Brenda Decker, 53, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, after a short battle with cancer. Brenda was born October 11, 1966, in Los Angeles, Calif., to Mary Lu Graves. She lived in California until 1997, then proceeded to start a new life in Pagosa Springs Colo., with her mother, Mary Lu, and young son, Dakota. There she met her husband, Warren Decker. They expanded their family with a daughter, Danielle, and step-daughter, Breann.
Brenda started and ran a successful pet grooming business. She was loved by all who came in contact with her. Brenda was passionate about saving animals and wildlife. In her youth, she worked for the Wildlife Waystation, where she helped care for and raise mountain lions, among other animals. The Wildlife Waystation made a huge impact on her life, not only with the animals, but also the people she came in contact with. Brenda was an incredible wife, mother and friend to many. Not only did she put others before herself, she was loyal and most giving friend anyone could ask for. Besides her family and friends, her heart belonged all animals. Brenda will greatly be missed.
Brenda is survived by her children: Dakota, Danielle, step-daughter Breann, step-grandson Jaydon and husband Warren. She was preceded by her mother, Mary Lu. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Pagosa Springs Humane Society. A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date.

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Daniel Lee Snyder passed away on Thursday, March 26, from respiratory complications. He was 56.
He was a kid at heart who was never too tired to play with his grandkids, loved his wife and kids unconditionally and worked hard for everything he accomplished.
He leaves behind his wife, Yevonne Snyder (Girardin); five children, Jazmyn Boren, Alissa Snyder, DJ Snyder, Ashley Orozco (Snyder), Amanda Kirtley (Snyder); five grandkids; sisters; his parents; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a private service held at a later date. Donations can also be sent to Yevonne Snyder, 245 Westridge Road, Durango, CO 81303.
Many people have asked what they can do or how they can help since so many of us are standing here saying, “Now what?” So, the family has set this up in place of sending food or flowers to help with medical expenses. We’re left with the memories of the love he gave us, how it felt when his strong arms hugged us, and a deeper appreciation for classic rock music. He was a major influence to us all, and will be missed by everyone who loved him. A donation page has been set up at tinyurl.com/t3z6e4k.

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Ralph John Goulds, CAPT, USN (Ret.), loving husband and father, left us on April 1.
Ralph was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1929 and was sent to England in 1937 to escape the persecutions of the time. Ralph arrived in New York, N.Y., to join his parents in 1939.
Ralph entered the U.S. Navy after a four-year NROTC scholarship at the University of Rochester; he was commissioned an ensign and reported aboard the USS SICILY on June 1957.
Upon graduating from Submarine School in December 1953, Ralph Goulds served on USS Angler (53-56), USS Piper (56-57), U.S. Submarine Base, New London, Conn. (57-59), Submarine Squadron Ten (59-60), USS Sailfish (60), executive officer, USS Blenny (60-62), Naval War College, Command and Staff Course (62-63), commanding officer, USS Entemedor (63-65), Naval War College (65-67), Seventh Fleet staff (67-69), Commander Submarine Force, Pacific (70-74), commanding officer, USS Hassayampa (74-76), chief of staff, U.S. Naval Forces, Japan (76-81). Retired (81).
July 16, 2013, was named Ralph Goulds day in Archuleta County.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Samuelle Goulds, and daughter Valerie Goulds.
Due to the coronavirus, no service plans can be made. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warriors Foundation.

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Sammy was born on Sept. 26, 1948, to Manuel and Lydia Martinez in Durango, Colo., and just as Manuel was the first-born son to his parents, Lucas and Maria Martinez, Sammy was the first-born son of Manuel and Lydia. Sammy grew up on the various ranches in Bayfield and Pagosa Springs where Manuel worked. This life on the ranch became the essence of who he was and, as his family settled in Trujillo, he became synonymous with that community.

Sammy graduated from Pagosa Springs High School in 1967 and although he attended schools in various places like Bayfield, his school life was dominated by riding the school bus daily on the Trujillo Road. Disneyland is a playground for the world, but Disneyland had nothing on Trujillo for Sammy. He felt there was no greater place on this planet and Trujillo will be where he goes for his final stop where he will rest in peace next to his father, who felt the same.

Sammy had intensity much like that of fire and that intensity was felt by all that came into contact with him. His family was dear to him and, as much as he dearly loved each and every one, he was quick to lose his patience and no one knew this better than his dad, his Uncle Andy and those neighbors, friends and family who lived closest to him. Fire is essential for life and his love felt essential, but fire also burns and Sammy’s fire was all of that.

Sammy’s first love was to have a good time with his friends and family. As a young person, he developed his love of hunting, fishing and horses, almost a perfect trio for someone from Trujillo. Chief was one of the first horses he cherished, as was Smokey and others that followed. It was so easy to understand his passion because when he was away from them, oh, how affectionately he would talk about them. He was a cowboy, nothing urban about him. What he expected of himself he also expected of the horses which included weeklong hunting trips to the high country or going for a ride on a weekend for a couple hours when one of his city slicker cousins showed up. He thought nothing of saddling up a couple horses and going for a horse ride. The warmth of this fire, he shared with those that came to Trujillo to see him or those that lived with him.

As a young man, he was drafted into the Army and this, too, became a burning passion for him. No one seems to recall him talking negatively about his experiences in Vietnam. So very unusual until you put it in context … He refused not to make good friends and even in the midst of the fighting and death all around, his passion for life found good times and created lifelong friends like Tony Herring. Such was this fire within him that he became a loud advocate for veterans, especially Vietnam veterans. When his baseball cap was not making a political statement, he wore his veteran credentials and never, never missed an opportunity to thank a brother or sister veteran for their service to this country.

