Roy Eugene Couey

On June 29, 1939 A boy was born to Roy Eugene and Mary Sue Casey Couey in Rifle Colorado, Eventually With a large family of siblings (Arlene, Patricia, Carol, Micki and Vanessa) being raised during an era of Turmoil, His Father just out of the US Calvary in 39 went to work in the Ship yards on the West Coast and In 1942 joined the US Navy Seebees. From his father Dad learned mechanics, work Ethics, how be a mechanic and respect. His love of vehicles lead him to build several cars and trucks during the years. While working in Moab Utah in a Uranium mine in the spring of 1960 Dad met Gitta Crawford who had 3 children, Christy, Patrick (Rick) and Terry who would eventually become my Brothers and Sister. Just like Siblings we argued and fought over anything and everything. But during this time frame never did dad ever say those are yours or these are mine. Raising with 5 children ( Christy, Rick, Terry, Mary and myself) such a big family We were a family complete in every sense of the word. We were all treated as equals. Dads love of the mountains and the wild west caused us to move a lot over the years. Always wanting to get back to the mountains where he grew up. It was during my early years in these transitions that I started spending time with dad and going to work with him in the summer months during summer school vacation. I learned and heard a lot of stories from dad, it was during one of these work days that he mentioned and has since over the years he was in the wrong era always referring to the old west, but always said he would never change a thing with the family. Dad was always gone most of the time early morning and came back late evening always trying to provide what he thought was the best for the family. As we grew older we spent less time with each other, but he did say something that has stuck with me over the years was that his only regret was not spending more time with the family like throwing ball and or doing normal family activates. Not that he didn't when he was home, but he did spend a lot of time working and trying to provide what he never had. When we took family vacations together it was always to places like Canada, Yellowstone, camping, Fishing, and trips to the Mountains. During all of this dad always took the time For Christy, Rick and Terry to visit their Grandmother and uncles regardless of anything. My Memories of these days were always happy and exciting visiting Uncle George and Grandma Crawford in Grand Junction. He always took the time when going through Dove Creek where Mom first husband (Roy Neal Crawford) was buried for mom to lay flowers at his resting spot. There was no separation in family lines here we were all one big family. To this day they are still family. Growing up I never knew anything was different about my brothers and sister. He raised us to respect each other and treat each other with respect. Lines are blurred a lot when we are children but as I grew older I never noticed anything different in our treatment of each other or from him. Dad never did show much emotion while I was growing except when discussing all the kids in the family and his Grand children of their accomplishments, pride showed in his face and voice. Dads love of family really hit me when his father and mother passed away, it is the first time I had ever seen him shed a tear. He told me during this time frame that we must always be strong for the family during these times and do what we must no matter what. I think that this is the hardest thing to do thinking back. I never realized how much I was like him till now. Over the years as dad got older and was restricted more from doing what he wanted he retreated back to his Books (louis Lamoure) was his favorite of the old west. Spending hours reading and remembering his Days on the ranch in Rifle and of his father and mother and family. He only mentioned it in passing, but You could tell it weighed heavy on his mind. We would talk a lot on this subject during my visits. We started to discuss history a lot more when I stated restoring my jeep and he enjoyed coming and talking with me at the car shows. He talked about the cars that he worked on for the family and how to work on mine and what I should do and how. When I was there doing tasks for him he was always there telling how to do it and when I messed something up. Always the foreman. He always knew what he wanted and how to get it done. Even during his last days he always talked about family and always mentioned my mother making us promise to take care of her no matter what. He thought more of her and us and the troubles he was putting us thru. Dads legacy is not what he wanted or tried to do or what people think. It lives in all of us, how he raised Us and how we act and how we treat others and our family. With Respect for each other and love for our family, heritage and our country. There was no division in our family. We were all equal in his eyes and he was always proud of everyone And what they accomplished in life. Even if we made mistakes he never rubbed it in, we learned and moved on as dad has moved on in life as in death. He is finally home in the mountains riding off into the sunset like all the stores that he told me and all the books that he read. Dads final ride may be here, but the ride continues for the rest of us as we add to his story and our whole family. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Blackburn Vernal Mortuary. Viewings, Tuesday 6-8 pm and Wednesday 1 hour prior to services. Burial in the Vernal Memorial Park Military Honors from the American Legion.