Clifford E Castor

Cliff Castor passed away peacefully, Sunday, September 8, 2013 after a 2 1/2 year battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 73.

He was born November 11, 1939 in Wray, Colorado to parents, William John and Lena F. (Hesse) Castor. He was blessed to have four brothers and two sisters who he loved spending time with. Cliff was baptized and became a member of the RLDS Church and continued his membership until 1974 when he joined the Methodist Church. Cliff lived  a few years in Oregon as a child, but returned to Wray at the age of nine. He grew up spending his time outdoors swimming, creating adventures and being mischievous with his four brothers.

Cliff attended Wray School participating in football, wrestling and track. When Cliff’s mother was transferred to Greeley with the phone company he chose to stay in Wray moving in with his Grandpa and Grandma Hesse to complete his high school education. In 1958, his senior year, he was the 127 pound State Wrestling Champion. In l958, he enrolled at Northern Junior College to join in their wrestling program, Northeastern Plainsmen, achieving a win to assist the team in winning the 1959 Championship of the Empire Conference.

Cliff returned to Wray and was united in marriage to Virginia Newton on January 17, 1960 in Vernon, Colorado. Cliff and Virginia shared 53 happy years together and their relationship was a shining example of what true love is…companionship, humor, flexibility, difference of opinion and love for one another. To this union three children were born; Todd, Rindi and Stephanie. Cliff was a wonderful father who taught them by example how to work, play, love and enjoy the outdoors. He was always understanding, forgiving, and a genuinely caring man.

He began working in the construction business and formed his own company, Castor Construction in 1972 remaining in business for thirty-five years. Over the years, he lost count of the many homes he had built and remodeled. The satisfaction of a customer was the goal Cliff insisted on for each job he completed, he worked diligently until both he and the customer were happy with the project.

In 1990, Cliff and Sam Ming formed, Castor-Ming Construction to build the WRAC facility for the Community of Wray. Cliff was especially proud of this accomplishment and happy that the facility has benefitted the community.

Cliff was a member of the Wray Fire Department from 1972 to 1992 when he retired. He was proud to be part of the organization striving to make all the fires and the short Monday night meetings, which often times turned into late night fun. He also enjoyed participating in the summer Fireman Races; they always had a great time and even brought home a few trophies.

At home when Cliff was idle he was restoring antique furniture, gas pumps, and his 1955 Chevy and El Camino; fishing was still a priority if the weather was good. He loved the outdoors, winter or summer, especially at the cabin. Spending a day alone enjoying nature was Cliff’s form of relaxation. He was also always eager to go on hunting, snowmobiling, and scouting trips with the guys.

Cliff was a man of few words and many talents, he had a strong presence, and one always knew when he was in the room smiling his sheepish smile. Cliff never missed the opportunity to watch his grandchildren participate in sports, plan trips to the mountains, and build things for them. He took them on many adventures and they all got to experience fishing with him. He had a mischievous side he shared with his grandkids, but taught them all to be better people. Cliff loved his family and took every opportunity to be involved in their lives.

Cliff considered himself a lucky man because he was living where he wanted and loved his work, he was truly happy in his environment; he believed in supporting his community by giving back in every possible way he could. He was gifted with the ability to turn wood into beautiful things and he generously shared these projects with others. The toys, furniture, decorations and benches he made will be enjoyed by many family members and friends forever. He loved to sit on the bench he made for Virginia on summer evenings and watch the neighbor children play. It truly was the simple things that made him happy.

Cliff was preceded in death by his father, William, mother, Lena and two brothers, Bill and Kenneth, his mother-in-law, Helen Newton, father-in-law, Earl Newton, two brothers-in-law, Wayne and Bob Newton, three sisters-in-law, Glenda and Patty Newton and Betty Castor and three nephews, Ralph Castor, Gene and Randy Newton.

Cliff is survived and will be deeply missed by his wife, Virginia, son Todd, daughters Rindi and Stephanie and husband, Woody Woods, grandchildren, Austin and wife, Danielle, Branden and Sydney, Sierra and Jacob, Logan, Megan, Morgan and Addie. Great-granddaughters, Madison, Bryson and Jaxyn Woods and Natalie Johnson. Brothers, John and wife, Neva, and Jim Castor, sisters, Beverly Morris and Phyllis Schinke and husband, Don, and brothers-in-law, JE and wife, Patty, Dean and wife Carol Newton, many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Memorial service “Celebration of Life” was held on Saturday, September 14, 2013, 10:30 a.m. at the Wray United Methodist Church in Wray, Colorado with Rev. Norman Stott officiating. A Private Family Inurnment in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado. Memorials may be made to the Cliff Castor Memorial Fund. Spellman-Schmidt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.