There was only one thing that he loved more than good times and it was his family. He married a beautiful young woman: his neighbor, Beverly, and they built a home in Trujillo, of course. They had two beautiful children who had two more children. As if the fire could not burn any brighter, these children: daughter Natosha and son Jesse and the two granddaughters Jordyn and (Payton) Paytie Ann, and the great grandchildren Nathan and Madelynn, Sammy actually loved this crew more than life itself. 

As a jack of many trades, he also happened to master many different skills. He worked as a pizza chef while he went to mechanic school in Denver. Turns out, he became an extraordinary outdoor cook, a much better cook than mechanic. He worked construction like so many in our family. He was a new-age migrant worker, living in many places in Colorado and Arizona, where he and his family followed construction work. Along the way, he developed the ability to build houses that became homes for so many, a skill he has passed on to Jesse. And always, his infectious laugh and smile, creating warmth around him that is only equaled by the hugs his daughter gives. Those hugs are world-class, such is that fire, that passion, that warmth and intensity, all are part of the complexity that was Sammy.

In March of 2005, the fire almost went out when he suffered a stroke on the way to a vacation with his wife. It was on that day that the internal regulator for his passion turned to either extremely hot, red hot with impatience and rage because of being imprisoned in a shell of a body and a mind that no longer worked for him as it once did or the fire would barely stay lit as he suffered the lows of loneliness and despair. He would still find a way to attend events, thoroughly enjoy the food and company and he would work twice as hard to carry lighthearted humor, often making fun of his dead arm or worthless leg. He still found friends and companions like Diana Baird and Wesley McCalister. But his condition frustrated him. How he wished Paytie would’ve known the other Sammy so they could have the bond he so cherished with his Jordyn. He was demanding, but in quiet moments and in private he wished he would not have been such a burden on Tosha and Jesse, on his brothers and sisters, but mostly not be a burden on his mother. He knew she worried about him, but he felt helpless not to make that worry go away for her.

In the end, the fire, the flame went out with such tenderness, in such good hands and with exactly who he would want with him. Tosha was talking to him and told her dad it was OK, and he could go. Jesse came over and they put their dad in their hands. Sammy gently let the fire burn out with his last breath as he left this shell and stepped into being whole again, holding the ultimate flame, the hand of Jesus.

Sammy was preceded in death by his father, Manuel Martinez; his baby sister, Chello; and his grandparents, Lucas and Maria Martinez, and Rafael and Antonina Martinez. He is survived by his beloved mother, Lydia Martinez; his daughter, Natosha Smith (Ray); his two granddaughters, Jordyn Martinez (Elijah) Nathan and Madelyn and (Payton) Paytie Ann Smith; as well as his son, Jesse Martinez. In addition, he is survived by his sister, Angie Riemer (Dale); sister Connie Gomez (Michael), brother Donnie Martinez (Candyce); sister Cindy Lucero (Guzman); brother Lawrence Martinez (Kimberly); brother Bobby Martinez (Teri); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sammy you are free, you are whole again. Rest in peace, father, grandpa, brother, compadre, neighbor, primo, uncle, amigo. Your light will be with us always.

Sammy passed away on April 14 at Pine Ridge Extended Care Center in Pagosa Springs, Colo. The family is planning a memorial service and a celebration of Sammy’s life when we are all free to be together again.

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Carol DeJean Fisher was born May 1936 in New Orleans and lived at 4626 Venus St. until marriage. She attended Gentilly Terrace grammar school, John McDonogh High School and was valedictorian at both. Carol was baptized and confirmed at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church (LCMS). She began attending Gloria Dei Lutheran Church while in college. 

Carol entered Tulane University School of Business Administration in 1953 with a city scholarship. She was elected to Beta Gamma Sigma (Honorary Business Fraternity) in her junior year, charter president of Phi Chi Theta business sorority in 1956, member Gamma Delta Lutheran Student Association and president in sophomore year. She was also a member of various student business clubs (Propeller Club, Society for the Advancement of Management, etc.) Carol graduated 1957 and was elected secretary of Business Alumni Association upon graduation. Following graduation, Carol worked for IBM instructing and programming until April 1959.

Carol was introduced to Arvold Fisher by Pastor Recks at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in September 1957. They married in September 1958. Fred was born in 1959, Susan in 1961 and Diana in 1964. They transferred to Mt. Olive, which was closer to their home, in 1961.

Carol joined the League of Women Voters in 1961, and worked with the property tax study group. She began working in Republican politics in the Draft Goldwater 1963-1964. She was a charter member of the Jefferson Parish Republican Women’s Club, and president 1967 and was elected to Parish Executive Committee and elected secretary in 1967. She was also appointed vice chairman of Jefferson Political Action Council in 1967 and later appointed bylaws revisions chairman of the Louisiana Federation of Republican Women in 1968. In 1968, she became chairman of the 2nd District Nixon-Agnew election campaign and election day chairman for Dave Treen for Congress. 

Following Arv’s transfer to Royal Dutch Shell in The Hague, Netherlands, on Feb. 1, 1969, she joined the American Women’s Club, played bridge and read copiously, especially history and historic biographies. This began a lifelong interest in European and military history. She enjoyed planning travels for one day, weekend, and longer trips during their time overseas.

In June 1970, Carol returned to Metairie and resumed Republican activities. In 1971, she was re-elected to the Parish Executive Committee and became vice chairman. She was again elected president of the JPRWC in 1972, and re-appointed vice chairman of PAC, and elected to Republican State Central Committee. She was the scheduler for Dave Treen’s successful 1972 and 1974 congressional campaign, this time in 3rd District and chairman of Nixon — Agnew 1972 reelection campaign. She held various offices in LFRW and helped in local elections and special elections for Henson Moore (January 1975) and Bob Livingston (August 1977). 

Carol worked for H&R Block 1977-1979 to pay for her political expenses. She became State Central Committee and State PAC vice chairman 1977. She was elected president LFRW in 1979 and served until 1983. She was Reagan 3rd District chairman, and delegate to the 1976 Presidential Convention. She also served as Parish chairman Treen for Governor, 1979, and again Reagan chairman and delegate 1980. She was member of Rules Committee at both national conventions.

