Obituary: Alva (Al) R. Wear

Alva R. Wear
June 14, 1921 ~ May 6, 2018

Alva R. Wear died on May 6, 2018, at Larchwood Inn’s in Grand Junction, Colo. Al was born to George and Bessie (Maudlin) Wear June 14, 1921, at a ranch west of Maybell, Colo. Al grew up in the Meeker area and attended Meeker public schools, graduating with the class of 1939. Following high school, he attended two years of college at Ventura, Calif. In 1942 he was drafted into the United States Army during World War II, serving for three and a half years, mainly in the European Theatre. He returned to Meeker where he wheat farmed, worked on ranches, and various jobs for 18 years. He enjoyed horseback riding, hunting and fishing. He was then employed with Greeley Gas Co. for 22 years, helping convert the town from coal and propane to natural gas.
Al enjoyed the musical profession and was an accomplished musician, having played trumpet for dances and other functions for over 65 years. During this time, he played with several different dance bands, mostly Western Colorado. He played professionally with a band in Kansas City and Wichita prior to his military induction. His music preference was classical jazz and Dixieland. Al played Taps for most of the World War I Vets in the Meeker area, as well as some WWII vets.
He was a charter member of the Meeker VFW, a member of the Rio Blanco Masonic Lodge for many years, and a retired member of the Meeker Fire Department.
On May 5, 1962, he was united in marriage to Della Lee McKay. After their job retirements, they moved to Grand Junction in 1989. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Della Lee; son, Wes McKay; sisters, Elinor Anderson, and Mary Villa. He is survived by his daughter, Sandi (Larry) Klein of Grand Junction; brother, retired General George (Betty) Wear; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Military Honors will be held at Highland Cemetery in Meeker, Colo., on Friday, June 1, at 1 p.m. with a light reception to follow at Kilowatt Korner.