Ted Retherford

Former Palmer resident Ted D. Retherford passed away Nov. 17, 2007, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo., after a short illness. He was 82. There was a graveside service at Sylvan Cemetery in Pleasant View, Colo., on Nov. 21.

Retherford was born to Hank and Mary Retherford in Mehan, Okla., July 7, 1925. He moved to Colorado with his parents and three brothers in 1938 and married his childhood sweetheart, Maxcine Roundtree, in 1946.

Retherford served in the U.S. Navy before farming in Pleasant View for 20 years and then ranching in Allison, Colo. He and his family moved to Alaska in 1968, where he spent 20 years working the exploration of the North Slope and various construction projects around the state. He retired as a proud member of the Operating Engineers Union Local 302 and moved to Grand Junction in 1988.

Retherford loved Alaska and probably would have stayed, but Maxcine wanted to return to Colorado.

His two youngest sons still live in Alaska. His children all said his bark was worse than his bite, he was a great dad and he would do anything for them.

He worked on the TransAlaska Pipeline from the beginning to the end of construction and had several close calls working on the Slope in the frigid weather. He told the story often of flying into the airport in Prudhoe Bay, coming down the stairs into the bitter cold (40 to 50 below) and turning back to look at the door of the plane — and almost getting back aboard. Then he would say to himself, “Well, everyone’s got to be somewhere,” a phrase his children heard frequently. It turned out to be the smartest decision he ever made. He was a kind, loving man who was willing to help anyone who needed it.

Retherford is survived by his wife of 61 years, Maxcine; and children, Karen (Harold) Saiz of Trinidad, Colo., Gary Retherford of Aztec, N.M, Richard (Carol) Retherford of Lehighton, Pa., Jan Nichols of Dove Creek, Colo., Keenan (Debby) Retherford of Palmer and Kim Retherford of Wasilla; as well as 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Gene Retherford; and many nieces and nephews.

Condolences may be sent to Maxcine at 591 Blossom Court, Grand Junction, CO 81503. Memorial contributions may be made to Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 2121 North Ave., Grand Junction, CO 81501.