In 1983, Carol was appointed member of the Louisiana Tax Commission in which she served through 1988. She took classes and wrote a demonstration appraisal to receive designation of Residential Evaluation Specialist from the International Association of Assessing Officers. She also received Louisiana Associate Assessor designation. The Commission’s work consisted of protest hearings, assessment of state and federal-regulated utility companies, review of parish assessment roles and establishment of annual guidelines.

After leaving the Tax Commission, Carol became registration chairman for the LA GOP and legislative chairman of the LFRW. She and Arv then began traveling more extensively.

In 1989, they bought property in Pagosa Springs, Colo., and built their dream retirement home, which was completed in August 1990. She then moved to Colorado and Arv came up one week each month until he retired and moved here permanently in 1992.

Carol opened her own business, Pagosa Property Appraisals, in 1992, which lasted three years, until she had to close the business due to both of their parents’ illnesses and need to travel frequently and on short notice to Louisiana and Florida. 

Carol was active in Our Savior Lutheran Church, serving as chairman or vice chairman of the fellowship committee, as financial secretary, and as a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She was also a member of the Archuleta Country Republican Women’s Club.

Carol enjoyed cooking, fine wine, and the continued planning and taking of cruises, tours and independent travel.

Carol died of congestive heart failure on April 2. She is survived by her loving husband, their three children, three grandchildren and their families.

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Eloner Irene Fabbri passed away Wednesday, April 22, at home in Lafayette, Colo. She was 94 years old.

 Eloner was born July 29, 1925, to Glen and Verda Stithem in Palco, Kan. She was baptized at the age of 11 at a Baptist church in Silvis, Ill. She worked at ERC (Electronic Trim) for 14 years, Ford Properties (real estate) for seven years, and was a sales representative for Vienna Sausage for two years. She was an active member of the Moose International and attained the title of College of Regents and also Sons of Italy, attaining title of Mistress of Ceremony.

She is survived by her children: Larry G. Allen, of Pagosa Springs; Lance M. Allen, of Cedar Hills, Utah; and Linda M. Kleidosty, of Meridan, Kan.; eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; and many extended family and close friends.

 She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, Leo M. Allen and Albert A. Fabbri, and a grandson, John.

 Visitation was held at Hood Mortuary, 2017 Eagle Drive, Pagosa Springs, on Monday, April 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service was held Tuesday, April 28, at 10 a.m., at Crossroads Fellowship, 1044 Park Ave., Pagosa Springs, and burial followed at Hilltop Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Moose Heart, 155 S. International Drive, Mooseheart, IL 60539, (630) 966-2200, www.moosecharities.org/ways-to-give/.

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Our most remarkable husband and father passed away suddenly on the evening of April 25 at his home in Kerrville, Texas. Like many others of his generation, he lived a life that represented the best of America. He was kind, intelligent, humorous, hardworking, patient and loving, and he valued above everything, honesty, justice and integrity.

Jim Adams was born to Lynn and Florence Adams in Corsicana, Texas, in 1926. He was the youngest of three. His family lived through the Depression by dint of his father’s multiple jobs augmented by raising chickens and eggs behind their small house. Later, they moved to Mexia, Texas, where Jimmy studied, raised and rode horses, worked part time, learned to drive and made lifelong friends. 

In 1943 at the age of 17, he volunteered and after posting high enlistment test scores was recruited into the Army Specialized Training Program. He was assigned to LSU where he completed two semesters of engineering studies making the Dean’s List each time before the Army canceled the ASTP and assigned him to Japanese combat language training and active duty. His official report date was D-Day, June 6, 1944. After completing language training at Yale, he turned 18 and was sent to basic training at Ft. Hood. Afterwards, he was sent for additional language training at the University of Minnesota before boarding a troop ship for Japan where he had been assigned as Tech Sergeant to a combat unit. He was 5’6” tall and weighed 110 lbs. The war in Japan ended before he arrived and he spent almost two years in Tokyo as part of the U.S. occupying forces. 

After mustering out, he used the money he saved and the GI Bill to buy a car and obtain his law degree (LLB/JD) and then BA at Baylor. After graduation, he became the assistant prosecuting attorney in Grosbeck, Texas, where he narrowly escaped a courthouse shooting by an irate father in a child custody case. In 1951 with a campaign budget of $50, he successfully ran for the Texas Legislature and was elected — at the age of 24. One of his key legislative actions was to push through a bill to ban cash payouts from slot machines — a key business of organized crime throughout Texas at the time.

Having then decided to make his career in law enforcement, later in 1951 he resigned from the Legislature to accept an appointment to the FBI as Special Agent. Given Jim was only 5’6”, he did not meet the minimum height requirement for special agents, but upon review of his qualifications, Director Hoover issued a waiver to allow his hire. Over his 27 years with the Bureau, he served in various roles and locations attaining the position of associate director, the number two position in the FBI. He held key positions in the investigation into President Kennedy’s assassination, organized crime and cold war counter intelligence. After Watergate, because of his reputation for integrity, he was brought back to headquarters from the field specifically to identify and execute improvements throughout the Bureau. He also then spent 100s of hours testifying before congress during the Watergate investigation hearings. He received both the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service and the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal. In 1978, he served for a short time as acting director. 

He retired from the FBI in 1979, becoming the executive director of the Criminal Justice Division of the Texas Governor’s Office, and then in 1980, Director of the Texas Department of Public Safety and Texas Rangers — a job he particularly desired and cherished. He retired in 1987 — but continued for the rest of his life to talk about the wonderful, dedicated people he had the honor of working with in both the FBI and DPS. 

