Doris Mcleod

DORIS JEAN WARE McLEOD JULY 3, 1926-AUGUST 27, 2022

Jean was born on her Grandpa Litton McClure's farm near Lock Springs, MO, a small community of then about 200 people northwest of Chillicothe in northern Missouri. She had three brothers and enjoyed small town life eventually graduating from high school in 1944. At the age of 3, she lost her father to a bizarre truck accident leaving her mother to raise 4 small children by herself. Her mother remarried a few years later with Earl McGrew who loved and raised the kids like they were his own. After high school graduation, she attended college at Kirksville State College in Kirksville MO.

Jean met her future husband, Eugene McLeod, thru her future father and mother-in-law. Walter and Ruby McLeod...he a physician and Ruby a minister at the Methodist church, knew her from her attendance at the church. When Gene returned home from his Military duties as a SeaBee in WWII, Walter introduced them and they eventually married on January 7, 1947.

Gene became employed by an electric power line contracting company that built power lines throughout the mid- western states. This led to early travel with stops in and around other places like Wakeeney KS, Harrison AR, Ulysses KS, Steamboat Springs CO and eventually Craig CO in 1952. Craig became home when he accepted a permanent position with Yampa Valley Electric Association. While still dreaming of a life in Oregon, they stayed in Craig until 1968 when they moved to Nucla to accept the General Manager position with San Miguel Power Association. They were blessed with 5 children who happened to be born in Hays KS, Chillicothe MO, Harrison AR, Steamboat Springs CO and Craig CO. Gene often teased that they should have driven 40 miles north of Craig to Baggs WY so that each one of the kids would have been born in different states!

They stayed in Nucla until 1981when they decided to travel to Bangladesh to help the people of that impoverished nation build the electric power grid in rural parts of their country. Unfortunately, Gene was killed in an auto accident and Jean returned to her home in Nucla.

Jean loved her kids, grandkids and great grandkids with a passion. She traveled often to visit them in Blair NE, Gillette WY, Juneau AL, Granby CO, Kanab UT, Grand Junction CO, Fredericksburg VA and Ouray CO! For nearly a decade, she would drive herself to Ouray to watch two of her grandsons play basketball. For players, players families, coaches and friends, she was affectionately known as "Grandma" and was admired for her efforts.

Other interests included her many card clubs, especially her Bridge parties, her Garden Club which she was honored with "Yard Of The Month" many times over the years and her 25 year membership in the ESA sorority. While in Bangladesh, Jean renewed her love of painting and created several original scenes depicting life in and around Dhaka. These are now enjoyed by her children and grandchildren!

Jean circled the globe twice in her travels... she said "once clockwise and once counter clockwise" and

over the years loved visiting Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, England, Bangladesh, Seychelles and Kenya. But one of her biggest thrills was the opportunity to visit Maine! As a young school girl in Lock Springs, she was asked to write a paper on someplace she would like to visit. A letter sent to the Maine Tourism Board resulted in some information sheets and a small journal with black and white photos. She kept that little booklet for 50 years and took it with her when she was finally able to visit in the 1990's. She lacked only Rhode Island and Massachusetts in visiting all 50 states.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Erie and Donna Ware-McGrew, step-father Earl McGrew, brothers Wendall, Mack and Kenneth Ware, husband Eugene McLeod, daughter Pamela Rait, son-in-law Greg Rait and grandson Danny Rait.

She is survived by daughters Terry (Gary) Miller, Cheryl (Les) Perkins, and sons Tim {Geri) McLeod and Tom (Carol) Mcleod. Also, grandkids, Lisa McLeod, Amy (Ben) Pinney, Brian (Laura) Perkins, Cory Perkins, Jeff Perkins, Julie (Sean) Whitenack, Josh (Elizabeth) Mcleod, Sarah {Cory) Ator, Dusty McLeod, Chris (Jessica) Miller, Scott (Cathy) Miller and Tracy (Jake) Leonardi. In addition, there are 22 great grand children

The family wishes to express great gratitude to the staff, nurses and aides at Aspen Ridge Care Center and Hope West in Grand Junction.

Graveside services will be held September 6, 2022 in Nucla, Colorado for family and friends.