Luther T. Waterland

L.T. “CURLEY” WATERLAND Funeral services for former Dove Creek resident L.T. “Curley” Waterland will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 3 at the First Baptist Church in Dove Creek. Interment will follow at the Dove Creek Cemetery. L.T. passed away at his home in Grand Junction, Colo. on Monday, October 30, 2006 at the age of 74. He was born to Luther and Kate Waterland on April 23, 1932 in Camp Crook, S.D. Curley was raised by his father from the age of two because his mother died during child birth. He joined the Army at the age of 19 and served in the Korean War as a Sgt. 1st Class. When he came back to the States he followed the rodeo circuit as a saddle bronc rider. L.T. met and married the love of his life, Delaphine, on October 2, 1959. It was a package deal as she had four children. They were blessed with another daughter on July 28, 1961. He loved his family, his work, the outdoors, he loved to argue politics especially with his life long friend Niels Haubold who preceded him in death. Sports were a passion and Curley followed amateur and professional in any game. He loved to watch his kids and grandkids play ball. L.T. worked for Union Carbide for 28 years as a Superintendent of Miners. He retired from Carbide at the age of 58. He and Del “the missus” lived in Dove Creek for awhile then moved to Henderson, Nev. where he loved to work the gaming tables and their 99 cent breakfasts. Curley loved to play pinochle, cribbage and poker. Cards were the only game he cheated at, but sometimes we all thought it was to see if we were smart enough to catch him. He loved to put puzzles together and would meticulously sort them by color and shape. L.T. must have put a couple hundred of them together. He loved his puppies and walked them faithfully until his health wouldn’t let him any longer. Surviving Curley are his loving wife, Delaphine Waterland of Grand Junction, Colo.; and his five children, Joyce Barnett and husband, Frank of Dove Creek, Diane Brown and husband, Rick of Carlin, Nev., Paul “Sonny” Gardner of Dove Creek, Harley Gardner and wife, Denise of Dove Creek, and Valerie Sharp and husband, Larry of Cortez, Colo. He was also blessed with 17 grandchildren, and 38 great grandchildren. Also surviving Curley are his siblings, Tom Waterland of Spokane, Wash., Wanda Gundlach of Yuma, Ariz., Helen Fahrni of Aila, Hawaii, and Luther Waterland of Ekalaka, Mont. He was preceded in death by his mother, Kate and his father, Luther. His quick wit and loving presence will be forever missed. Memorial contributions can be made in Luther’s memory to Hospice and Palliative Care of Grand Junction, P.O. Box 60307, Grand Junction, Colo. 81506.