More importantly for his family, though, during his first posting to FBI headquarters in 1954, he met Ione Winistorfer, a very pretty and very intelligent young woman who was working in the Administrative Division. Over the next 65 years, he repeatedly called their marriage “the smartest decision he ever made.” Jim and Ione had three children: James Jr., Elizabeth and Martha Wolcheski, all three married and have children. The extended family has always remained close. 

After retirement, Jim and Ione finally built a small cabin in Pagosa Springs where they spent nearly every summer until only a year ago. Jim was a member of the Rotary and Ione volunteered at the library. They had been visiting since the late ‘70s when they were introduced to Pagosa by close friends. Pagosa has become an anchor for the family, as both the children and grandchildren now visit regularly and enjoy the friendship of their neighbors.

At his passing Jim leaves behind his wife, Ione; their children, along with spouses Debbie Adams and Frank Wolcheski; seven grandchildren (Katherine, James III, Nick, Kelsey, Chloe, Bridgitte and Blake); six great-grandchildren (Jaime, Lillian, Charlotte Jean, Evelyn and Ezra); nephews, nieces and, lastly, those close friends, who unlike him, have so far escaped the tragic inevitability of age. We miss him terribly and cannot yet imagine getting over the pain of his loss. 

Services will be scheduled at a later date.

Condolences may be sent at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the “Send Condolences” link.

Arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Kerrville, Texas.

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Otis Ed “Bunk” Preuit was born March 9, 1944, to Dan and Etha Preuit in Lubbock, Texas. Bunk died peacefully at home on May 4, surrounded by his family. He was 76. 

Bunk was a son, dad, grandpa, husband, uncle, teacher, coach, friend and lover of most sports, especially basketball. He lived most of his childhood on his parents’ family ranch on the border of New Mexico and Texas. They relocated to Pagosa Springs his junior year of high school. In high school, he loved to play football and basketball and he ran track. He went on to play basketball at Fort Lewis College, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He followed in his parents’ footsteps and became a teacher. 

Bunk began his teaching and coaching career at Farmington High School, where he was the assistant basketball coach for four years. He took the head boys’ basketball coaching position in Lovington, N.M., in 1971. In 1977, Bunk moved back to Pagosa to teach at the junior high school. He took a few years off in the early ‘80s before returning to teach at Pagosa Springs High School and taking the boys’ basketball head coach position in 1987. In his teaching career, he taught science, American history, geography and P.E. Bunk retired from coaching basketball in 1995 to spend more time with his family. He retired from teaching in 2004.

In retirement, he and his wife, Marsha, were able to travel in their RV and spend the winter months in Mexico. In Mexico, he sought out all the best taco stands with the fun-loving group of friends they gained there and reunited with each winter. At home, he learned how to create beautiful wood bowls from exotic woods and even took piano lessons after he retired. His greatest joy was his grandchildren. He was able to spend a lot of time with his youngest four grandchildren and enjoy all their giggles. This past winter, he was able to enjoy his favorite place in Mexico with his favorite little people and create some great memories. 

Bunk is survived by his wife, Marsha; his daughter, Angel (Travis) Stahr; son Michael (Kari) Preuit; his sister, Ethalynn (Les) Tollett; grandchildren Shane Dejacimo, Victoria and Katie Lamb, Trian and Sloan Stahr, and Mikey and Kodi Preuit; and step-grandchildren Bailey and Nathyn Stahr. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Etha Preuit; his brother, Dale Preuit; and his eldest daughter, Julie Preuit Klocksiem. 

Stay tuned as a memorial will be planned for later date.

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Sharon Ann Meyer, age 73, went to be with her Lord on May 14. She died of complications from Parkinson’s, Parkinson’s dementia, and diabetes. 

Sherry was born to Dorothy and Robert O’Harra on Feb. 17, 1947, in Logansport, Ind. She grew up in Logansport until her junior year in high school at which time her family moved to Lafayette, Ind. After graduation from Lafayette Jefferson High School, she began her career as a chairside dental assistant for a children’s dental practice. During her early years in Lafayette, she met her future husband, Dan, and they were married on Aug. 20, 1966, at University Lutheran Chapel in West Lafayette on the campus of Purdue University. After his graduation, they moved to Lexington, Ky., where Sherry continued her career as a dental assistant in both private practice and at the University of Kentucky Dental School where she taught students how to use “four-handed dentistry.”

In 1974, they moved to Boulder, Colo., where she again continued her work in dentistry until their daughter, Deborah, was born on June 12, 1984. From that point on, she became a full-time mother and homemaker. Sherry was a member of the Boulder Orchid Club and enjoyed growing flowers and houseplants, gardening, cooking, camping and skiing. She also became interested in stained glass and designed and fabricated many stained glass works. Sherry was a Bronco fan and held season tickets for 13 years while living in Boulder. She also served on the school board at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church and School in Boulder.

In 1990, the family moved to Tucson, Ariz., where she was a troop leader for the Girl Scouts. She also served as room mom for Deborah’s class for several years at Fountain of Life Lutheran Church and School. Due to the intense heat of the Arizona desert, her gardening had to be put in hold.

In 1995, her family moved to Pagosa Springs where they still live. Sherry earned her certificate as a Colorado Master Gardener in 2000 and was happy to resume skiing and camping. She also served on the board of Parish Fellowship for many years at Our Savior Lutheran Church and School, where she taught HomeEc for a couple of years and once cooked 14 turkeys for the school’s Thanksgiving dinner. Her favorite vacation memory was a 2009 trip to Hawaii for 15 days, a gardener’s paradise. She loved her family and many friends and the times they had together.

Sherry is survived by her husband, Dan Meyer, of Pagosa Springs; her brother, Danny Shawn O’Harra (wife Peggy), of Greenville, S.C.; and daughter, Deborah Hainer (husband Tim), a 2002 Pagosa Springs High School graduate; and grandchildren Jacob, Lilah and Emma, all of Mayville,Wis. 

