Gene M. Callender, of Clifton, Colo., was called home to be with our Lord on Oct. 2, 2013. He passed away at St. Mary Hospital after a motorcycle accident.

Visitation was held at Martin’s Mortuary in Grand Junction, Colo., on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013, from 9 until 11 a.m., followed by a service celebrating his life. He was buried with full military honors at 1 p.m. in Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado.

Mr. Callender, 60, was born on Dec. 24, 1952, in Brookhaven, to C.E. and Loretta Callender. He served six years in the U.S. Navy, and attended Orange Coast College. On Aug. 21, 1984, he married the love of his life, Christina Kelly Thompson. They shared 29 years raising their children and enjoying the outdoors of Colorado.

Gene enjoyed fishing, gardening and photography. He loved life and lived each day as if it were a new adventure. His amazing sense of humor and his infectious laugh will be missed by all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Survivors include his wife; his mother; two brothers, Ralph and Darrell Callender; four sons, Nathan, Matthew, Casey, and Gabriel; one daughter, Kieristan; three grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.