Roger Alan Gailus

Roger Alan Gailus was born April 7, 1944 in Yuma, Colorado to Carl and Lois (Wheeler) Gailus.  Roger had a brother Donald and a sister Carol.  His parents resided at the family farm north of Otis.  He graduated from Otis High School in 1962 in which he was active in Basketball and FFA.

Besides helping his father Carl on the farm he held positions with Burgess Well Service, and Ford Garage on Main Street.  In 1965 he decided to enlist in the Air Force and served with the 413th Medical Service in Colorado Springs, Colorado.  Before being discharged in 1971 he attained the rank of Staff Sargent.

During this time he met his wife Chris and they were married in March of 1968 at the Chapel on Lowery Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado.  Later in their marriage two children were born, Stacy Marie and Jeffrey Alan. 

In February of 1980 they moved to their new home just 2½ miles east of the homestead where Roger grew up.  Roger farmed and raised cattle with his dad Carl and taking over the farm when his dad passed in 1982.  Roger would help Rodney and Dianna Monk during the spring and fall.  Roger and Chris were contract meter readers for YW for many years making for a busy few couple days each month. Roger then began working at Farmers Implement Company for almost 30 years until he retired to the farm.  Roger continued helping and teaching his son Jeff on the farm with repairs or maintenance and “little projects” Jeff would ask him to do to keep him out and about. 

Roger enjoyed spending time with his only Grandchild, Emmalee Kate. Emmalee recalls having Grandpa help her with wood working project in 4H in which she won Grand Champion at the Washington County Fair and also shown at the Colorado State Fair.

Roger enjoyed bowling and helped his parents when they owned C & L Lanes in Yuma.   Roger bowled on leagues in Yuma and later in Sterling.  He was on a few different teams, but had longtime teammates such as Norbert Klein, Glen Trute and Gerland Klein.  This love for bowling carried onto son Jeff as he also joined the team.  Jeff brought his dad along reluctantly one day a couple years after Roger had a heart attack and was convinced he could no longer bowl after being out of bowling for that time.  When they arrived at the alley, Jeff handed him a pair of shoes and a bowling ball, Roger threw two warm up balls both were strikes and Jeff told him “you still got it.”  This was the start of  the two of them being doubles partners for Colorado State tournament in which Jeff and his dad won 6th in State.  He also went to National Bowling in Reno, Nevada several times with his son.  

Roger entered into rest at his home after being called by the Lord on March 9, 2022.  He is survived by his wife Chris, daughter Stacy and husband Daniel of Loveland, Colorado, son Jeff and wife Sherra and granddaughter Emmalee of Otis, Colorado, sister Carol and husband Bruce of Kersey.

Roger will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. Memorial Service – Friday March 18, 2022 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yuma, Colorado at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Dennis FitzPatrick officiating.  Inurnment followed at the Yuma Cemetery.  Baucke Funeral Home directed the service.