Calvin L Bilger

Calvin L. Bilger, born June 1, 1941, in Omaha, Nebraska, passed away on June 22 at Western Slope Memory Care in Grand Junction after a battle with dementia.

Cal moved to Grand Junction in 1979 with his family to pursue the construction industry and build houses. He spent the next four decades building and remodeling in and around the Grand Valley. Cal grew up in Littleton, Colorado and graduated from Englewood High School in 1959. He went to trade school after high school all while starting his career in the construction industry. He was a construction materials salesman which took him to both living in Boston, Mass and Chicago Illinois.

Cal married his high school sweetheart (Velma) in 1962, and they were married until her death in 2006. They had a daughter (Jodi) in 1966 and a son (Michael) in 1978. He got remarried to Marlene in 2008 and lived in Grand Junction until the end.

Cal was very dedicated to giving back to his community. He was involved with the Elks Club for many years, the Salvation Army, his church (most recently First Presbyterian Church), the Redlands Lions, and the local Grand Junction Coin Club. Whether it was his local community club or some other cause he was always up to help. He even gave his time and energy to build a house for a local family just because it was the right thing to do.

Cal was the consummate wanderer. He was always looking for the road less traveled, the next piece of history to understand so that he knew more about his coins, guns, and some sort of geography, the next person to talk to about something he didn’t know about, or just find someone that he could get their ear to talk about something for hours.

Cal is survived by wife Marlene (18 years), his son Michael (Hillary), his three stepdaughters, his granddaughters Estelle Bilger and Meghan Brammeier, and three step grandchildren. Cal is proceeded in death by his first wife Velma of 44 years, his daughter Jodi, his parents, and his older brother Ray.

A memorial for Cal will be held at the First Presbyterian Church on August 22nd at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Redlands Lions Club in Calvins name.