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Guy Vernon Updike was born Feb. 12, 1923, in Craig, the son of Guy Cornelius and Nina Marjorie Updike.

He died Feb. 21, 2006, in Craig.

Vernon grew up on the family homestead and attended school at Upper Big Gulch.

After school, he drove a delivery truck for Standard Oil, later becoming dock foreman at Larsen Transportation.

He decided a little redhead named Ruth should be his lifelong companion. So on June 16, 1946, Ruth Maxine Rakestraw and Guy Vernon Updike were united in marriage. He and Ruth would have celebrated their 60th anniversary this year.

They lost a son in September 1947 shortly after birth. Their first daughter, Judy Carol (Updike) Connor, was born in April 1951.

After working for National Supply as oil well pump repairman, Vernon leased the homestead from his father in 1952. Later, while still working the farm, he also worked as appraiser for the assessor's office.

In 1961, Ruth and Vernon adopted Cheryl Jeannette (Spillman) Wise. Then in October 1965, they had another daughter, Melody Ann (Updike) Redd.

Vernon's rolling-stone lifestyle was full of travel and adventures. He lived most of his life in Craig, but never stood still. He liked to buy and remodel homes and move on to the next challenge.

Travel adventures were his favorite; the family was on the road almost every summer. Whether he went to California to deep-sea fish and visit with his brother and relatives, or to Oregon to fish and visit with his brother-in-law, Vernon was always on the move.

Vernon thought he would never leave Craig, but in 1970 after his daughter got married and moved away, he wanted the family to be together. So they were off to Oregon and a new adventure -- owning a chicken farm and later doing carpentry and handyman work.

When their son-in-law took a job in California, the Updikes decided to move back "home" to Craig in 1971.

Vernon and his brother Elwin drove to Steamboat Springs daily to do carpenter work for Mayor Bonnie Construction. Tiring of the daily drive to Steamboat, Vernon decided to go into business for himself as a carpenter and repairman.

When Craig's telephone office closed, the family moved to the Grand Junction area in 1978 until Ruth completed her years to retirement. In 1981, they moved back to Craig to be near Judy and her family. They lived on Riverview Avenue until 1992, when they moved to Montrose to be closer to Melody's family. They continued on to Grand Junction later that year. In 1999, with Vernon's health failing, he and Ruth moved back to Craig to be closer to Judy and her family.

Vernon, a faithful Christian, was an active and hard-working person. He dearly loved activities with his family, lived to hunt, fish, snowmobile and play games. His wife, Ruth, and daughters Judy Connor and Melody Redd were his favorite companions, with whom he enjoyed our beautiful country. He lived his life as a great example to family and friends.

Funeral services were Feb. 27 at Grant Mortuary.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth M. Updike of Craig; two daughters, Judy (Tom) Connor of Craig, and Melody (Marvin) Redd, living in Germany; a granddaughter, Cyme (Jeremy) Browning of Craig; a grandson, Matthew (Valarie) Connor of Craig; granddaughters, Ashley and Kelsey, living in Germany; grandsons, Chance and Titus, living in Germany; great-grandsons, Wyeth and Roark; great-granddaughters, Brooklynn and Fiona; brothers, Elwin (Maxine) Updike, of Craig, and Marvin (Maxine) Updike of Grants Pass, Ore.; a sister, Ella Marquess of Craig; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his son Guy Vernon Jr.; daughter, Cheryl (Walt) Wise; and brother, Orville (Viola) Updike.