Obituary: Bob R. Ary

Bob R. Ary
Sept. 17, 1932~Oct. 26, 2008
Bob R. Ary, 76, of Meeker died Sunday, Oct. 26 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction.
Robert Raymond “Bob” Ary was born to Lloyd and Helen Ary on Sept. 17, 1932, in Walsenburg, Colo. Bob’s father was in the sawmill business so the family moved a great deal throughout Colorado, Wyoming and Missouri.
Bob was graduated from high school in Thayer, Mo. He was inducted into the United States Army in 1953, his training was in Ft. Belvoir, Va., as a heavy equipment mechanic. He was stationed in Korea for one and a half years.
In October 1958 he was united in marriage to Marlyn Lee of Hayden. They were married for 50 years. He is survived by three children, Robert of Meeker; Brenda and her husband Frank Green of Beulah, N.D. Gene and his wife Arwyn of Flower Mound, Texas; six grandchildren, Tim and Amanda Green of Beulah, N.D., Robert Ary of Grand Junction, Colo., Misty Ary of Meeker, Colo., Max and Sam Ary of Flower Mound, Texas, and one great-grandchild, Hayley Rippy of Meeker. He is also survived by two brothers, Bill and his wife Carol of Lakewood, Colo., Cliff and his wife Kay of Ridgeway, Colo.; two sisters, Shirley Ary of Longmont, Colo. and Sharon Ozbun of Longmont, Colo.; one sister-in-law, Barbara Kowach and her husband Jim of Craig and his mother-in-law Lorene Lee of Hayden. Bob is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins aunts and uncles.
Bob spent several years as a mechanic and station operator when he arrived in Meeker. He worked for Consol Coal as an exploratory driller. In 1976 he began working for Colowyo Coal Company from which he retired as a maintenance supervisor.
Bob was active in the community; he belonged to the JayCee’s when he first arrived in Meeker. He sat on the city council, and most recently he was doing his part in the recycling effort. Bob’s hobbies included collecting and reading books on the history and geology of this area. He also collected rocks, coins, belt buckles and watch fobs.
Bob enjoyed fishing, spending time in his garage separating trash from recyclable material and being with family and friends.
A time to share with Bob’s family will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Cochran Memorial Chapel in Meeker. Inurnment of the cremated remains will be held at a later date in the Highland Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be Tim Green, Amanda Green, Bob Ary, Misty Ary, Max Ary, Sam Ary and Hayley Rippy.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Meeker Historical Society in Bob’s name. Contributions can be made through Cochran Memorial Chapel which has been entrusted with the arrangements.