Russell Cleveland

Rusty passed away on March 3rd surrounded by his family. The room was filled with love and it was incredibly powerful as a beautiful ceremony was performed in the I.C.U. His son Decker wanted to marry before Rusty went on his journey. The medical staff, lead by a friend of 35 years and coincidentally he was their best man in 1987, all participated with flowers, something blue, borrowed etc. The words spoken and moments shared will forever be cherished and honored.
Rusty came to Durango from Amherst, Mass. in 1972 to help a friend run the Holiday inn. He met a great group of friends and those friendships continued through the years as he treasured many memories and good times. He started his contracting company, Aspen Builders. They remodeled many Main Avenue restaurants which only long-time residents will remember, such as Crystal Tavern, Lost Pelican, Panhandler Pies, Assay Office, and A'Roma Pizza to name a few.
Rusty became a realtor in 1989 and started a central clearinghouse for rental properties, The Rental Market, that assisted renters in their search as well as assisting landlords and property managers and appraisers. He returned to construction as a superintendent/ project manager for the Hillcrest Apartments (Club Durango) project and Westward Manor complex. For the last 6 years, he has been an associate at Walmart and his friends there say they feel honored to have known him.
Everyone knows his favorite collection was any Coca Cola logo item. This made it easy for birthdays, and Christmas presents. He has been described as a very organized hoarder with everything from his tools to his antique collections. He loved to watch a good New England Patriots game. He loved to read and discuss the puzzles of the universe with everyone, to study many different subjects, to learn anything and to see the best in everyone! He enjoyed finding time to landscape and garden at his home of 23 years. He cherished his children.
He lives on through his sons Decker of Portland, OR, Lawrence of Durango and a daughter Calina of Houston, TX, his ex-wife Sandie (Cleveland) Wright of South Carolina, his step sons Jason of Panama City, FL and Peter Clevano of Durango. There will be a Celebration of Life at a later time this summer. Please leave a memory online.