Gene Gurley passed away on February 23, 2011 at a nursing home in Alamosa, Colorado. He was born January 1, 1954 in Pratt County Hospital to Leo and Marjorie Gurley. He lived a short time on a farm near Sawyer, Kansas and, when he was 7 months old, the family moved to a farm southeast of Vona, Colorado. Due to medical and social difficulties, which Gene experienced in childhood, he was placed in a facility in Pueblo, Colorado at the age of 13.



Over the years, Gene also lived in Monte Vista and Alamosa, building friendships with both peers and counselors every place he went and approaching life actively and enthusiastically. His face always carried a smile and he was happy to see his loved ones. When Gene was in Vona, he also enjoyed visiting Merl Ford and Leslie and Dorothy Tanner, as well as his family, never forgetting a connection from the past. He had a strong sense of humor and loved recalling stories of past orneriness. Each card or letter sent to him by his family members was proudly displayed, alongside their pictures in Genes room. Gene also loved the Lord and could recite the Lords Prayer by heart.



Gene is preceded in death by his father and his brother, Keith. He is survived by his mother, his brothers Larry, Joe and wife Jane, Don and wife Becky, sister Kathy Hildebrandt and husband Ken, nephews, Todd Gurley, Jeremy Gurley, Justin and Curtis Hildebrandt, nieces Lori Barnett, Jennifer and Jolene Gurley, Tami Calvez and husband Jo, Traci Gurley, and Kristen Hildebrandt, great nephews Tanner, Camden, Carson, Alex, Tristan and Keegan and nieces Amber, Morgan and Madeline.


Visitation will be held Sunday Feb 27, 2011 beginning at 4 pm until 6pm


Graveside services will be held Monday Feb 28, 2011 at 11:00 AM in the Vona Cemetery Vona Colorado