Obituaries

Local Obituaries in La Plata &

Archuleta Counties

Gerald Douglas Poer

Gerald Douglas Poer

Jul 18, 2026

Gerald "Jerry" Poer, 86, of Durango, Colorado, passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026, surrounded by his family after a brief illness. He lived a good, full life — an extraordinary ordinary man who gave generously of himself to his immediate and extended family and to his church and community. His family remembers him as being gentle, kind, patient, thoughtful,...

Sheryn Lee Young

Sheryn Lee Young

Jul 17, 2026

On Friday, July 17th, we lost an amazing woman. Sheryn Lee Young passed away and joined Jesus in heaven. She loved her family, animals, quilting, knitting, and baking. She was known as the cookie lady at the Bank of the San Juans. She loved to sing and laugh and pray for people. We will always remember the laughter and joy...

David Paul McGowan

David Paul McGowan

Jul 17, 2026

David Paul McGowan, of Durango, Colorado, died at home on July 17, 2026, after an unexpected illness.

It’s hard to squeeze all of the things Dave was to his family and friends, especially his wife, Ann and sons, Jared and Jack, into a few paragraphs.

A Nebraska native, Dave’s personality was characterized by a strong work ethic, deep-rooted loyalty, and a down-to-earth...

Douglas Larry Snow

Douglas Larry Snow

Jul 13, 2026

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Douglas Larry Snow “Doug” on July 13, 2026 at the age of 79 years old. He was born in Durango, CO. to Kinzer M. Snow, and Cleta D. Woolsey Snow. Doug started his early years in Pagosa Springs, CO., later moving to Bayfield, CO. to attend school. Any chance...

Larry L. Barnes

Larry L. Barnes

Jul 13, 2026

Larry L. Barnes, long time La Plata County resident and premier log home builder went to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior July 13th 2026.

Larry was born on March 3rd 1932 as the oldest son to Calvin L. Barnes and Thelma Ruby Catherine Smith Barnes.

He spent his childhood in Durango, Cortez, Pagosa, La Boca, and Grandby. The Barnes family...

Luke David Wholf Baxstrom

Luke David Wholf Baxstrom

Jul 12, 2026

Luke David Wholf Baxstrom, 32, passed away on July 12, 2026.

Born in Durango, Colorado, on July 15, 1993, Luke was raised in the mountain community of Pagosa Springs. After pursuing his education in Denver, his heart led him back home to the place he knew and loved best.

Luke was a craftsman, artist, firefighter and paramedic whose life was defined by...

Mary "Elgin" Hatch Strohecker

Mary "Elgin" Hatch Strohecker

Jul 12, 2026

Mary "Elgin" Hatch Strohecker went to live with her Savior in the early morning of July 12, 2026. She was born on February 7, 1935 in Regina, NM to George and Mary Hatch. She was the oldest of seven children with four younger sisters and two younger brothers.

After graduation from High School in Grants, NM she attended nursing school in...

David Eugene Jackson

David Eugene Jackson

Jul 10, 2026

With heartfelt sadness we announce the sudden passing of our Father David Jackson on Friday July 10, 2026. Dave was born on 6/17/1945 in Ainsworth, Nebraska. The family moved to Lakewood Colorado and Dave graduated from Lakewood High. After graduating Dave attended Fort Lewis College in Durango and that is where he met Barbara Denison. They were married on November...

Agnes Bertha Owens

Agnes Bertha Owens

Jul 10, 2026

Agnes Bertha Petri Owens

January 27, 1930 - July 10, 2026

Agnes “Aggie” Owens passed away peacefully on July 10th at the age of 96. A learner, teacher, and nurturer, she was a natural caretaker and lived her long, beautiful life with gusto.

Aggie was born in 1930 in Hebron, North Dakota, the fourth of seven children. She was Valedictorian of her high...

Anna Montgomery Price Johnson

Anna Montgomery Price Johnson

Jul 8, 2026

Anna Montgomery Price Johnson. 82, of Durango, CO, co-founder of Durango's Repertory Theatre, took her final bow on Wed, July 8, 2026. A native of Scotland, Anna graduated from Ohio University and worked with the Ohio Repertory Theater for several years before moving to NYC. There, she studied with William Hickey and appeared off-Broadway and in summer stock. She also...

