Eugene "Gene" Robert Bode

Eugene Robert Bode was known by all who loved him as Gene. He was born on December 16, 1936 to Henry and Mary Bode in Elgin, Nebraska. Gene was the youngest of nine children including Orlandes, Eva, Ewald, Bernadetta, Elizabeth (Betty Lou), Bernetha Ann, Henry and Donna.

Gene's dad, Henry, died when Gene was only three years old. The family stayed in Nebraska until Gene had finished second grade at which time older brother Orlandes moved them to Colorado. Gene went to school in Bear Creek for two years and the family then moved to Eldorado Springs, Colorado in the summer of 1947.

School was a one-room building that was a mile and a half from the Bode home. Rain or shine, he walked to school. The only teacher was Laura Charsebro and she taught all of the grades at the school. There were usually 20 to 30 students. No plumbing meant that an outhouse served for toilet purposes. Drinking water was fetched by the oldest male student from the closest ranch about a quarter of a mile from the school.

Gene was in charge of getting water, coal and wood when he was in the 8th grade. He was paid 10 cents a day. "Big money!" he laughed. He remembered that he got the hat and boots he wears riding his appaloosa horse in the picture on his memorial.

Gene learned to ride horses helping rancher Ed Hogan with his horse String during the summers. Mr. Hogan rented horses to the public for riding at $1 per hour. Gene learned to ride and although he was not paid for the work he did, he enjoyed it and felt he learned a great deal doing it.

Gene's fondest memories were riding horses and getting bucked off of cattle. He said that getting bucked off into the cow s##t was "lots of fun!"

Eldorado Springs was a resort town. Gene said that after 8th grade he began working seven days a week, 10 hour days for $15 per week. He recalled spending two weeks wages for a pair of bright green cowboy boots. Ray Andrews hired Gene to work for him. He was undersheriff but had several business ventures. Gene worked for him for three summers starting at $30 a week and ending up at $45 a week!

Gene graduated from Boulder High School in 1955. He saved $50 working and bought his first car, a 1940 Chevy coupe. He joined the labor union and worked at several places. That first car was wrecked during a snow storm in March.

Bill Fidler and William (Bubby) Roberson were Gene's best friends in his youth. They had a clubhouse (No girls allowed!) and Gene said that he began smoking in the 8th grade. Bubby had his own horse and Gene had a borrowed one. They worked rounding up cattle and horses. He recalled riding alongside passenger trains and pretending to be outlaws with his buddies. Gene's nickname which few knew outside of family was Frog!

In those days the boys carried handguns. Gene had a .22 and Bubby had a .38. One day they went into the house and Bubby's sister Mary was sitting in a chair. Bubby thought his gun was unloaded and aimed toward her feet and pulled the trigger. He shot a hole in the floor between her feet.

Bubby got a whipping from his Dad and Bubba never carried again after that. Bubby was four years older than Gene

He took Gene to see Hank Williams in Denver in 1952. Bubba became a cancer doctor and Gene became  a mechanic, Gene married Claudete Langley on August 24, 1959.  He was drafted into the Army on October 21, 1959.  Greg was born on December 3, 1961 at Fort Carson.  Gene was discharged from the Army on February 8, 1962.  Kirk was born May 28, 1964 in Boulder.

In 1956, Gene went to work for the Denver Water Board in a part time position that lasted 30 years. He learned to drive trucks and other heavy equipment during that tenure. Gene retired from the Water Board in 1992.

Gene and Claudette lived in the Bailey area and made many friends there, Gene had many fond memories of the people there and of the good times he had hunting and living there. Claudette passed away on May 27, 1996 in Penrose, Colorado.

Gene married Sue Wright on April 12, 1997. She passed away on February 26, 2000.

He married Juanita Sue (Mills) Willyard on April 2, 2005 in Penrose, Colorado. They shared over 20 years together as best friends. She was by his side when he passed just as she was by his side for their many happy years together.

Gene is survived by his wife, Juanita as well as his son, Greg (Robin) Bode. He is also survived by his brother Hank (Rosemary) Bode from Denver. There are several grandchildren as well: Callie (Derek) Martinez, Rachel (Ben) Evans, josh (Olivia) Bode, Carter and Alex Bode. His great grandchildren include Wyatt, Gwen, Clyde, Clarice, and Georgie Martinez, Jethro and Chloe Evans, Eve and Eli Bode. There are many nieces and nephews who will certainly miss Uncle Gene. He was preceded in death by his son Kirk on June 21, 2007.

Gene truly loved Juanita's children as his own. He will be missed by Samantha (Cory) Hinson, Jessica Mills, Daniel Willyard and Cassandra (Trisha) Sugiyama. Step-grandchildren include Harley, Cheyenne, Cody, Juanita and Lona Hinson; Cierra and Athena Mills; step-great grandson Carlisle (C.).) Mills.

Gene valued many dear friends including Bob and Jeannie Neville, Ed and Glo Keller, Jerry and Roberta Hazel, Lee and Pam Daffron, Allen and Bonnie Eos, Les and Carol Wilson, John and Leona Duncan and Roger Jensen/Marilyn Stang. He enjoyed his Two Sister's Breaktast Club greatly.

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