YOUR AD HERE »

Clarence Babcock, 1946-2017

Clarence Babcock
052117_Babcock_obit

Clarence Babcock

1946­ – 2017

God called Clarence Ethan Babcock (known to many as “Hot Shot”) up to be another warrior in Heaven on May 13, 2017 due to an aggressive battle with lung disease.

He was born August 20, 1946 to Clarence and Laverne Babcock in Oak Creek, Colorado. He was the first born of seven children. There are many very loving memories of all the kids growing up on a ranch seven miles outside of Oak Creek on Trout Creek. He graduated from SoRoCo (South Routt County) High School in Oak Creek, Colorado in 1966, immediately enlisting in the Army for a three year term. He left the military serving honorably decorated with the National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal. In January 1970, he met his soul mate Marolyn Ann Gemaehlich in Denver, Colorado and they were married on June 28 in Holyoke, Colorado.

After living in Holyoke for a few years and having their first daughter, they moved back to Oak Creek, Colorado where they made their home. He began working in 1974 for the Pittsburg & Midway Edna Coal Mine as a coal car dropper for the coal trains. Two years later he and Marolyn had their second daughter. While providing for his family and raising his two daughters, he continued to work at the coal mine for a total of 22 1⁄2 years. Throughout the years he worked as a mechanic, operating a number of large heavy machinery such as the drag line, along with dozer work reclaiming the land after mining coal. Shortly after the mine closed down, Clarence and Marolyn relocated to Windsor, Colorado. He worked a number of various jobs before landing a position with the Windsor Parks & Rec Center.

Throughout his life, Clarence prided himself as a handy man. He enjoyed fixing lawn mowers in the summer months, splitting wood in the fall and plowing snow in the winter months along with other things like building decks and fixing cars. He seemed to always look for something to fix or build. His hands showed the proof of his hard work, always stained with the remembrance from coal or working with tools, machinery and wood. Maybe it was more of a hobby to stay busy or just to help someone in need, as he was a generous man. Even after his passing, he has continued to help a number of people in multiple ways by donating his body now that he is present with the Lord. More than anything, spending time with family and friends meant a lot to him. He graciously served the Lord by being an active member of the church from being an elder to a financial secretary.

Clarence is survived by his wife Marolyn, two daughters, Gail (Jim) and Jill (Jay), four grandchildren (Sara, Tyler, Mandi, Will), brother Tim (Laurel) Babcock, sister Barb (Jerry) Ahrens, brother Don (Darlene) Babcock, brother Bill (Elizabeth) Babcock, sister Debbie Townsley, sister-­in-­law Cammy Hammond, Aunt Jane Babcock, Aunt Helen Alvarez, many nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Laverne Babcock, brother James “Decker” Babcock and other extended relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a contribution be considered towards a memorial for Clarence. A bench will be purchased and placed in the cemetery with his name on it. Make Checks Payable to: Marolyn Babcock, care of Bank of Colorado 1041 Main Street, Windsor, Colorado 80550.

A celebration of life will be held at the Evangelical Free Church of Windsor 700 Pine Drive; Windsor, Colorado 80550 on Friday, May 26 at 10:00 a.m. with burial service following at the Lakeview Cemetery 32815 Hwy 257 Windsor Colorado at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow back at the church.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around Steamboat and Routt County make the Steamboat Pilot & Today’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.