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The family of Douglas Burge uploaded a photo
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
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Don & Marilyn Freeman posted a condolence
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Eunice,we are very sorry for your loss . . .Doug was special; have a lot of good memories of him.
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Randy, Erin, Veronica, Cole and Brooke Younger posted a condolence
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Dear Miss Eunice and family,We are sorry for your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
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Susan Osborne posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Burge family. I know Mr. Burge will be missed greatly by his wonderful family!
Love, Susan
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Debby Spence posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Dear Eunice, I just heard about Doug. I'm down in Lousiana with my daughter & grandkids, but wish I were there to help in some way . I will try to call, and will get in touch soon as I get back, but my heart goes out to you. You have our love and best wishes. Randy & Debby Spence and family
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Ann Siebert posted a condolence
Monday, January 23, 2012
So sorry for your loss. I've heard a lot about your family from Karl. Thinking of you all.
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Lana Tow posted a condolence
Monday, January 23, 2012
Connie & family, My thoughts & prayers go out to each of you in this sad time. It's very hard to loose a parent. Just know there is comfort in knowing the Lord.
Lana Tow
Frank & Nina Reschke
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Life Story posted a condolence
Friday, January 20, 2012
Douglas Richard Burge eulogy - January 20, 2012
Posted: January 22, 2012 | Last Revised: January 22, 2012
Douglas Richard Burge was born on the family "dirt farm" on June 2, 1932, in Bovina, Colorado. He was a twin, the youngest, and the only son in a family of five children. His mother, Lena, had no idea she was carrying twins and his dad, Harry, was overjoyed to have a son.
In 1937, Doug's family moved to Arriba, where he and his twin sister, Janice, attended all twelve years of school. Doug only lived a block from school but seemed to have trouble getting to school before the bell rang. His friends nicknamed him "Lightening" and the yearbook dubbed him "Slow But Sure". In high school, Doug had fun hunting, playing cards, going to the picture show on Saturday nights, and getting into many great and mischievous adventures with his friends.
During his summers in high school, Doug worked on the railroad and delivered newspapers. After graduation he helped with the construction of the cement elevators in Arriba, Flagler, and Springfield and then went to work in Denver, for Winslow Construction for two years.
Doug was drafted in the United States Army in August of 1952. He served during the Korean War and was stationed at Fort Richardson, Alaska. Doug was trained as welder. He liked to tell of sleeping outside in forty below weather, being in an earthquake, and how beautiful the Northern Lights were at night. Doug was in Alaska for almost two years before coming home to Colorado.
Then Doug went back to work for Winslow Construction for a short time before he and his father purchased the Arriba Super Service and Cabins in February of 1955.
In the spring of 1955, Doug asked Eunice Mae Moffett out to the movies. After that Doug put lots of miles on his car driving back and forth to CU Boulder. Nearly every day Eunice received a letter from Arriba, Colorado. Doug and Eunice were married in the Congregational Church in Boulder, Colorado on April 8, 1957. The wedding was actually postponed for a day, due to a Colorado blizzard, and the groom and best man couldn't get to the church because of a closed highway. (At least that's what they said.)
Doug and Eunice made their home in Arriba, where they were blessed with four children: Gloria, Randy, Connie, and Nancy. Doug and Eunice belonged to a bowling league, played cards, went to parties and dances, and had many good times visiting with friends. In 1969, with the help of local carpenters, they remodeled and built onto the Dell Schrack house and moved into their new home before Christmas. When the Interstate Highway went through, Doug and Eunice built a new station and cafe, moved the motel and added more rooms. They hosted a Grand Opening Celebration in the fall of 1974. The station became a gathering place for locals to have a cup of coffee and shoot the breeze. It also provided many jobs for kids and community members over the years. Doug and Eunice's own children all worked in the family business at one time or another.
A part of the business Doug enjoyed was making trips out to the country to deliver fuel to local farmers. His children fondly remember their dad taking them out on deliveries during the summer, it was a chance to tell stories and watch for the wildlife. During his years at the station, Doug and Eunice had the opportunity to travel with the Husky Oil Company to the Bahamas, Cancun, and Hawaii.
After his children left home, Doug and Eunice visited the kids in college, and attended all their graduations and weddings. He helped move each of his kids, their animals, and "all their stuff" too many times to count. Wherever their kids were, the Western Slope, Denver area, eastern Colorado, or California, Doug and Eunice visited as often as possible. Doug insisted on keeping in touch with his children almost daily, he even had a 1-800 number so the kids could call home for free. During these calls he always wanted to know the price of gas and what the weather was doing.
