Jan. 14, 1937 ~ Feb. 8, 2022
Henry Philip (Phil) Widmer, born Jan. 14, 1937, in Abilene, Texas, to Henry Philip and Sarah Francis (Blain) Widmer, passed away peacefully at Rangely District Hospital in Rangely, Colorado, after a brief illness on Feb. 8, 2022. Phil is survived by his children Kathye S. (Widmer Burke) Zobell of Rangely and John P. (Marjorie) Widmer of Rifle, Colorado; grandsons Christopher Burke of Rangely and Elliott Burke of Grand Junction; and great-grandsons Connor and Avery. He is preceded in death by his parents, loving wife of 62 years Barbara, sister Sarah (Widmer) O’Donoghue, and granddaughter Jessica M Widmer.
Phil and Barbara were originally from Texas. The two were high school sweethearts and married on August 2, 1957. After graduating high school, Phil served in the National Guard while attending seminary at McMurray College in Abilene, Texas, graduating in 1957. He ministered at several churches in the Paducah area and performed flight services for local farmers. Barbara tended to their two children. Outside the home she assisted with the education of special needs children and managed church activities.
In 1977, the family moved to Rangely, Colorado, where Phil accepted the position of Director of Aviation at Colorado Northwestern Community College followed by performing the duties of FAA Examiner for Western Colorado and Eastern Utah until his retirement in 2015. Barbara found her calling in insurance and public service. She served many years on the Rangely Town Council while owning and operating Rangely Insurance Group, Inc., until her death in 2019.
Phil enjoyed flying, camping/fishing, and being a crew chief on his son’s drag racing team, Buttnugget Racing. Barbara spent her leisure hours caring for her yard and flower garden or enjoying a good book in the solace of their back porch. No formal services are being planned by the family and in lieu of flowers, John and Kathye prefer donations to a charity or local program of your choice in their parents’ names.
