Eugene Freshour
courtesy photo
Eugene Freshour
DENVER, COLORADO — Eugene Clifford Freshour, 93, was born July 7, 1928, to George and Zulema Freshour on their beautiful ranch in St. Ignatius. He passed away on May 10, 2022, at home in Denver, Colorado. Gene was a rancher, farmer, loan officer, missionary, husband, foster parent, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather many times over. He was married to his beloved wife and best friend, Jeanne Freshour, for 62 years.
Gene grew to manhood on the ranch and graduated from St. Ignatius High School in 1946, then attended Montana State University and graduated in 1950. He returned home to the ranch and was married to Jeanne Cordis on Nov. 25, 1956. In 1969, Gene and Jeanne sold the ranch forming the Pinehaven Christian Children’s Ranch. They moved from Colorado to Montana to Oregon following his careers in ranching, farming, and working as a loan officer with the Production Credit Association.
Gene accepted the Lord as his savior together with Jeanne on Easter day in 1964 and dedicated his life to His work ever since. They had a variety of roles working with Frontier Missions in places such Belize, Venezuela, and England before returning to the states and moving to Canyon City, Oregon, for the rest of their days. Gene was very active in the John Day Church of the Nazarene until his recent medical difficulties. Gene was steadfast in his daily prayer for those he knew, and even those he did not. His kindness, patience, love, and soft-spoken nature are unforgettable to his family. His gift for giving wise, Godly advice was appreciated by everyone who knew him.
Gene is preceded in death by his father, George and his mother, Zulema; his wife, Jeanne Freshour; his brothers, Elmer and Walter Freshour; his sister, Helen Smith; and two infant daughters.
Gene is survived by his sister, Lois Delaney of Moise and his brother, Donald of Helena; his son, Dane Freshour of Denver; his daughter, Ann Spies of Twin Falls, Idaho; his son Joel Freshour of Golden Valley, Arizona; and his daughter, Jennifer Sherebernikoff of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Gene leaves behind nine grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren, as well as a lasting legacy of love and devotion to Jesus. He will be deeply missed.
A memorial service will be held at the Christian Church on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, at 10 a.m. in St. Ignatius. A celebration of life and lunch will follow.