A memorial service will be held sometime in the future when churches are allowed to re-open. She was loved and will be missed.

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Charles Donald Lundergan (Don) passed away May 18 at his home on a lake in Pagosa Springs. He is survived by his wife, Elaine, and his four sons, Mike, Tim, Don and Dan, and their families. Don was born Sept. 24, 1923, in Washington, Ind. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame, where he was a member of the track team. Don was a proud veteran, having served in the Navy as LT (JG), U.S. Naval Reserve 1941-1946. He served in WWII in the South Pacific.

Don enjoyed the great outdoors, skiing, mountain climbing and physics. He set up a mountain rescue in the Sandia Mountains while working for Sandia National Laboratories. He worked for Sandia as a physicist from 1956-1986, including work in foreign intelligence the last 10 years of his career. Don was instrumental in the development of shock wave physics, developing groundbreaking theories still used today. Don was also a teacher, teaching physics and math at St. Louis University and Texas A&M. Don provided tutoring to students in his community well into his 90s. Don lectured, published and received numerous awards for his many contributions.

Don married the love of his life, Elaine, on April 1, 1972. They were married in Greece, after their request to be married by a witch doctor in the Congo was declined due to diplomatic issues. Don and Elaine traveled and explored the world together. Their loving, attentive relationship through nearly 50 years of marriage serves as a role model for those around them.

Don loved living in the Pagosa community and appreciated all of the friendship and support.

No services are planned at this time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Veterans Memorial Park: https://vetsmemorialpark.org or send mail to P.O. Box 2642, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147.

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Catherine (Cathy) Lynn (Crouse) Schutz, 38, was born Sept. 30, 1981, in Durango, Colo., to Steve and Sydney Crouse. Cathy passed away on May 28. 

Cathy graduated from Pagosa Springs High School in 2000 and attended the Culinary Arts Institute in Scottsdale, Ariz. 

Cathy married Adam Schutz on Dec. 7, 2011. Cathy and Adam lived in Colorado, Texas, Oregon, Montana and Nebraska. Cathy made so many friends along the way. Adam, Chase and Maci were her life. She loved being a mom and wife. 

And, that girl could cook! Her dad, Steve, taught her to can, which just added to the wonders that came out of her kitchen. She had so many specialties that you just can’t name them all! Cathy was a representative for Pampered Chef and Tupperware, which allowed her to work in the field that was her passion. 

Cathy is survived by her husband, Adam; son Chase; daughter Maci; parents Steve and Sydney Crouse; brothers Randy and Stephen; many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Adam will take Cathy to her final resting place at Banded Peaks and Elephant Rock where she, Chase and Adam fell in love. Maci joined the family in Oregon to make their family complete. 

Cathy loved her early morning coffee so everyone is invited to have coffee with Cathy at the end of County Road 382, also known as Navajo River Road, in Chromo, Colo., on June 6 at 9 a.m.

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Robert Leslie Harbison, 64, of Belton, Texas, formerly of Georgetown, Texas, passed away on May 26, after numerous medical and surgical complications. Known as an unstoppable force of nature, Rob was determined to live as boldly as possible even at the end of his life, demonstrating his characteristic resilience and determination even in the face of overwhelming odds. He passed while surrounded by family. 

Rob was born in 1955 to Clifford Harbison, an entrepreneur, and Charlotte McConnell Harbison, a homemaker, both of Odessa, Texas. He was the elder brother of Doug, Drew and Elizabeth. Growing up in rugged west Texas, Rob developed a passion for the outdoors, particularly for fly-fishing, hunting and sight-seeing. As a teen, he attended Permian High School, earning accolades for his football performance on the Permian Panthers, the team of Friday Night Lights fame. He additionally ran track and performed well in academics. Following high school, he attended Odessa Community College, Texas Tech University and ultimately the University of Texas at Austin, receiving dual degrees in business administration and English. Following brief graduate studies in business, he began his career in real estate, finance and property development. Rob thrived in the Austin community, focusing on helping the less fortunate as he gained personal success. He will be remembered for his love of the National Parks System, animals and shock humor as well as his enjoyment of beer, a good steak and the classic combination of Vienna sausages and saltine crackers. He was a big fan of music across diverse genres and his family remembers his jam sessions to The Doors, Fleetwood Mac, Blondie and even to the classical works of Vivaldi. His admiration for Christina Aguilera and Lady Gaga were implicit. A jack-of-all trades, his family retains stories of his adventures as an exotic game rancher, amateur football league coordinator and supreme grill master of all the red meats. Most of all, they remember the boldness of his life and his zeal for productivity in all that he did.

Though he may be gone in body, his memory will remain legend. He is survived by his wife, Fran Knox, of Belton, Texas. Additionally, he has four children with his former wife, Cindy Patton Harbison: Brooks Harbison, a psychologist studying in Louisville, Ky.; Beau, owner of Mitchell Auto Sales, and wife, Grace Harbison, of the U.S. Virgin Islands; Barrett Harbison, project consultant of Dallas, Texas; and Bradie Harbison, a mental health counselor of Austin, Texas. His surviving siblings include Doug and Kim Harbison of the U.S. Virgin Islands; Drew and Anna Harbison, of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; and Elizabeth Rall, of Austin, Texas. His father-in-law and lifelong friend is Douglas Bernard Patton, of Clute, Texas. A man known for building large social networks, Rob had multiple honorary family members, including Ross Duncan and Brian Frost. Rob has many friends in Georgetown and the surrounding area, and he will be greatly missed. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews across the U.S., all of whom he adored. 

In lieu of flowers, Rob wanted donations made to Yellowstone National Park, one of his favorite places on earth. His family plans to spread his ashes there during a private event where they can remember and honor him in his most sacred of places.

