George Field

George W Field, Jr passed away on Sunday, February 17, 2013, in Aurora, Colorado.
He was born in Las Animas, Colorado on April 23, 1935, to George W. Sr and Edna Field. He is survived by his wife, June, residing in Aurora, son Mark Field of Craig Colorado and his wife Vicky, Michelle Field and her spouse Michael Stuehm of Aurora, Mark's four children Hilary, Kevin and his wife Jessica, Chris and Natalie and her husband Rob and Michelle's children Briana and Brenton. George also is survived by three great-grandchildren, Briana's son Tristan, Natalie's son Robbie and Kevin's daughter Lily. He was predeceased by daughter Stephanie, born and died in July 1964.
George was the eldest of four. His three sisters also survive him; Thelma Turner, Papillion, NE, Retha Huff, Rocky Ford and Patsy Colclazier, Lamar. They were raised in Las Animas with some time spent on a farm in the Westcliffe area. He graduated from Bent County High School in 1953 after participating in football, wrestling and track. He then attended Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. This is where he meet and fell in love with June Bertorello.
They eloped to Raton, New Mexico on May 6, 1955. George joined the Navy and received Aviation Electronics training from 1955 to '58. He also instructed others in swimming while stationed in Oklahoma. June moved with him when he was transferred to Jacksonville, Fl. He has told the family many stories of flying and diving while in the Navy.
Son Mark was born in Jacksonville in September of 1956. They soon returned to Gunnison for George to continue his education. He graduated in 1961 with majors in Business Admin, Industrial Ed, and Recreation and minored in Education and Physics. He worked for Safeway while attending college in various management positions.
Michelle was born in January of 1960 in Montrose. His job with Safeway took them to Petaluma, California in 1961, only to return to Montrose in 1963. At which time he began to teach Industrial Arts for Montrose Junior High. During his 6 years there he also coached football and wrestling. In 1969, after obtaining his Master's in Education and Psychology, he moved to Montrose High School as the Special Education instructor and Coordinator of the program. He refereed wrestling on the western slope for 17 years.
In 1978 George became the director of the BOCES program in Montrose which included grant writing and management. This position took June and George to Garden City, Kansas where they spent two years. After which they settled to Aurora and at this time he returned to the classroom and taught Special Education at East High School. He retired from Denver Public Schools in 1998.
George was very active in politics and attended the Democratic National Convention for Jimmy Carter. He ran for the CU Board of Regents as well as the Colorado Education Association President. He served as the Chairman of the Colorado Advisory Council to the Dept. of Labor and Employment, which was a gubernatorial appointment from 1976 to '84. He was the Vice-Chairman of the Colorado Building Authority from 1980 to '84. He was very involved with juvenile diversion programs and with western slope Viet Nam Veterans who were victims of Agent Orange.
Summer jobs while he was teaching included a radio announcer, manager of the local swimming pool where he continued to dive, and director of the Pop Warner Football program.
After retiring George remained very involved in his family's lives which included attending as many of his grandchildren's football, baseball and volleyball games, wrestling and swimming meets and cheerleading competitions.
George took great pride and joy in his family.
A Memorial Service was held at Horan & McConaty on Colorado Blvd on Friday, February 22, 2013.
His wishes to have his remains spread in the San Juan Mountains close to Montrose as well as close to his parent's final resting place in Las Animas will be fulfilled this summer by his family.
Well wishes may be sent to his daughter Michelle Field at 5063 S Gold Bug Way, Aurora, Co 80016.