RANGELY | This week’s “home of” honoree is longtime Rangely resident Bluford “Blu” Halcomb. Blu was born in Headrick, Okla., June 6, 1927. He has lived in Rangely since 1961. Blu thought he was a big time fighter until he met his ultimate opponent, his wife Bonnie. Blu and his wife Bonnie will celebrate 62 years of marriage July 5.
Blu worked for Colorado Well Services for many years until he and his friend Frank Hejl started their own business in 1979, Blu-H Well Services. Blu bought Frank out and recently sold the business.
Blu served in the army as a medic and was a great sharp shooter.
Blu volunteered to crawl under a rig and extinguish a rig fire similar to Red Adair, the noted oil well firefighter, who was portrayed by John Wayne in the “Hellfighters” movie.
Blu has seven children: daughter Brenda Fairchild and husband Rob of Fruita have a son Chad and daughter CeGree; son Steve Halcomb, his wife Kim and son Shilo and daughters Sheena, Rachel, and Shala live in Meeker; daughter Debbie Chaffee, husband Jim Chaffee and daughters Haley and Lyndee reside in Arvada; son Alvin Halcomb, wife Glenda Halcomb and son Justin, Brandon and Alex live in Rangely; son Jerry Halcomb, wife Lisa Halcomb and sons Evan and Clay also of Rangely; son Ronnie Halcomb, wife Cindy and sons Travis and Nick of Fruita and daughter Jackie Huckins, husband Terry Huckins and daughter Cami of Morrison.
One of his true loves is for his dogs, currently he has Diesel and Radar. His most beloved dog was Dudley.
Blu loves to fish, golf, hunt, enjoys good deals and working in the oil fields. According to his family, “if he could have, he would have slept at the rigs.” Along with fishing he enjoyed hand-fishing (noodling) for catfish in the rivers.
What Blu likes most about living in Rangely are his family, friends and his business.
Blu on occasion has referred to himself as “the nicest man in Rangely.” Happy 85th birthday Blu — “the nicest man in Rangely.”