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The world has lost a great storyteller and wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend to many. Peter Alastair Dickson was born in Grootfontein, Namibia, on Aug 23, 1949, to Alastair and Eileen Dickson, where his father was a mining engineer. Peter died on May 24 after a long battle with esophageal cancer. He lived in Namibia until the age of 5 and the family then moved to Turkey. He returned to the U.K for schooling. Peter received his BSc degree in geology in 1971 at Leeds University, where he met his future wife, Louise (Lou) Ellen Dickson (née Van Vleck). They married Aug 12, 1972, in Topeka Kan., but lived in Manchester, England, while they both completed their master’s degrees. They moved to Pittsburgh in January 1975 so that Pete could complete his Ph.D. in geology (1977) and conduct postdoctorate research and teaching. 

In March 1978, Peter joined Harza Engineering Company, an employee-owned consulting company based in Chicago that specialized in water resource engineering and serving around the world. He spent the next 40 plus years working on projects mainly in many remote, mountainous regions,\ where water scarcity and value is of extreme significance. Taking after his linguist brother, Peter’s aptitude with languages and ability to socialize in different world cultures contributed to his success in his overseas work.

Lou and Peter have two children, Alison (proud mother of grandson, Alastair) and Hamish (married to Jenn Han, of Los Angeles). At various times, Lou and the family would join him for a remote adventure. Throughout his life, mountain life and scenery remained important and for this reason, Lou and Pete decided to buy a house in Pagosa Springs, Colo., 22 years ago, and have actively participated in Pagosa life whenever they could. He was particularly proud of his membership in the Grey Wolves and skied at Wolf Creek or met up with them for their social gatherings whenever he had a chance.

Outside his professional life, Peter was an enthusiastic outdoorsman, artist, writer, skier, potter and devoted family man. His life revolved around the family and their interests and the community. He served as chief referee from the beginning of AYSO in Evanston and coached Hamish’s Team Evanston. He was also well-known for his cooking, BBQ and charcuterie, especially his bacon. Because of his life and travels around the world, he could always bring to an evening’s gathering an extra flair and taste in the menu. 

Pete is survived by his wife of 47 years, Lou Dickson; their daughter, Alison; their son, Hamish, and his wife, Jenn Han; their grandson, Alastair; his brother, Christopher (Sonia); sister-in-law Faye Sprately (Bill); and nieces and nephews Marijke, Madeleine, Femke, Douglas, Alessandro, Bill and Bob; and grandnieces/grandnephews Lauren, Amy, Jade-Lynn, Taylor, Fellen, Skye and Neal. He will be sorely missed. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Those of you who wish can send a remembrance in his name can send it to: Planet Water Foundation, planet-water.org; Water Aid, wateraid.org; Water.org; or a charity of your choice. 

Follow these topics: Obituaries

On June 7, at the age of 89, our beautiful mother, Juanita Jaramillo Gallegos, passed from this life into the next to be with her Lord and Savior.

Juanita was born May 18, 1931, to Eudoro and Pilar Jaramillo, near Lumberton, N.M. She was the fourth of nine children and the eldest daughter. Juanita was raised on a ranch and loved the farming and ranching life. She loved to be outdoors helping her father and siblings with all manner of planting and gardening chores. 

On May 3, 1949, Juanita married Alfredo Gallegos, thus, the start of what we fondly call the “Gallegos Nation.” They started their married life in Lumberton and made their way to Pagosa Springs in 1959, their permanent home. In the home on South 9th Street, they raised their 14 children, and in time her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren (106 total at the time of her passing) would receive the blessing of her incredible gifts of love and caring for others. Each had a special place in her mind and in her heart. 

The daughter of a penitente, Juanita was a devout Christian. She spent so much of her life in prayer for others and in service to her church, where for over 30 years on every Wednesday, she led a rosary until her health prevented her from attending church. For many years, she was often asked by Catholic parishioners to lead and recite funeral rosaries at church, especially for the Spanish-speaking community, and those who had lost their loved ones and needed someone to help them. Juanita was always there for people in need.

A friend and inspiration to many, her door was always open to her many friends and her abundant family. She always had a pot of coffee on, or lunch on the table. Many remember her delicious tortillas, but really everything she made had that magic taste. She had a welcoming heart and welcomed anyone into her home, including occasional classes from our local high school who would come to her home for a cooking lesson or a southwest history lesson. 

Juanita is survived by her children: Sarah Sutton, Chris Gallegos, Lawrence Gallegos (Jessie), Ernest Gallegos (Mardel), Dorothy Gallegos (Trent Gamez), Alfred Gallegos Jr. (Tara Severs), Eleanor Gallegos, Stella McFatridge (Harvey), Anna Appenzeller (Tom), Sandra Schultz (Gary Batson), Nyana Janowsky (Dan), David Gallegos (Tina), Leticia Olson (Nick), and Anjelica Cardenas (Lorenzo). She was also survived by numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Alfredo Gallegos; her parents, Eudoro and Pilar Jaramillo; siblings Ruben Jaramillo, Flaminio Jaramillo, Eudorito Jaramillo; and by her daughter-in-love, Darlene Gallegos.

We are deeply thankful to our sister, Sarah Sutton, who devoted herself to the loving care of our mom for many years. More than that, Sarah was a beautiful friend and companion to our mother. Thank you!

Juanita’s loving spirit and strong faith won her the deep respect and devotion of all of her children. The foundation of our family, the rock to many, her absence will leave a void that will take time to fill. Though she will be missed beyond measure, we know in our heart of hearts that she is with her heavenly father. For her, the sun here has set, but it has arisen anew for her in that joyful place where we will see her again someday.