John George Sites

John George Sites

Jul 7, 2026

John George Sites - we say goodbye to our beloved John Sites, loving step-father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. John was born August 30, 1948 and passed away at the age of seventy-seven following an accident in his Side-By-Side/UTV outside of Eureka, Colorado on July 7, 2026 while camping with friends.

He was born to Margaret Ford and Clay Sites who resided...

Thomas Albert Ceglia

Thomas Albert Ceglia

Jul 3, 2026

Thomas Albert Ceglia passed away on Friday July 3rd 2026. He was a young 78 year old, born on May 16th 1948. Tom lived in both Durango Colorado where he has called home since the late 1970's and part time in Santa Maria California where he was born and grew up.

He was the son of Philip Joseph Ceglia ( A...

Bruce Owens Bryte

Bruce Owens Bryte

Jun 25, 2026

Bruce Owens Bryte

Bruce was born May 9,1953, in Honolulu, Hawaii to Anna Rose Owens and Jack Bryte. He lived there for the first few years of his life and loved the ocean. When the family all relocated to Groton, Connecticut, Bruce was in his element. As a boy, he and his friends rode bicycles, played ball and enjoyed swimming to...

Lauren "Laurie" Elaine Meador

Lauren "Laurie" Elaine Meador

Jun 23, 2026

Lauren “Laurie” Elaine Meador, 65, of West Plains, Missouri, passed away June 23, 2026, in Willard, Missouri at the home of her daughter Nicole, leaving behind a family, circle of friends, and community who will miss her deeply. Laurie was born on September 16, 1960, in San Diego, California, to Frank and Pat Meador.

Laurie was raised in Bayfield, Colorado, and...

Scotty L Whiting

Scotty L Whiting

Jun 20, 2026

Scott Whiting was born on August 16, 1964, and passed away on June 20, 2026. Regardless of his circumstances, Scott took great joy in making others laugh, and his unique sense of humor will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Scott is survived by his wife, Sheerien; his service animal, Bella; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Tom and Janis Wood;...

Jessie LaVina Mars

Jessie LaVina Mars

Jun 18, 2026

Jessie LaVina Mars, 86, of Bayfield, died 6/18/2026 at her home in Bayfield. A service will be held at 1:00 p.m., July 10, 2026 at Pine Valley Church, 1328 CR 501, Bayfield, CO, 81122. She is survived by her children, James F. Mars (Valerie), JaVina Susie Eavenson (Ed), and Sandra Rue Suazo (Larry); grandchildren Dusty Mars, Adam Mars, Amanda Hughes,...

Charles Torres

Charles Torres

Jun 18, 2026

Charles “Charlie” Torres was born in Socorro, N.M., on September 1, 1937, to Cleotilde (Tillie) Torres and Roger Gabaldon, Jr. He graduated from Socorro High School in 1955 and joined the U.S. Air Force in July of 1956. Charles was honorably discharged in August 1960.

Charlie was employed by the Dept of the Interior – BIA in 1961 in Shiprock, N.M.,...

Joyce Elaine Wood (Gannon)

Joyce Elaine Wood (Gannon)

Jun 16, 2026

Joyce Elaine (Gannon) Wood passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 16th 2026 in her home in Bayfield, Colorado at the age of 84. A memorial service will be held on July 17th 2pm at Hood Mortuary Chapel in Durango, Colorado. Joyce was born July 7th, 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio to Raymond Gannon and Doris (Belknap) Gannon. She grew...

Roy Oliver O'John

Roy Oliver O'John

Jun 16, 2026

Roy was a member of The Southern Ute Tribe, and he will be greatly missed by his fellow bikers, casino friends, dogs, and family members.

Roy was preceded in death by his mother, Labara Radea and Father Wilson O'John Sr., brothers; Cavanaugh O'John Sr., Calvin O'John, Wilson, O'John Jr., sister Olive O'John.

Roy is survived by his wife Vera O'John, his dogs;...

Doneva Paulek Huntington

Doneva Paulek Huntington

Jun 16, 2026

Doneva Paulek Huntington 79, of Hesperus Colorado, passed away peacefully Tuesday June 16, 2026 at the the BeeHive Memory Care Home in Cortez, CO. She was surrounded by her husband, brother, 3 of her 5 children and 2 son in laws. Doneva was born June 04, 1947 to Donald and Shirley Hoover. She was later adopted by James Grant Paulek...

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