Garrold Dean Houser

Garrold Dean Houser (known as Pewee), 77 years old, of Campo Colorado passed away November 21, 2013 at Springfield, Colorado where he had lived the last several years. He is the eldest son of Elmer Earl and Dorothy Pearl (Rusk) Houser who preceded him in passing from this life. He was born June 22, 1936 on a farm south of Campo, Colorado. He lived in the Campo area his entire life. He is survived by sisters: Nadine Rider and husband, Noble, of Campo, Betty Jones of Littleton, Colorado, Carolyn (Sue) Giadone and husband, Joe, of Parker. His brothers are Gary Houser and wife, Eldonna, of Vilas, Larry Houser and wife, Virginia, of Springfield, Jerry Houser and wife, Nila, of Springfield, Ronnie Houser and wife, Laura, of Elizabeth, and Dennis Houser and wife, Beverly, of Meade, Kansas. Garrold was preceded in death by two sisters: Maxine Bilyeu and Helen Morrow as well as two brothers: Donnie Houser and Terry (Jack) Houser and two brothers-in-law: Everett Bilyeu and Jack Jones, and 4 nieces and nephews. He was Uncle PeeWee to 31 Nieces and Nephews. Even with this number of relatives, he could tell you the day, month, and year you were born, much to the chagrin of some of the women in the family. He was an immense help to his mother during the many years of cooking for broomcorn johnnies. As his nickname suggests, PeeWee was smaller and was often picked on. One story is of Ronnie and Donnie picking on him from the top of a hay stack of bundled feed. Peewee picked up a rock and hit one of them; when he came rolling off the stack, the other one exclaimed “Ya got him.” In later years, Garrold enjoyed gardening and he would always show you the largest vegetables that he had grown. He loved to go fishing with his brother-in-law, Noble and he loved his dog, Indian, (given to him by his niece “Nellie”). He also enjoyed attending church with his sister, Nadine, and on November 26, 1995, he accepted the Lord Jesus as his Savior. He relished visits from family members and their spouses and showed his strength to all the men by proving he could out squeeze in a handshake. PeeWee’s last years were spent at the Southeast Colorado Long Term Care Center where he had a number of jobs that he assigned to himself to help the nursing staff. He loved being able to “keep the staff in line” with the threat: “I’m going to tell my brother, Jerry, on you. He runs this place.” And we loved him. Rest in Peace, PeeWee! As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be given in Garrold’s name to the Southeast Colorado Long Term Care Center (373 E. 10th Ave. Springfield, CO 81073) either directly or through the funeral home.