Carl Edward Waldrum

Carl Edward Waldrum passed from this life June 22, 2023. He was the only living child of Allie Azalea Yeager Waldrum and Thomas Samuel Waldrum. Carl was born in Loretto, Tennessee February 27, 1928. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean; his parents and a younger brother who passed when he was an infant.
At age 16, he married the love of his life, Hellen Jean Carpenter. Carl's love and devotion to Jean was never ending. He wore his wedding ring beyond her passing August 24, 2020. To this union, Betha Lane (Waldrum) Zebroski and Carl Douglas Waldrum were born. He enjoyed his grandchildren Heather (Doug) Moon, and Andrea Anderson. He was blessed with six great grandchildren, Dylan Moon, Jordyn (Tyler) Pelley, Cameron (Emma) Moon, Trey Ford, Grace Ford, and Sadie Ford. He was also blessed to meet his great great grandchild, Brody Pelley.

From a very young age, Carl exerted his independence. He worked as a night watchman at a local auto dealership in Excelsior Springs, Missouri when he was 13. He would sleep over night at the dealership and run home for breakfast before he went to school. His early years consisted of moving from Tennessee to Missouri and back to Tennessee then back to Missouri, wherever his father, Tom, could find work during the depression years. Wearing overalls and going barefooted did not make him attractive to Jean, but he "grew on her."
He served in the Army at the end of World War II. He was an auto mechanic during that time. Due to chicken pox while in the service, he lost hearing in his right ear. The Army considered him to be disabled due to this loss and awarded him $13.80 per month throughout his lifetime. Because of his Army service, he was eligible for the GI bill which paid for his continuing education as Tractor Mechanic at the Gastineau Implement Dealership in Cowgill, Missouri. This training program was completed May 31, 1952. His weekly salary was $33.75.
In November 1952, he ventured out on his own, purchased an existing mechanic shop with the aid of the GI Bill for the total sum of $2,300 in Cowgill. Many nights were spent working on farmers' equipment to be ready for the next day. Payment was often given in chickens not money.

He brought his family to Lakewood, Colorado in June 1963. He and his partner, Woody, started a mechanic shop at Robb and Colfax in Lakewood prior to his family coming. His move to Colorado was accomplished on a shoe string. He and Woody spent their nights in the car as they could not afford a hotel. Upon the family's arrival, a hotel near the shop became the family home for a year. Due to friends, especially members of the church of Christ in Golden, the family was able to furnish a small house which is still standing on Old Golden Road.

In 1986, Carl gained a son-in-law, Bob Zebroski along with Bob's children and grandchildren, more than doubling his family with one simple phrase, "I do". Carl always appreciated Bob's helping hand and care for him.
He was privileged to retire from Safeway as a diesel mechanic at age 62, and enjoyed retirement for 33 years. In 1979 he and Jean chose to add on to their home to provide housing for Betha, Heather and Andrea. Throughout the following years, many of the family lived in Apartment B at 1080 Urban with Doug being the last occupant.

During his retirement he repaired autos, dishwashers, lawnmowers, and built a motorcycle trailer, an ice fishing "house", jelly cabinets, wooden trunks, a dog house, a toy box, butcher blocks, holiday decorations, sofa table, deacon's bench, a toy wooden milk truck, guitar clocks, and the list could go on and on.
He and Jean went on a mission trip to Canada. He drove the church bus, built the Lord's table, built the welcome center, taught Bible classes, became an Elder, went camping with his church friends and visited so many members to encourage them. He was privileged to baptize his two great grandsons, Dylan and Cameron Moon.

He was well known for his cooking of fried chicken and ribs. Countless friends and family enjoyed his cooking and watched him prepare the food in his "cook shack" he built in the backyard.
He and Doug rode their motorcycles too many miles to count. At age 72, he stopped riding due to Doug's accident. He loved roller skating and riding a bicycle, sitting on the handlebars and peddling backwards. Chinese checkers and horse shoes were his favorite games.

The Golden church of Christ provided "family support" including transporting him to services Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night and including him in meals at his favorite restaurant, Denney's. Nona Barton and Deborah Pate became known as his "adopted daughters" with Jim Foster, Daryl Lind and Dave Johnson as his friends at "Dudes and Doughnuts."

He will be missed by so many. But his example and attitude of "CAN DO", and faith in his Savior has served him and us very well. We love you, Dad.