When he was married to his wife, Bonnie, he traveled to both coasts and Mexico with his family. After he retired from the mill, he spent many winters camping in Tucson with his wife Rita, and again drove to both coasts and he even was able to travel to Europe with her. He loved the companionship of small dogs and they loved him. After the vacation he would just sit down on the sidewalk so his dogs could jump all over him and give him kisses. During his winters in Tucson he would walk his dogs into the desert daily. Although he had many vices he was kind and generous to everyone who knew him. He met his last wife Rita when he lent her his car so she could go to a job interview. His family would like to thank the nurses, aides, and staff at Skyline Ridge Nursing Home for their kindness during the last phase of his life. During some of his more lucid moments in memory lane, he loved to play bingo, dance Zumba with the female staff, or play the bongo. Goodbye Dad, you will be missed by everyone who knew you.
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