Montrose - Daily Press

May 14, 1916 — Nov. 4, 2008

MONTROSE — Dan Inman, age 92, of Montrose, Colo., joined his heavenly family Tuesday morning, Nov. 4, 2008. His wife of 69 years, and family had been at his side during the last few days at Valley Manor Care Center.

Dan was born at home May 14, 1916, in Doniphan, Mo. to John and Viola (Mummert) Inman. During the first few years of his life, his family lived in Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma. In 1928, at the age of 12, his family moved to Montrose in a Model T Ford truck. Laden with family and the few items they could bring with them, the old truck could not make it up Monarch Pass. Dan and his older brother had to get out of the truck and walk up the pass, so the rest of the family could ride up. After finally arriving in Montrose, the family lived in the Shavano and Coal Creek communities. He attended Coal Creek School and had to drop out after eighth grade to help support the large family. It was while he attended Coal Creek School that he first met his future wife, Ruby Brady. Dan and his older brother drove a horse-pulled wagon and would stop and pick up Ruby and her brothers on their way to school.

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Initially Dan and Ruby were not attracted to each other. He thought she was just a little freckle-faced 7-year-old girl and she thought he was a big chubby boy. By the time she was 13 and he was 18, their appearances and consequently, their attitudes toward each other changed. Five years later on Sept. 2, 1939 they were married in Delta, Colo. Four children were born from their marriage.

Dan was a respected member of the Montrose Christian Church, where he served many years as a deacon, elder and trustee. He was a man of integrity and his word.

A tiller of the soil, he spent most of life farming. When he no longer farmed, he continued to raise his prized and much admired garden. The garden supplied much of the family’s vegetables, fruits and berries; as well as having some left for neighbors and friends. Dan also worked as a custodian at Oak Grove School and enjoyed being around the children. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed picnicking, hunting and fishing in his beloved mountains. He also played the guitar, fiddle and mandolin; it was disheartening when his fingers could no longer move to play his instruments.

He is survived by his wife, Ruby Inman; two daughters, Thelma Caddy and Donna Bess; and one son, Dan (Sandy) Inman, all of Montrose. There are six grandchildren: Cinda (Tim) Ewing, Lauri (Kip) Davis, Tracy (Jodi) Smith, Darin (Penny) Bess, Tina (Travis) Rowley and Charlissa (Jon) Rose; 11 great-grandchildren and three step-great-grandchildren. Two sisters, Elsie Roy of Gunnison and June Williams of Montrose also survive. Dan loved God and his family and wanted to take of his family and know that they also knew the Lord.

Dan has gone on ahead of us to join his parents; daughter (Barbara); granddaughter (Sandra); five brothers (Charles, Earl, John, Bobby and Fritz); one sister (Elvie); son-in-law (Don Caddy) and numerous other family and friends who preceded him in death.

Visitation will be at Crippin Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2008 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday, Nov. 10, at 11 a.m. at Montrose Christian Church. Burial will follow immediately at Grand View Cemetery. 

Contributions in memory of Dan Inman/Global Outreach may be made to the Montrose Christian Church, 2351 Sunnyside Rd., Montrose, CO 81401.

Arrangements are being handled by Crippin Funeral Home, 802 E. Main St., Montrose, CO 81401 (970) 249-2121.

 

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