Gene Russel Arehart

Longtime Boulderite Gene Russel Arehart passed away in his Eldorado Springs home on June 14

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, 2018. He was 87.

Born January 20

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, 1931 in Stratton, NE to parents Ralph Eugene Arehart and Edith Demaris (neè Layton) Arehart, Gene lived a childhood affected by both the Great Depression and World War Two. His family followed what few opportunities existed in places like McCook, NE and Wichita, KS, ultimately landing in Greeley, CO just in time for Gene’s senior year. He graduated from Greeley High School in 1949, then traveled north to work as a ranch hand in Wyoming. Uncle Sam then drafted Gene into the United States Army, but he chose the Navy instead, serving on the crew of the destroyer U.S.S. Laffey during the Korean Conflict. After his service, Gene was a member of the U.S.S. Laffey Organization. On October 26th, 1955, Gene married Inez Ramona “Mona” Junietta Lindall in Raton, NM. Gene’s educational path continued in Greeley, where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado, and culminated in Boulder, where Gene added a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Colorado in June of 1962. As the Arehart family grew with the additions of two children, Karen and Kent, Gene’s career as a newspaper manager thrived. He worked for the Wall Street Journal and Detroit News before retiring in Boulder in 1984. He came out of retirement to return to the printed-press business at the Anchorage Times, coming back to Boulder years later. Gene served on the board at Atonement Lutheran, enjoyed travel with Mona until her health prevented it, cherished his time with friends at Gourmet (later Potluck) Club and golf, loved to hike, and attended C.U. football games for decades as a season-ticket holder and former player.

Gene is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mona, who died July 14

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, 2016 in Boulder. He is survived by his sister, Shirley Jacoby, of Greeley, CO; his son, Kent Arehart, of Boulder, CO; his daughter, Karen McHugh (husband, Paul Woolsey), of White Rock, NM; his grandchildren, Sara and Mike McHugh, of Denver, CO; as well, Gene and Mona had four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will take place Monday, June 25

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, 10:30 AM, at Atonement Lutheran Church (685 Inca Parkway, Boulder 80303). The Arehart family thanks you for your kind thoughts and comforting prayers.