People

: Gary Hines; Local historian from Mesa County.

: Gary Innis Lake; He was born to John Elmer Lake and Carolyn (Master) Lake in Grand Junction, Colorado. He was the oldest of three brothers. The 1950 US Census shows the family living at 1640 16th Street when Gary was five years old. His father is listed as a brakeman working for the railroad, and his mother as a waitress in a café. He attended Orchard Avenue Elementary School, Grand Junction Junior High School, and Grand Junction High School. He practiced woodworking. Prior to going into the service, he attended Mesa College and Colorado State University. He attempted to join the US Marine Corp on a two year program. He broke his hand shortly before it was time to report and they would not take him into the Marines. He instead volunteered for the draft. He was placed in the US Army on November 11, 1966 and served from 1967-68. He attended basic training in Fort Bliss, Texas, attended advanced individual training in Fort Polk, Louisiana, and arrived in Vietnam on May 10, 1967. He served in 1st Infantry Division as a soldier attached to the Third Marines as part of a communications unit in Dian, Dong Ha, and Quang Tri during the Vietnam War. For part of the time, he served with his youngest brother, Phil. He attained rank of E4. He was present in Vietnam during the Tet Offensive. He returned to the United States in August 1968. He married Christy Simms on March 4, 1978. They later divorced. They had a daughter, Reni, and a son, Garett. He worked as a conductor for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad from 1965 until his death at the age of forty-three. He was a member of the American Legion – Vietnam Veterans Section. *Photograph from 1961 Grand Junction High School yearbook.