In the early 1990's, Doug and Eunice converted the cafe into a convenience store where they continued working until 1995. Shortly after that Doug worked part time as a night auditor/desk clerk at the Super 8 Motel and then the Comfort Inn in Limon. He was particularly proud of being able to master using the computer.
He was especially close to his twin sister, Jan. They both lived in the same town all their lives and their families grew up together, sharing birthdays, holidays, and attending sporting events. His nieces and nephews called Doug "Unkey" and they remember pulling on his retractable silver key chain and getting M&M's when they visited the station. Doug felt responsible for his family and extended family and was always there for them.
In 1994, Doug became "Grandpa" with the birth of Gloria's daughter, Abbie. Being a grandpa softened the gruff and rough edges of Doug, but not before accidentally teaching Abbie to swear while watching a Rockies game. Nancy's first son, Reid, was born in 2002. Baby Eric came along in 2005. Grandma and Grandpa wasted no time getting plane tickets west to go see each new grandson. Grandpa taught Abbie to drive, Reid to fish, and Eric to play cards. Abbie loved her rides in the country and watching Gunsmoke with her Grandpa. Grandpa shared his knowledge of the weather with Reid and he and Eric loved to wrestle. And all the kids loved Grandpa's stories. Grandpa had his own unique sayings and vocabulary and over the years all of the kids and grandkids have adopted "Grandpa-isms".
In April 2007, Doug and Eunice celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary with friends and family. That June, their kids, spouses, and grandkids took them on a family trip to South Dakota in honor of their 50 years together.
All his life Doug loved animals. Growing up his family always had several pets running around. When married, Doug and Eunice continued the tradition. When Eunice was nine months pregnant and had three young children at home, much to her surprise, Doug brought home a puppy he had taken in exchange for a tank of gas. Many a stray animal, whether it be dog, cat, or pigeon, found a home with Doug and Eunice.
In his retirement, Doug became very involved with the Arriba Congregational Church and looked forward to playing Bingo at the Senior Center. He loved to sit outside on his porch swing, play cribbage with Eunice, listen to music, and watch Westerns, game shows, and crime dramas on TV. Doug liked to fish, gamble, and was fascinated by the weather. He also loved to coach the Rockies and Broncos from his recliner. Doug was forever trying to grow bigger tomatoes and thoroughly enjoyed a good meal.
Whether you knew him as Douglas, Doug, Dad, Grandpa, or Unkey this man with a larger than life spirit and character has touched our lives. Our memories of him and the stories he told will live on in our hearts forever.
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Betty Wann posted a condolence
Friday, January 20, 2012
Eunice, my deepest Sympathy to you and your family..
Betty
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Monte & Beverly Strode posted a condolence
Friday, January 20, 2012
We pray that our Lord who loves you so dearly, will speak blessings and comfort to you and your families hearts in the coming days.
With our deepest sympathy
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Jeff Covington posted a condolence
Friday, January 20, 2012
Sympathy to the Burge family. I got to know Doug when my mother drove the bus to Arriba for meals, I also got to know him better when he stopped at Wendys for a Frosty. He was a guy you could always visit with he will be missed
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Kathy Whittiker posted a condolence
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Gloria,You are in my thoughts and prayers. We had some 'special' times at the station with your Dad. I hope they make you smile.
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Kathy Whittiker posted a condolence
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Eunice, Randy, Connie and Nancy. Your family has a special place in my heart and many memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Linda Weatherly Moreen posted a condolence
Thursday, January 19, 2012
I am so so very sorry to hear of Dougs passing. You were all so wonderful to me when I needed help the most and I enjoyed working with Doug at the gas station. He was a hoot. I think of all the good times when ever I see the station and to me it will always be Dougs station! Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers and I think of you all often!
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Marianne Johnson posted a condolence
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Eunice and Gloria I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband and father. My Prayers are with you
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Gala Johnson Bowser posted a condolence
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Thoughts and prayers sent your way from our family to yours.
Bud & Sharon Johnson
Jack & Sharon Johnson
Robert & Gala Bowser & family
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Lois Scott posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Eunice and family ~ My thoughts and prayers are with each of you at this sad time with the passing of your loved one. Lois Scott
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Melissa Hay and Family posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult time. Wishing you peace and comfort.
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Jim and Loretta McDonald posted a condolence
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Dear Eunice and Family, We're just so sorry about Doug's passing. We're thinking about you and wishing we could be there for Doug's service.
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Lucille Reimer posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Dear Eunice and family. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you at this time. May God bless each of you with his healing peace.
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Doris Jaques posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Eunice and family,
You are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. Doug is at
peace now.
Love Doris
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Bob & Shirley Coulson posted a condolence
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Our deepest sympathy to you Eunice and your family.
we know Doug is at peace.KKkk
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