Obituaries

Obituary: Gene Scritchfield

Gene Scritchfield
May 31, 1970 ~ Oct. 29, 2008
“It only took one ride into base camp on an elk hunt to learn that Gene loved life and his family. He appreciated everything he was blessed with, you could see it in his eyes.”
— Mark White, Sable
Mountain Outfitters’ client
 
Well-known Meeker resident Gene Scritchfield, 38, died tragically Oct. 29, 2008, at Pioneers Hospital following a tractor accident.
Gene was born May 31, 1970, in Delta but was raised in the mountains surrounding Meeker. From the time he was a boy, he helped his grandparents at the Fritzlan’s Guest Ranch where he learned the White River National Forest and Flat Tops Wilderness areas like the back of his weathered hand. He attended Meeker Schools, graduating with the class of 1988.
In September 1989 Gene entered the United States Army. After basic training in South Carolina, he was stationed in Giebelstadt, West Germany, for two years and then proudly served his country during the Persian Gulf War where he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal. After his discharge he lived briefly in Louisiana before returning to Meeker.
Upon returning to Meeker, Gene discovered he shared a common passion for life, horses and the mountains with classmate Ann Marie Nielsen. This led to them purchasing two outfitting businesses to create Sable Mountain Outfitters. Gene was truly a mountain man and greatly admired by his many clients. He had a wisdom and knowledge of the land far beyond his years. He and Ann Marie raised not only horses but cattle and sheep as well. He was proud of his lifestyle but more importantly Gene was proud of his family, his 13-year-old son Mason and his 2-year-old daughter Eva as well as the love of his life, his wife Ann Marie. They lived a dream life every day, a life that was envied by many.
Gene loved his community and was happy to serve in any way he could. He helped 4-H children, fellow ranchers and anyone else who needed a hand. Gene will long be remembered for his horse and wagon rides he offered to many throughout the community. He gave rides to wedding parties, attendees at the Sheep Dog Trials as well as during the Christmas holidays. Gene was honored to use his team and wagon to escort local folks on their last ride to their final resting place.
In addition to Ann Marie and his children, Gene is survived by his parents Mona and Al Avey of Meeker, his grandmother Arlene Fritzlan of Meeker, his brother, Mark and his wife Melody of Meeker, his sister Christi Roady and her husband Dave of Farmington, N.M., step-brother Nathan Avey and his wife Kessie of Big Springs, Texas, his father-in-law Grant Nielsen of Meeker; four aunts, Beverly Bloch of Yorba Linda, Calif., Betsie Thompson of Meeker, Jackie Bissell of Kearney, Neb., and Sandie Fritzlan of Pueblo as well as his great-uncle and fellow outfitter Tom Fritzlan of Rifle. Gene is also survived by numerous cousins, a host of friends and legions of hunters whom Gene guided through the years. He is preceded in death by his grandfather Cal Fritzlan and mother-in-law Pia Bjerregaard.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 11 a.m. at the Sable Mountain Outfitter Corrals at the Marvine Campground upriver. Military honors will be provided by the Fort Carson Army Base Funeral Honor Detail. Those unable to attend the service are invited to join the family at a dinner Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Fairfield Center. A visitation is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Cochran Memorial Chapel.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Mason and Eva Scritchfield Educational Fund through either Mountain Valley Bank or Cochran Memorial Chapel.

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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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2 days ago
View on Instagram |
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3 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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The winning teams and individuals for the 18th annual White River Community Association Buy-Fly Fishing Tournament are as follows. Individual top weight catch was Dave Metrovich and longest fish was Kevin Massey. First place team won by Rio Blanco Abstract: Erik Eckman, Adam Parrett, Dave Metrovich and Wayne Kirkpatrick. Second place team was Drake Consulting: Travis Kaiser, John Douglas, Tony Bartolomucci and Bob Brandeberry. Third place team Mr. Rogers and the Hood (accepted by Doug Rogers) Gary Rogers, Mark Beauchamp, Kyle Schutte and Rick Gunter. The white fish have been frozen and will be served at the annual White River Community Association fish fry fundraiser in June.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
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