May 2nd, 1931 - December 29th, 2021
Louis Gaz was the son of Italian immigrants, his father was a coal miner, one of 5 boys, from Lafayette, CO. He died at 90 after living a full life. Louis graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with degrees in Geological and Civil Engineering in 1954. Louis married Shirley Deborski June 26, 1954, the daughter of a coal miner, one of 5 children from Louisville. They had 3 children Richard, Roxanne, and Randall. When Shirley died in 2019, they would have been married 65 years. Hired by Philip Anschutz out of college, he became the regional Geologist and Engineer in charge of mineral acquisitions and production in the Western United States.
Louis then incorporated Nuclear Logging Inc. with his Partner Walt Vernor in the early 1960's. A company that specialized in electric logging and exploration for uranium, coal, and geological information. Louis was the Weld deputy assessor for coal for Weld County tax purposes during 1960-70. Louis was an engineer at many coal mines including the last three in the area. The Lincoln, the Imperial, and the Eagle. The Lincoln Mine in Weld County became one of the state's largest coal producers, under the direction of superintendent Andy Deborski and Engineer Louis Gaz. Louis complied information to complete the sale from the Clayton Company to Coors Minerals in 1975.
Louis was later retained to close mines in the Boulder/Weld County area. The last mine was the Eagle, the tipple still sits on road 8 and I-25, the road by Erie high school. Louis and Dennis James, his good friend closed the mine in 1974. Louis was the City Engineer and Consultant for the major expansion of the water, sewer and drainage systems beginning in the early 1960's for the City of Lafayette. The projects included the expansion of The Waneka Lake and Electric Power Plant, The Marshall water treatment, the Sterns Rogers 4-million-gallon Storage tank, and the underground storm drainage system. The first in Lafayette. During this time, he also updated and compiled new modern subdivisions, zoning maps and ordinances of Lafayette, and replated the Lafayette Cemetery. Louis was also a representative involved with the rewriting of the new zoning, open space regulations for Boulder County. Louis's first company, All Caisson Drilling Company employed many young men and women in their first job in Lafayette.
Later to expand to one of the Largest Drilling companies in Colorado. Laying Caissons for parts of the Civic Center in Denver, Fairview High School and Aims Community College in Fort Lupton to name a few. Louis is survived by his children: Richard L. Gaz, Roxanne L. Rutledge (Andrew) and Randall L. Gaz; brother, Harry Gaz; and grandchildren, Katherine A. Rutledge, Michael L. Rutledge, Anna L. Rutledge and Charles D. Rutledge. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley and brothers, Guido, Geno and Johnny. Contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church or the Humane Society of Boulder County. Recitation of the Rosary will be on January 6 at 10:30 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass will follow starting at 11:00. Interment will follow at Coal Creek Cemetery.