A private funeral Mass will be held at Pope John Paul II Catholic Church on Wednesday, June 10, at 10 a.m. followed by burial at the Juanita Cemetery in Juanita, Colo. The funeral Mass will be livestreamed at http://demo.popejohnpauliichurch.org/jp-ii-in-action/mass-streaming-online/ beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Eddie Franklin Wood (69), known to his friends as Woody, died on May 30 in Santa Fe, N.M. He leaves behind a wife of 25 years, Susan K. Rollins, of Pagosa Springs; his mother, Rosa Daley, of Johnstown, Pa.; a brother, Fred Wood, of Lynchburg, Va.; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. 

 After more than 30 years of operating a welding business in Washington, D.C., Woody and Su moved to Pagosa in 2011, where he was able to indulge regularly in his beloved outdoor pursuits — skiing, hiking, climbing, hunting and camping. He had completed nearly 150 miles on the Continental Divide Trail, over 40 fourteeners, six Grand Canyon hikes and hundreds of days on the slopes. He was a regular volunteer at Loaves and Fishes; in lieu of flowers or food, please send donations to them. A memorial gathering will be held in early September to spread his ashes — details to follow. He will be missed.

Tracy Renee Reavis, daughter of Rice and Merline, passed away May 24. She graduated from Pagosa Springs High School, then from Colorado State University, then from Physician Assistant School at University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver. She then worked as a PA in Moab, Utah, then in Cortez, Colo., where she met and married Gary Cottom. They moved to Farmington, N.M., where they raised a family and she continued to work as a PA and mother. 

Tracy is survived by her husband, Gary Cottom; her children, Aspyn and Kole Cottom; her father, Rice Reavis; her brother, Jay Reavis; her sister, Samantha McCurley; and her nieces, Nicole Reavis and Crysta Sladek. She was preceded in death by her mother, Merline McCurley. 

Tracy was loved and will be remembered by her family, friends, patients and all who met her. 

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. May she rest in peace.

Mark Steven Reese died Monday, June 1, after suffering complications from surgery. Mark was born on Nov. 28, 1958, in Louisville, Ky., to Jesse Cowell Reese and Bertha Rose Redford. Mark was the youngest of five children. During his early years, he lived in Japan and Germany, moving wherever his father was stationed in the military. After returning stateside, he lived in Newport News, Va., eventually moving to Lawton, Okla., when he was 16. There he met some of his closest friends and his future wife, Jeanna Ezzell Reese. Mark moved to Pagosa Springs in 1978. Although he moved on occasion to other locations, he always came back to Pagosa Springs, the place he felt was home.

Mark was a talented musician and song writer, an artist and a carpenter by trade. He had a very sensitive soul and a kind heart. He was very witty and funny, creating different characters and preforming impromptu comedy acts. He produced two studio albums of his own music on which he sang lead and played acoustic guitar and harmonica.

Mark and his wife, Jeanna, reconnected at their 20th year high school reunion in Lawton, Okla. Both were living in Colorado and they began dating, with Mark eventually moving to Colorado Springs. They married on Aug. 5, 2000, in Pagosa Springs, Colo. Mark was happy in Colorado Springs, but he always wanted to go back to Pagosa Springs and convinced Jeanna to move there in 2008. 

Mark is survived by his wife, Jeanna Reese; his son, Samuel Quiring (Summer); his father, Jesse Reese (Betty); his brothers, Ray Reese and Greg Reese (Julia); his sisters, Linda du Kor (Paul) and Pam Copeland (Jack); five grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Mark was preceded in death by his mother, Bertha Rose Redford Reese.

A graveside service was held for Mark on Friday, June 5, at Hilltop Cemetery in Pagosa Springs, Colo., officiated by Forrest Bohlen, where friends and family gathered to say goodbye and listen to a little of his music. A reception was hosted afterwards at the home of Clay Campbell and Laura Daniels.

Gwyn Elizabeth Lewis committed her life and career to social justice in education, guided by her compassion and joy in working with children and students from all cultures. She died on May 26 at her home in Fort Collins, Colo., where she had been working as a STEM instructor for Play-Well TEKnologies. Born on March 4, 1982, in Healdsburg, Calif., she was 38 years old. 

Gwyn had a gift for languages and was a fearless traveler of the world. She had a passport full of stamps from her journeys across Asia and beyond. Her passion for understanding the differences between how diverse cultures learn and communicate fueled her career. 

This passion started early when she was chosen to be a Rotary International exchange student to Mumbai, India. After a year living in India, she graduated from Pagosa Springs High School, Colo., in 2000. 

At the University of Colorado, Boulder, Gwyn continued to pursue her interests earning a bachelor of arts degree in both international affairs and Asian studies with a minor in Mandarin Chinese. For several years, she coordinated the International Conference on World Affairs hosted annually by the university before graduating magna cum laude with distinction in 2005.

In 2008, Gwyn moved to Shenzhen, China, where she was a teacher and on-site coordinator with the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTLC) with Peking University. During her five years in Shenzhen, she quickly became a leader of the program as the primary liaison between teachers, public schools, the CTLC and the Shenzhen City Education Bureau, often conversing only in Chinese.

Returning to the United States, Gwyn earned a master of science degree in urban and multicultural education at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale, N.Y., in 2013. While at the college, she was an adjunct professor of international studies, ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) instructor of international students at the college, and an ELS (English as a Second Language) assistant instructor at a nearby elementary school.

Later at the University of Arizona, Tucson, she was a Ph.D. graduate student and teaching assistant in language, reading and culture with an emphasis on inclusive education and linguistics. She genuinely respected others’ traditions and backgrounds and worked to bridge language and cultures. 

Gwyn traveled with an open heart. She loved discovering what was around the next corner and would wander the cities and villages rather than spend her time seeing the known tourist destinations. She wanted to talk with the people to understand them, their lives and their culture — somehow communicating beyond any language barriers. It was not unusual for her to stop by the open fire of a family cooking dinner outside their home and start a conversation. The exchange would go from there to a shared meal. 

