Charles David "Happy" Foote

CHARLES DAVID 'HAPPY' FOOTE Funeral services for lifelong Cortez resident Charles David Foote will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 2 at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at the Nucla Cemetery. A visitation has been scheduled at 8 a.m. prior to the service Monday morning. Happy was born on January 29, 1919 in Ackman, Colo. the son of Willie Cleaveland and Myrtle (Pigg) Foote. He passed away on Thursday, April 28, 2005 at the Vista Grande Nursing Home at the age of 86. There were 14 children in Happy’s family and he was one of nine that served in the military. Happy was inducted into the U.S. Army on July 12, 1944 at Fort Leavenworth, Kans. He proudly served his country during World War II. He was a member of the First Calvary Division and was part of the first group who entered into Tokyo after the surrender. He received the Bronze Star Medal for his achievement in ground combat. He was honorably discharged on February 4, 1946 at Fort MacArthur, Calif. Happy returned to Cortez and went to work as a Line Superintendent for Empire Electric for many years. During his leisure time, he enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as hunting rocks and arrowheads. He was also a member of the Mancos Chamber of Commerce. Surviving Happy are his two sons, Charlie Foote, Jr. of Olathe, Colo. and Ralph Foote of Cortez. He leaves six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; and six siblings. Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Ruth Eloise (Hall) Foote; his children, Gene Foote and Eileen Foote; and 8 siblings.