Gene Raymond Gruber passed away on December 11, 2014, at the age of 71 at the Littleton Adventist Hospital in Littleton, Colorado, surrounded by those who loved him.

Gene was born on February 2, 1943, in Liberal, Kansas, and moved to Baca County as a young child with his family. Gene graduated from Walsh High School in 1961 and married Linda Miller on February 18, 1966. He enlisted in the Army in 1966 and was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and in Germany before being discharged in 1969.

Gene worked on the family farm for many years before he decided to leave Baca County. Gene and Linda relocated to Midland, Texas, in 1998 where he worked on the oil rigs hauling equipment to the sites He enjoyed the warm weather and his many friends and co-workers in Midland for 10 years until Linda passed away in 2008. In 2010 Gene decided it was time to move closer to his family. He moved back to Colorado and chose Littleton as his home where he had many good friends and neighbors.

Gene is survived by his children, Lori (Jeff) Silverstrand of Lincoln, Nebraska, Gena (Richard) Krantz of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Joey (Tomeka) Gruber of Newport News, Virginia, and 10 grandchildren. He leaves behind a sister, Rosalie Bitner, sister-in-law, Connie (Paul) Connolly, and his father-in-law, Shorty Miller. He also leaves behind his loyal and beloved dogs, Alf and Adolf.

Gene's parents, Ivan and Doris Gruber and wife, Linda, preceded him in death.

Gene will be missed by family and friends.