Gwyn enthusiastically shared her insight and global perspective with fellow teachers and students of all ages from all over the world. In Tucson, she was a volunteer teacher with the Native American Summer Institute at the university. She was also an English-class coordinator and teacher for immigrant families for the Iskashitaa Refugee Network, helping refugees from Nepal and Somalia.

Before moving to Fort Collins, Gwyn worked in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, as an English teacher with the Global Leadership University. 

Gwyn found peace in the outdoors, especially the Colorado Rockies. She loved snowboarding, rock climbing, the aspen trees through the seasons and laughingly telling stories over the campfire. She was an avid reader, exceptional at card games and a fan of both the Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos. She always felt at home watching the sun set over a baseball game with her family. 

She was an enrolled tribal member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation and is survived by her loving parents, Roger Lewis and Elizabeth (Lissa) Hartzell, and brother Harlan Lewis.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations in honor of Gwyn Lewis be made to Planned Parenthood and/or a food bank serving children and their families.

Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure; you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

In memory of Santana Lujan, June 16, 2016.

Born Mamie Ruth Holder in Winthrop, Ark., on May 9, 1932, and departed this earth on June 4, at the age of 88. Mamie was a woman ahead of her time and a true trailblazer. Mamie was offered a contract with a women’s professional traveling basketball team, The All-American Redheads, prior to finishing high school. The school allowed her to begin traveling with the team at mid-season and then return in May for graduation. You can imagine the amazing experience of a rural girl, who had scarcely been out of her county, getting on a bus and meeting up with the team in Montana. Her team played over 200 games a year, always against the best men’s team local towns could put up. The Redheads were part comedy and basketball trickery, but they were also highly skilled players. She played two seasons with the Redheads, still managing to graduate valedictorian, before moving to Colorado with her family where she met and married Doug Lynch.

Shortly after her children were born, Mamie became a working mother. In 1958, she started working for the Archuleta School District as a secretary and quickly became one of the few women in the role of school finance manager in the state. Mamie worked for the district for over 20 years and was known for her financial acumen and tight budget controls. I’ve been told that if anyone in the district got a note in red pen saying “see me” signed Mamie R. Lynch, you knew a budget issue was going to be firmly discussed. 

Around the time of her retirement from the district, an effort had been initiated to build a new high school gymnasium. Mamie’s financial skills in securing bond funding and a repayment plan within an existing budget was so impressive to district leadership that the gym, now the middle school main gym, was named after her. If you attended basketball games in the ‘60s at the original Pagosa High Gym, you’ll remember that Mamie was a fixture there serving as the official scorer for all basketball games over many years.

Upon retirement from the schools, Mamie started her second act and it was a grand one. She ran for Archuleta County Commissioner in the mid-1980s and won, becoming the first woman to be elected to that position in this county. She loved the work and thrived in this new role. She was known for being a good listener, a highly principled decision maker and a true nonpartisan servant to the community she loved. After a string of victories in many of life’s arenas, Mamie was defeated when she sought re-election by some outside carpetbagger whose name I can’t recall. This is worth mentioning because it illustrates the amazing resilience she displayed throughout her life. After sitting out of politics for a few years and entering her 70s, she decided to run again. She was a tireless campaigner, knocking on every door in the county, and then won for a second time. Mamie would say that being commissioner was the best job she ever had. She always spoke most fondly of serving with Bob Formwalt and Jerry Martinez because politics took a back seat to doing what was best for the county.

During those years between commissioner terms, Mamie also served as the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce and served on the school board and the Mary Fisher Hospital board. Mamie was a charter member of the Round-up Board at LPEA and is still remembered fondly for her compassion and dedication. Mamie was a devoted Rotarian and served the club as president. She was also grand marshal for the Fourth of July parade on two occasions and was executor of the Ruby Sisson estate and managed that scholarship fund for two decades.

When not working and serving in these public roles, Mamie grew a fantastic garden and used her early evening gardening sessions to relax and de-stress. She took great pride in her garden as she did every other aspect of her life. Many have admired her bountiful garden on Hermosa Street, with one observer noting, “only the Anasazi and Mamie Lynch can grow corn in this climate.”

Mamie was a one-of-a-kind grandmother who was always up for cooking, teaching and playing endless hours of board games. She truly was always willing and eager, whether that was making homemade ice cream, fried green tomatoes or calzones the size of your head. She always joked, but never followed through on selling grandchildren to the circus. Mamie was a sounding board for her grandchildren, listening without judgment and giving sage advice. There was no wound or hurt that she could not assuage. She was someone who always made things better. 

Quiet times on winter evenings were spent knitting, reading and doing puzzles. Up until the last weeks of her life, her mind was sharp as a tack and she exercised it by completing the crossword puzzle published in The SUN every week.

Mamie will be deeply missed by her family and everyone that knew her and her memory will live on for all of us who love our families and believe in serving the community in which we live; she is everlasting. 

Mamie was one of 10 children and is survived by sisters Thelma McMinn and Francis Homan. Her children are Loretta Parks, Linda Cahill, Steve Lynch, Bob Lynch (Livia Lynch) and Patty Wagner. 

Her grandchildren are Nicki Parks, Steve Cahill, Chris Cahill (Catie Cahill), Jamie Cahill, Jessica Lynch, Mesa Lynch, Cade Wagner and Kelsey Wagner.

Great-grandchildren are Jordyn Parks, Miles Cahill, Olivia Cahill and Alec Cahill. Many nieces and nephews always enjoyed spending time with their “favorite” aunt.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Douglas Lynch; her son, Steve Lynch; two infant sisters; her parents, Robert and Jewel Holder; and siblings Mozelle Herman, Mabel Dunnigan, Robert Holder, Florence Hovland and Roy Holder.

A celebration of the amazing life Mamie lived will be held later in the year when we can gather safely in her yard on Hermosa Street. The family will post a notice when a date has been set.