Gregory Charles Longhorn

Greg Longhorn, 81, of Fruita, CO passed peacefully in his home surrounded by family. He was born in Charles City, IA and grew up in Nashua, IA where he met and married his high school sweetheart, Charlene Sinnwell in June 1961.

Greg did not want to stay on the farm and started in college to study pharmacy, but quickly decided that wasn’t his thing. After taking a course to become a wilderness guide, he needed two weeks back country training in Montana in June 1964. In the interim, Greg, Charlene and their toddler moved to Denver, CO in October 1963 with $500, whatever fit in their car and no job in line. He found work at General Iron, took a course in welding, and eventually was hired by Public Service. In 1975 a job transfer with the company took the now family of four across the mountains to Grand Junction where Greg continued to work as an electrical lineman for Public Service/Xcel and eventually he retired after 38 years with the company.  

Greg, an outdoor enthusiast, and was a cowboy at heart.  He worked hard and with his free time he could be found camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, both downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, riding ATVs, photographing and viewing nature and wildlife. Always the competitive athlete, Greg was involved in many sports. Lettering in football and baseball.  He bowled most of his adult life.  He also enjoyed everything from baseball and softball, ice skating, handball, swimming, golf, cornhole, playing pool and ping pong. Greg loved to dance, including square dancing.  He enjoyed playing card games like 500, Pinochle, Cribbage, Hand and Foot and many others.  His interest also went from gold panning his claim on the Gunnison River to tying flies for a fishing adventure. He to made cherry, apricot, and dandelion wine. He processed his elk and deer to make sausage and jerky. He was often in a boat and in his younger years built a paddle boat and a canvas canoe.   He was always busy with a project and back in the day he built a stereo receiver and speakers to listen to his quadrophonic records and later 8 track tapes and listened to a wide variety of music.  He was always finding ways to fix or modify his cars, trucks and trailers. We miss his ability to fix most things around the house and garage. 

Dad was a meat and potatoes man and loved a good steak or prime rib.  He also loved salmon, oysters on the half shell and other sea food.

During his life Greg was a member of Crossroads and Fruita United Methodist Churches and in his later years could be found mowing the church lawn and being a weekly usher. He was really moved by the Walk to Emmaus and continued to enjoy those gatherings. As a member of the Mesa Masonic Lodge and Western CO Shriners he enjoyed volunteering at the Shriner’s Circus and bowled and golfed with groups from the lodge.       

Greg was a family man and leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Charlene Sinnwell Longhorn; daughters Debra Harvey of Fruita CO and Connie (Brad) Bingaman of Montrose CO; grandchildren Levi (Sami) Harvey of Fruita CO, Timothy Harvey of Fruita CO, Brandon Bingaman of Dallas TX, Chelsea Bingaman of Montrose CO, and Tristan Bingaman of Dallas, TX; sister Lynda (Scott Stoyles) Rodenbaugh of Centennial CO and brother Dennis (Verniece) Longhorn of Forsyth, MO.  He was proceeded in death by parents Rexford and Laura Longhorn, and sister Ann Haugen.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at the Fruita United Methodist Church 405 E Aspen Ave. on Sunday, November 5, 2023 at 2:00pm with a reception to follow the service.