Vincent Tookey Obituary

Former Silverton Mayor Vincent W. Tookey died Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, in Dallas. He was 93.

Mr. Tookey was born to George and Mildred Tookey on Feb. 6, 1919, in Sioux City, Iowa. He graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1936, and then went on to business school there.

"Vincent first came to Silverton by bus over Red Mountain Pass during a snowstorm," his family said. "He had been hired to work for the Shenandoah Dives Mining Co. His first thought was to get back on the bus and go back to Grand Junction. Instead he decided to stay."

On June 6, 1942, he "eloped" to Ouray to marry Caroline F. Pearson.

Mr. Tookey served in the Army from 1944 to 1946. He fought in the Philippines in the Pacific Theater.

After he returned, he had a varied career including working at the Shenandoah-Dives Commissary, serving as purchasing agent for Standard Metals Corp., bookkeeper for the Circle Route Garage and maintenance for the Silverton Public Schools.

He served two terms as a trustee on the Silverton Town Board and then serving a term as mayor from 1972 to 1976.

Mr. Tookey was elected to serve as the San Juan County assessor 15 or 20 years ago.

"Vincent worked hard to provide for his family, often working two jobs," his family said. "He enjoyed traveling, and Vince and Caroline delighted in taking their children and later their grandchildren on the annual family vacation that usually included a stop at Disneyland."

Mr. Tookey was preceded in death by wife of 62 years, Caroline Tookey; and sons George Tookey and Charles Tookey.

He is survived by his children William Tookey of Silverton, Cindy Willis of Commerce City, Caroline Hamacher of Sheridan, Ore., James Tookey of Golden Valley, Ariz., Richard Tookey of Colleyville, Texas, and Timothy Tookey of Del Mar, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, at the Word of Life Fellowship in Silverton. The Rev. Jim Greenfield will officiate. Burial will take place at the Hillside Cemetery in Silverton.