Clarence Earnest Earles

Clarence E. Earles of Golden, Colorado, passed away on Sept. 8, 2008 at the age of 86. He was born in Laredo, Texas, on August 12, 1922. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence E. Earles Sr., his mother, Lydia S. Earles, his brother, Warren F. Earles, and his sister, Ruth Willoughby. He is survived by Dolores, his wife of 65 years. He met his wife in high school and married July 4, 1943. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and served proudly during the war in a highly classified unit developing radar defense systems. He was honorably discharged after 7 years with the rank of Petty Officer, 1st Class. Clarence joined the Border Patrol in 1954 and in 1955 he transferred to the U.S. Customs Service, where he started in Laredo, Texas, as an Inspector and was then promoted to Import-Export Supervisor. In 1976 he was promoted to the position of Port Director for the Port of Denver, Colorado, where he retired after 41 years of government service in1985. The latter promotion necessitated that he and his wife, Dolores, relocate to Colorado in 1976. He was an avid lifelong hunter in his home state of Texas and fell in love with the Colorado outdoors. There in his new home state, he formed new bonds with fellow hunters and fisherman and other friends and would spend many years hunting and fishing the wildlife of Colorado with his many good friends. Before his retirement and after, one of his greatest joys was to be with his family. He would travel with his wife, Dolores, to visit family members in different regions of the country. Later, as his children grew up and married, he would always enjoy visiting and visits from his grandchildren, taking them on outings in and around Colorado. The grandchildren would always look forward to his visits and visiting and spending summers with him. Beside his wife he is survived by his three children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Daughter: Lydia (John) Fisher, grandson Dennis (Sylvia) Clemons and great-grandchildren Kayla and Adrian Clemons. Daughter: Cynthia L. Prugh, grandchildren Benjamin (Kelly) Prugh and Stephanie Prugh and great-grandchildren Brandon, Kyler, Brooke and Rylie Prugh. Son: Clarence W. ""Buddy"" (Socorro) Earles, grandchildren Yvonne M. Earles, Christina (Oscar) Rodriguez, Lina Renee Earles and Patrick W. Earles. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Burial will take place at Earthman - Resthaven Cemetery in Houston, TX