Herbert Eugene "Gene" Rich

HERBERT EUGENE 'GENE' RICH Funeral services for lifelong Cortez resident, Gene Rich will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 20 at the Lifeway Baptist Church with Pastor Neely Lewis officiating. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Military graveside services will be provided by the Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Visitation has been set for Monday morning from 10 a.m. to noon at the Ertel Chapel. Gene was born April 11, 1935 in Dolores, the son of Bird Sam and Mabel Inez (Taylor) Rich. He passed away on December 13, 2004 at the New Mexico Heart Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M. at the age of 69. For years Gene has played music at various events with such groups as the Apple Shed Gang, Memory Makers and Home Grown and One. He also enjoyed being a part of the Good Sam Camping Group; but most importantly, he loved his time spent with his grandchildren. Surviving Gene are his wife, Rose (Bradshaw) Rich of Cortez; his children, Kristi Muller and husband, Jim Bob of Cortez, Greg Rich of Farmington, N.M., and Debra Miller and husband, Jack of Independence, Mo; his daughter-in-law, Leanne Rich of Cortez; his eight grandchildren, Caina Miller, Kealey and Ryan Rich, Jalen and Jace Muler, Phillip Miller, Stace Cottrell, and Malissa Miller; and numerous great grandchildren. His brothers, Alfred Rich and wife, Joyce of Mt. Shasta, Calif. and Clarence Rich and wife, Nancy of Dacono, Colo.; and sisters, Lucille Prine of Chula Vista, Calif., Christine Olive of El Cajon, Calif., Lorna Bates and husband, Harry of Wasilla, Alaska, and Dorothy Starr and husband, Bud of Wasilla, Alaska also survive Gene. He was preceded in death by his son, Rodney Rich in December 1998; and his sister, Vivian Pearson. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Gene Rich with Madison House, 120 S. Madison Avenue, Cortez, Colo. 81321