Verle Alvin Steele

Verle was born on September 17th, 1926 in Rupert, Idaho. He was the son of Alvin and Olive Steele. He grew up during the great depression when many families didn't have the luxuries we have today. the stories he shared of how life was back in those days were heart breaking. Verle's family moved around a lot in search for work. His father worked as a ranch hand and his mother cooked for the ranch. His interest in training horses began at a young age working with his father on the ranch. World war II started for the United States on December 9th, 1941 when they declared war on the empire of Japan after the bombing of Pearl harbor. In 1944 Verle decided he was going to fight for his country; He enlisted in the Navy at the young age of 17 illegally: as he was not yet 18 and could not swim. Verle served on the battleship the USS Idaho, where he served during the battles of the islands; Iwo Jima ( February 19-March 26, 1945) and Okinawa (April 1-June 21, 1945). He witnessed Japan's surrender on September 2, 1945 in Tokyo Bay.

During the battle of Okinawa his ship was under fire and hit under his gun mount by a Japanese Kamikaze fighter plane injuring his back. Verle was discharged from the service on June 12, 1946.

After leaving the service Verle had back surgery. The surgery involved removing bone from his leg and fusing his back. he lived in a body cast for the next year. After his recovery, Verle and his best friend Virgil pursued their passion training and racing horses. They traveled throughout the states of Nevada, California, Arizona, and New Mexico, often sleeping in their car, horse trailer or stables.

Verle's training record for 1949 with his beloved Nora Lee:she started 19 races, finished first 13 times, finished 2nd three times, finished 3rd two times.

When Verle's career in horse racing came to an end, he went to barber college becoming an award winning barber. He worked in barber shops in Cortez, Colorado and Pueblo, Colorado before opening Verle's Barber Shop in the Thatcher Building in the early 1950s. He had a diverse clientele for decades, and was known for his incredible flat tops! He competed in men's hair styling in Las Vegas, Nevada, Miami, Florida, Denver, Colorado, and won 2nd place.

Verle enjoyed his career in barbering and looked forward going to work every day. He was a people person who made friends easily. Many of his customers became close dear friends through the years. When Gary and I were young I remember being in Las Vegas and approached by someone he knew. This happened on several occasions. We could be out of state, out of town and he'd run into someone he knew, and of course everyone in Pueblo knew who Verle was. Verle would talk to anyone who would listen and he never met a stranger. He enjoyed sharing his stories of racing and training horses, telling his jokes and the gossip that came through the shop. Verle was a perfectionist when it came to cutting and styling mens hair,making sure his customers looked their best before walking out the door.

Verle's Barber Shop moved to different locations through the years; from the Thatcher building to Belmont in the 1960's, Abriendo Street in the 1970's, and the last few years before retirement 415 N Greenwood. When Verle retired from the barber shop he was in his late 70's and had cut hair 50 plus years. He continued to cut hair from his garage for a few of his customers and family.

In 1950 Verle married his first wife, Lila Frazee in Phoenix,Arizona that marriage ended after a year of marriage. On April 26, 1953 he married his second wife Clara Bonfiglio in the Vail Hotel in Pueblo,Colorado:the union of that marriage brought two children Becky and Gary. April 24 1972 Verle Married his third wife, Gloria Scott, in the Las Vegas court house. the marriage between Verle and Gloria brought a total of 6 children; Mike Scott, Janie Zabukovic, Becky Timme, Kathy Sloan, Gary Steele, and Randy Scott. Verle and Gloria were married for 44 years before her passing June 11, 2016. In those 44 years the family had grown and they were blessed with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren they both loved very much and were proud of.

Verle's hobbies were his travels with Gloria to Seattle, Chicago, Indiana, Arizona, Hawaii, and Julesburg, Colorado to visit family and friends. they also traveled to the Kentucky Derby and had so much fun dressing up for the occasion, placing bets, and having a drink or two. He looked forward to the Kentucky Derby each year studying and researching the history of all the horses, then giving the family and friends tips on betting. He enjoyed going to the old Pueblo Dog Track to watch the races, placing bets and drinking margaritas with Ron and Becky. Other hobbies were catching, milking and skinning rattlesnakes, target shooting, bowing leagues, fishing, hunting, old western movies, old country music, making green chili, and homemade spaghetti sauce.

Paid programming became another enjoyment of his. Every kitchen gadget he saw he had to have. He'd call me and say, "Beck you need to order this for me here's the phone number." Then say "I think I can become a better cook if I had that." Verle enjoyed spoiling his beloved Jack and Jill, cooking for them steak and roasted chicken. His favorite restaurants were Village Inn, Cat's Pour House, Cactus flower, Applebee's and the Hen House.

What made Verle the happiest was spending time with family and friends, holiday get-togethers, birthday parties, attending the grandchildren's football and baseball games. he took pride in his home and keeping his yard manicured.

Verle will be remembered for being loving, kind, and generous. He always had a smile or grin on his face. He was a genuine first class individual, wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He loved his family and beloved jack and Jill. We love you and will miss you forever! Sad are the hearts that loved you,sad are the tears that fall,but living our lives without you is the saddest part of all. The service was held January 2,2020 at 1:00 pm with Military Honors at Imperial Funeral Home.Resting place location: Veterans Court of Honor: Space 363. Rest In Peace Dad.