Obituary of Douglas Burge

Douglas Richard Burge age 79 of Arriba, Colorado passed away Monday, January 16, 2012 at the Lincoln Community Hospital in Hugo, Colorado. He was born to Harry and Lena (Klatt) Burge on June 2, 1932 in Bovina, Colorado. When Doug was just a small boy his family moved to Arriba and he graduated from Arriba High School in 1950. During high school Douglas worked summers for the railroad. After graduation he helped build the cement elevators in Arriba, Flagler, and Springfield, and worked for Winslow Construction in Denver, Colorado. Douglas was drafted in the United States Army in August of 1952. He served during the Korean Conflict, stationed at Fort Richardson in Alaska. He was honorably discharged in October of 1954 earning the rank of Corporal (E-4). He also served another six years in the U.S. Army Corps Reserves until 1960. On April 8, 1957, Douglas was united in marriage to Eunice M. Moffett at the Congregational Church in Boulder, Colorado. They shared over fifty-four years of marriage. To this union was born four children: Gloria, Randy, Connie, and Nancy. He went into business in 1955 with his father, purchasing the Arriba Super Service; a gas station, tank wagon service and motel located on Highway 24. In 1974, when Interstate 70 was built Douglas and Eunice relocated the Arriba Super Service, adding a restaurant and more motel rooms. They ran the business along with their children for a total of 40 years. Then from 1996 to 2006, Douglas worked as a night auditor/desk clerk at the Super 8 and Comfort Inn hotels in Limon. Douglas was a member of the Arriba Congregational Church and served as a Vice Moderator and Deacon for several years. He also served on the Arriba School Board, the Arriba Town Board, and was a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed fishing, the Western Channel, cribbage, gambling, bingo at the Arriba Senior Center, sitting on his porch swing, traveling with his family, watching the weather, and telling stories to his children and grandchildren. Douglas will be greatly missed and his larger than life spirit and character will continue to live on forever… Douglas is survived by his wife Eunice of Arriba; three daughters, Gloria Mitchell (Mark) of Strasburg, Colorado, Connie Burge of Aurora, Colorado and Nancy Burge (James Blevins) of Chatsworth, California; one son, Randall Burge (Kathy) of Northglenn, Colorado; one sister, Harriet James of Sebastopol, California; three grandchildren; Abbie Mitchell, Reid and Eric Blevins; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; Harry and Lena and three sisters; Phyllis Gibbs, Louise Chiles, and his twin sister Janice Whittiker.