Eugene Corbett Lefler

"We lived the high life"

Eugene Corbett Lefler, also known as Gene, Geno and Uncle Gene Bean, passed away at age 76, on February 12, 2012 in Phoenix Arizona. He was a snowbird resident of Lake Havasu and Phoenix Arizona but called Aurora Colorado home.
Born to Glen Corbett and wife Edith Marie (Saulsbury) Lefler on June 18, 1935 in Morris, Illinois, Gene was one of four brothers. He grew up in Lancaster, Missouri, where he lived throughout his school years. Gene reminisced about growing up on a farm and fond memories of his cousins. Often telling stories of cousin Tootsie, who taught him to bake cakes and "city" cousin Butch, eagerly woke him at 5am to begin the day with Gene's least favorite chore, milking the cows. Gene graduated from Lancaster High school at age 17. After high school he moved to Colorado for several months working with his brother Max on electrical high lines prior to joining the Navy in 1953. While in the Navy, he completed avionics school and traveled completely around the world on the ship USS Midway.

After the Navy, Gene went back to work with his brothers Max and Billy, they were very close. All three were construction linemen spending decades moving across the country, installing power lines, working face to face a top steel towers and wooden poles high above the ground. It was a dangerous job and one that he loved. Once Gene fell 39 feet, face down heading straight toward the ground. He flipped to land on his feet only at the very last moment. He simply dusted off his boots and climbed the next pole. Along the way he met a pretty little waitress at the American café. Janice Haase (Jan) had gotten the job at the café just three weeks after graduating high school. She remembers the day Gene first walked into the café. Jan fought with her co-workers over who would serve him telling those around her "One day I'm gonna marry that man, you watch!" And so Gene's daily cafe visits began. One night after a very prolonged dinner he finally asked her if she liked to water ski? "yes" she answered. "Do you know how to drive a boat?" "Well of course" she said. After that first date, not only was it obvious that she didn't know how drive a boat, but it was also clear that there was no turning back.

Head over heels the couple married eight weeks later on August, 12, 1961 in Watertown South Dakota at Lake Kampaska. Gene's entire work crew showed up at 4am so they could finish their work in time for the couple to be married that afternoon. Four beloved sons were born of that union. Jan and Gene were married for 50 years 6 months to the day. They cherished the early years of their marriage, raising their family as they moved across the country with Gene working as a lineman. They moved 39 times in a 17 year period.

Though Gene worked for Commonwealth Electric for several years he spent most of his career at Sturgeon Electric. He became a job foreman but hated all the paperwork. He'd much rather spend his time working with the guys. Gene was a union man all the way, member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Gene worked on the high lines for 44 years, retiring at age 62.

After a year of retirement, he went back to work, driving for Ryder, repositioning trucks for another 4 years. Gene worked hard and he played hard. He could often be found enjoying his favorite beer Milwaukee's Best. He loved a good meal. Homemade noodles, biscuits and gravy were among his favorites. He also had a fondness for both watermelon and bologna, but his favorite meal was northern beans, cornbread and fried potatoes.

Jan and Gene were avid travelers, once taking all three boys on a two week trip to Germany. They took great pleasure in their many adventures with Phillip and Doreen though the years visiting Spain, Australia, Hawaii and cruising Alaska and the Caribbean. They enjoyed their winter trips to Lake Havasu spending time with Judy and Larry and many treasured friends' playing cards and taking trips to Nevada. Black Jack was Gene's game. They developed meaningful friendships at Creekside their Colorado church home and Mount Olive their Arizona church home. The family loved their pets and most often owned schnauzers. "Fifi" had a special place in his heart. Gene was an avid Broncos fan, he also enjoyed hunting with his sons.

Gene was a family man at heart. Nothing meant more to him than his beautiful wife, his children and grandchildren. Gene is survived by loving wife, Janice "Jan" Lefler, three sons; James Corbett and wife U-sa Lefler, Brady Hollis and wife Carolyn Lefler and Stacy Eugene and wife Chrissy Lefler. Along with daughter-in-love, Virginia Fenske, grandchildren; Lauren Ann Lefler, Kyle Corbett Lefler, Troy-Lyn Marie Lefler, Kayla Rae Lefler and Brandi Hollis Lefler, sister-in-laws; Betty Lefler, Dianne and husband Al Meisenheimer, Donna Tigner, Judy and husband Larry Hagen, Doreen and husband Philip Lovick, brother-in-law, Jerald and wife Glorene Haase, Cousin Butch and wife Irene Saulsburry, best friends Albert and Janet Larive, Also surviving are many additional cousins, 18 nieces and nephews, numerous great-nieces and nephews and countless friends, including the old Frontier Airlines family.
Eugene is preceded in death by his mother, Edith Marie Lefler, father, Glen Corbett Lefler, son Baby Boy Lefler and his brothers; Raymond, Billy, Baby Lefler, brother-in-law Clifford Tigner, and sister-in-law Pat Lefler.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the many family and friends offering their love, encouragement, support and prayers.
The last 5 months have been difficult, but he didn't give up the fight easily. Gene made sure that each member of the family heard "I love you", "thank you" and "goodbye". After ensuring that Jan was in a place to be loved and well supported he took "One Last Climb".


*There will be a reception at the Hampden Inn following the interment at St. Simeon Cemetery. The Hampden Inn is located at 19010 E. Cottonwood Drive, Parker, Colorado 80138.