Edward Eugene Pagel

Edward Eugene Pagel, affectionately known as Ed, went to be with his heavenly Father on his 86th birthday, July 22, 2021. He passed away peacefully at the Medical Center of the Rockies in Loveland, CO. with his family by his side.

Ed was born in Yuma, CO on July 22, 1935, the youngest of 9 children to Carl and Viola Pagel of Yuma. He was baptized at and attended St. John’s Lutheran Church and attended St. John’s Lutheran School through 5th grade. He then attended Yuma public school, where he graduated Yuma High School in 1954. During his high school years, he and several friends formed the “Yuma Angels” motorcycle group, where they rode and performed daredevil tricks during various events in and around the area.

After high school, Ed attended Colorado State University for two semesters. He then attended Pasadena City College in Pasadena, CA, for two years. A favorite pastime while there was sitting at the mirror pool on campus, conversing with the many potential Rose Parade Queens. He also enjoyed working on the construction of the Rose Parade floats. Ed then transferred to Denver University where he eventually received his Electrical Engineering degree. During this time, he also worked part-time at Martin Marietta as a draftsman. In May of 1958, Ed was drafted into the US Army and attended basic training in Fort Hood, TX, and then attended school in Fort Sill, OK, for Artillery Radio Maintenance. Eventually he was stationed for 13 months in Friedburg, Germany, at the same base as Elvis Presley. While there, some highlights for Ed included playing tag football with Elvis and attending one of his Christmas parties, and also spending free time with the Frauleins in Amsterdam.

Ed spent a total of two years in the Army and then returned to Ft. Hamilton, NY, where he was honorably discharged in 1960. He then resumed working at Martin Marietta in Denver for another twelve years. During this time, he was very proud to have worked on the Titan Missiles.

Titan’s exemplary record established a standard for perfection, safely launching two-man crews into orbit 10 times from 1965-66, one of the most dynamic and fast-paced periods in the Space Race.

Ed married Carmen Renzelman in 1960, and had two children, a daughter Connie and a son Bernie. In 1969 Ed moved his family to Fort Morgan, CO, where he worked at American Beef in Material Control and as a Purchasing Agent. At this time, he also purchased a mobile home park and named it Pagel’s Trailer Park. After 3½ years at American Beef, Ed went to work full-time at his trailer park, and built it from 15 spaces to an 85-unit park. Around 1990, his son Bernie became a half-owner of the park with Ed, and continues to run the park today.

Connie married and blessed Ed with four grandchildren: Shawn, Stephanie, Scott and Shelby, and three great grandchildren: Adalyn, Brooklyn, and Maddox. Bernie married and blessed Ed with a grandson Aaron.

Ed was a proud member of the Fort Morgan community and was active in the Fort Morgan Optimist Club. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church, where he served as an Elder, and was instrumental in creating the Trinity Lutheran School in Fort Morgan.

Ed met his current wife, Carrie Thorn, in 1984 and welcomed a stepdaughter Dana, and two stepsons, Darin and Devin. Eventually, he was also blessed with additional grandchildren: Baylie, Lynzee, Kiley, Tyler, Jarryd and Erick.

Ed and Carrie had many common interests which made their life together fun. They spent the past 37 years experiencing numerous adventures travelling by automobile throughout North America, often antiquing through small-town American along the way (Ed would not fly after the long flight home over the water from Germany). A highlight of their time together is the beautiful Victorian home they built just outside of Fort Morgan in 2000.

Ed had a brilliant mind and was very talented, as evidenced in his business acumen, silversmithing and carvings. Some of Ed’s favorite pastimes/hobbies with family and friends included: restoring old cars, arrowhead hunting, antiquing, fishing and hunting, playing cards, dancing, attending Bronco games, making his famous “Pagel’s Pickles”, metal detecting, making jewelry for himself and others, carving walking sticks and beds, rattling off his famous one-liners, and shopping for deals at Safeway.

Ed was a very likeable and unforgettable person, once you met him, you never forgot him. To know Ed was to Love him! He is remembered by most for his humor and always having a smile on his face.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, and all of his siblings. He is survived by his wife Carrie, sisters-in-law Jodeane Pagel and Donna McKibben, brother-in-law Larry McKellips, daughter Connie (Dan) Mireles, son Bernie Pagel, stepsons Darin (Denise) Thorn and Devin (Alisha) Thorn, step-daughter Dana (Troy) Allen, all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: Trinity Lutheran School of Fort Morgan or St. John’s Lutheran Church in Yuma.

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