Joseph Albert Urban, age 65, passed away Friday, May 9, 2014, at his home in Mack, Colorado, after a courageous battle with COPD.
Joseph was born to Joseph Adam and Margaret Mollendor Urban on Nov. 6, 1948, in Denver, Colorado. He was one of six children. He attended schools in Denver, and graduated from high school in Iliff, Colorado.
He was in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971. He served in Vietnam with the 9th Infantry Division Recon, walking point for eight months, from July 1969 to July 1970. He had nine medals and several presidential commendations, including the Purple Heart.
He was previously married three times, each ending in divorce or death. He was married to Jody Platv Urban at the time of his death.
He was a very talented man. He had owned his own construction business building houses, his own wood business, had done taxidermy, had worked for sheet metal research in California, doing a special job for Walt Disney. He enjoyed restoring vehicles and really enjoyed his motorcycles.
Joseph and Jody traveled a lot in their motor home with Jake, the faithful dog.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, John Urban and Larry Urban.
Joe is survived by his wife Jody, of Mack; a son, Joe (Crystal) Tabor of Texas; a daughter, Tina Smith; three sisters, Margaret (Don) Stockly of Denver, Linda Keator of Boise, Idaho and Donna Jackson of Keota, Oklahoma; grandchildren and a great-grandchild. He is also survived by: his aunt Rose and uncle Ed Dreher; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and special friends Gart Hamley of Texas, and Johny Garnon of Black Hawk, Colorado.
Funeral Mass will be said today, Thursday, May 15, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Christian Church in Rangely, Colorado, 501 Darius St. Friends and family may call at the church one hour prior to the services.
Burial will be in the Dinosaur Cemetery with military honors provided by the American Legion. Services have been entrusted to the care of Blackburn Meeker, Rangely and Vernal Mortuaries, www.blackburnvernalmortuary.com.
