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From: "Henry Schmick" <>
Subject: [GV] Obit, Don Vogel
Date: Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:45:15 -0600


Vogel, Don, (January 10, 1934 - July 22, 2012)

The Tribune
Greeley, Colorado
25 Jul 2012













According to the Westminster Catechism, “Man’s chief and highest end is to
glorify God, and fully to enjoy Him forever.” Don Vogel earnestly lived his
life to this end and now continues to enjoy God forever. Born to Jacob &
Martha (Fahrenbruch) Vogel on January 10, 1934, Don spent the first part of
his life in the rumble seat of his parent’s Chrysler Roadster along with the
goat that provided the milk Don needed to sustain his life. The doctor
recommended goat’s milk to help Don survive and so his parents took the goat
with them whenever they traveled. Is this why Don ended up with such enviable
curly hair? Originally settling in Longmont, Colorado where Don was born in a
farm house, Jacob and Martha moved to the farm in Prospect Valley in 1939. By
this time Don was joined by brothers Jim and Ken. Brother Tim came along later
and finally, sister Martha Anne joined the family on the farm in Prospect
Valley. After graduating from Prospect Valley High School, Don began his
farming career on a 160 acre farm in the Valley. In 1956 he was drafted into
the U.S. Army and had to spend two years away from the farm. Upon his return
he met Ruby Brinkman while attending church in Denver, Colorado. They were
married on December 27, 1959 in Denver. They settled into their home on the
farm just east of Prospect Valley and began their family with daughter
Jeanette and son, Donny. Don enjoyed working with the youth through the
organization Campus Life and spent many hours counseling and witnessing
Christ’s love and forgiveness to them. Whether it was at their home on the
farm, or on a trip to the mountains, Don delighted in all kinds of activities
with the kids. He had a reputation, even as a young boy, for pulling
fun-filled pranks on others, especially his brothers, Jim, Ken and Tim who
were always on the alert when Don was around. Wonder if God appreciates good
natured pranks?! Don loved life, particularly when it involved being with
others, and he was a most generous soul, especially when it came to sharing
his famous “fire balls.” A gentle giant was Don with a size 16 shoe and the
physical strength from hard work on the farm. He met hardship with the same
faith he lived and shared with so many. Floods, drought and dust storms only
strengthened his faith in the God he glorified. Even losing his farm in 1987
and having to move into town didn’t dampen his faith in his Lord. He served as
a jailor at the Weld County jail in Greeley for 11 years and used this
opportunity (and his physical size and his “fire balls”) to witness Christ’s
love to those incarcerated for various crimes. Gifted with a wonderful tenor
singing voice, Don blessed so many with his songs of faith and love,
accompanied on the piano by his life’s partner and devoted wife, Ruby.
Together they provided music for weddings, funerals and other events and sang
in many choirs. Don’s love of a wide variety of music, especially Christian
music, is evidenced by his vast collection of LP’s, tapes and CD’s. The
Heavenly Choir is now blessed with another beautiful tenor voice. (Hope they
like “fire balls” in Heaven because I’m sure Don took a pocketful with him).
Sing on, Don Vogel, sing on! Ruby, Jeanette and Dan Sisson, Donny and
Christine, Alex and Kori Vogel, your family members who remain here on earth
will be listening. Your siblings Annie, Jim, Ken and Tim, all of us will miss
you, even your pranks, Don. But because of Christ’s promise, we can look
forward to seeing you again in God’s great eternal home.
A funeral service to celebrate Don’s life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday,
July 26, 2012 at the Greeley Wesleyan Church, 3600 W. 22nd Street in Greeley.
Visitation one hour prior to service at the church on Thursday. Interment Linn
Grove Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to the charity of your choice in Don’s name. They
can be sent in care of Moser Funeral Service, 3501 S. 11th Avenue, Evans,
Colorado 80620.


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