Memorial services for Ralph E. Vavak will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, at the Cortez First United Methodist Church. A reception will follow in Hampton Hall.
Ralph E. Vavak (Mr. V) left this world on Friday, Dec. 20, 2013. He was born on Jan. 20, 1928, in Waynes County, Mo. to parents Joseph Franklin and Lucy Hester (Reese) Vavak.
Ralph moved to Saguache, Colo., as a young boy with his family. There he attended public school until graduation in 1946. From there he attended Western State College, where he received a degree in music education in 1950. After teaching public school for a few years he joined the Army from 1951 to 1953. While in the military he served in the Signal Corp at Camp Gordon, Ga., and served in Korea as well. After being discharged, he became the music director in Hotchkiss.
The Cortez community was blessed in 1956 when Ralph started his public school teaching career here. Whether teaching choir or band Mr. V touched the heart and soul of every student he had for 30 years. He was one of the few teachers, indeed maybe the only teacher that taught in the Calkins building when it was the Junior High School, the current middle school when it was the High School, and the current High School. In the years after his retirement he filled in as a substitute teacher at the high school and thus maintained contact with the many high school students who were his “family”.
As MCHS band director, Mr. V took the band on its first “big trip” to the 1965 Indianapolis 500. Mr. V also was the “voice” of the MCHS Marching Panthers during home halftime performances. One of his favorite memories was announcing them during in 1993 during a Denver Broncos halftime performance.
Ralph founded and directed the Cortez Choralaires for 47 years. Many people in the community can remember being a part of that incredible ensemble, or can remember listening to the wonderful music they performed. In addition, Ralph was the long time Choir Director at the First United Methodist Church here in Cortez. He never missed a high school band or choir concert. He never forgot a student’s name. He was always friendly to everyone he met. Whether you knew him from his love of music, raising Arabian horses, painting, hiking Colorado mountains, or simply loving life’s adventures, you became a lifelong friend.
Ralph is survived by four nephews and was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Dolores Gallagher.
Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. To send condolences, click on the obituary section at ertelfuneralhome.com.
