Milo Yale

In Loving Memory Of
Milo Gene Yale
1943-2023

Milo Gene Yale of Lakewood, Colorado, passed away June 3rd, 2023, in his home, surrounded by his family, after a long fight with Cancer.

Gene was born in Denver, Colorado, on July 6th, 1943. He was the 5th child of the late Miles and Emma Yale. Gene lost his father at the young age of 9, and soon became the man of the house, with 4 sisters. He graduated from Englewood High School in Englewood, Colorado, in 1961. He went on to marry his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth (Betsy) Kailey, on October 19th, 1962. Together they had three children; Jackie Ann, Karrie Lou, and Michael Miles, and raised them in Littleton, Colorado.

After graduating from high school, Gene worked at Plasticrafts for a year before his Uncle Howard introduced him to the Sheet Metal Workers Apprenticeship Program, that he started in May of 1962. During his Apprenticeship he worked for Custom Aire, Airway Inc. and Cooper Heating. He turned out as a Journeyman in May of 1966. He later worked for Airstream Heating, Frontier Heating and Air Conditioning, along with a few other companies. With his knowledge and skill, he advanced his way up to Foreman, then General Foreman. In addition, he started teaching apprentices at the JATC. In 1984, he became the Training Coordinator for the JATC. He remained the Training Coordinator until he retired in 2006. When he retired, they renamed the Training Center after him! Gene loved his SMW Local #09, he helped in whatever capacity he could, and advocated for Unions, up until the end! He rarely missed the monthly union meetings, and for the last many years he ran the Retirees meetings, every other month, until the last meeting in April. Sadly, his small group of "Old Farts" that he would go to lunch with, after the meetings, is now almost non-existent, because almost all his friends have passed away, most from some kind of Cancer.

It was through his union connections that he met Judy Robinson who worked with AFL-CIO Employment and Training program. She later introduced him to her mother Kathy. They hit it off with similar interests and values, since she was working with the Regional AFL-CIO. They fell in love and ended up marrying February 17th, 1996.
After retirement, he bought a 5th wheel and they traveled for a couple of years. In his free time, he loved car shows, going to the races and owned a couple of Hot Rods. He had a 1972 VW Dune Buggy named Lucy, and a 1923 T-Bucket named Thumper. He spent many hours working on those cars! He also loved auctions and getting a "good deal" and finding tools, he could never have enough tools! He enjoyed spending time in his yard, going for walks along the Bear Creek Greenbelt, where he bought a memorial bench for his daughter Karrie and Kathy's son Jimmy. He loved building things in his shed and garage, and spending time with his family. He grew very attached to the kids in the neighborhood, teaching them how to work on their bikes, or any other task that needed tools. He was always happy to supply all of them with the popsicles in the summer, or any other snacks he picked up on his COSTCO trip. Gene was one of the kindest, warmest, giving, and non-judgmental persons you will ever meet! He was instantly loved, admired, and respected by everyone that met him. He had a great smile and gave great hugs!

Gene was the last surviving member of his family! He was the one in charge of carrying on the family tradition of the Annual Yale Family Reunion, for all the nieces and nephews, and any other extended family members that could join. He was always the instigator of the water balloon fights and in past years, was known to be thrown in the ditch full of water, for several years in a row! He will truly be missed at this picnic!
He was preceded in death by both his parents, Miles Yale & Emma (Yale) Jacobs, his four sisters; Charlotte Wolf, Shirley Lynch, Linda Martinez and Sally Watkins, his brother, Miles Yale, that died in 1937 at the age of 3 months, from pneumonia, and his daughter Karrie Lou Yale, who died at the age 35, in 2004 from TSC.
He is survived by his wife Kathy, daughter Jackie (Mike) Mullins, son Michael (Michelle) Yale, bonus daughter Judy (Eric) Robinson, granddaughter Savannah, bonus grandchildren; Christine, Jordan, David & Ashley, in addition to 5 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews, along with many other people who loved him.

Gene's Achievements:
Involved with Boy Scouts during his childhood.
1975 Gene became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in El Jebel Temple of Denver, CO.
Emily Griffith Opportunity School -received numerous certificates for successfully completing required courses.
The National Training Fund University Center/The Ohio State University -received certificates for completing the Advanced Instructor Training course and the Training Program Coordination course for several years.
JATC TRAINING COORDINATORS certificates for many years both through The National Training Fund and International Training Fund.

Labor Assistance Professionals National Conference – received certificates for successfully completing the 5 days course for several different years.
Bureau of Alcohol and Drug Abuse and University of Nevada, Reno – he received numerous Certificates for his continuing education in Nevada School of Addiction Studies, & Employee Assistance Program
AFL-CIO Community Services – successfully completed the required training course to become a UNION COUNSELOR

LCA-Labor's Community Agency – he received a certificate for Advanced Counselling Training, and he served as the president of LCA for over 10 years. Helped with the food bank, Christmas party for the members, and basically helping out wherever there was the need.

SMACNA -advanced professionally as a supervisor, by successfully completing SMACNA's Supervisory Training Program, Mutual Gains Problem Solving & Conflict Resolution.

9/7/2013 He received the Award of 50 years of continuous good standing & service in the union.
11/5/2022 He received the Award of 60 years of continuous good standing & service in the union. He was presented this award at a ceremony in January, of this year, that he was able to attend with his son, Michael.
Close to 50 years of donating blood and Plasma at Bonfils Blood Center.
He also earned many more certificates, too many to list them all.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to: Sheet Metal Workers #09 Family Assistance Fund, Denver CO.
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Gene's Celebration of Life is following the service and being held at 1:00 pm
Trinity Lutheran Church
4225 W. Yale Ave.
Denver, CO 80219
Graveside Service will be Immediate Family only, at a later date.

Use the URL below to live stream the service.