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Thomas Thos Welsh
A memorial service is planned for Thomas Thos Welsh at 1 p.m. Sunday July 20, near the gazebo in Rotary Park.
Come with memories, appreciation, a song, a story, to celebrate the life of Thomas Welsh who died on July 13. Everyone is welcome. Bring a chair or blanket and musical instruments.
Thomas Welsh, 61, a Durango resident, died of a heart attack Sunday, July 13, 2003, in Durango.
Mr. Welsh was born February 2, 1942, in Beaver Falls, Pa., to Sarah and Thomas Welsh Sr. After growing up in the Los Angeles area, he served in the Navy for four years, primarily in the Philippines.
Returning to the mainland, he studied chemistry and worked first in a laboratory, later as a corporate purchaser. He moved to northern California to fish commercially before changing his emphasis to pilot hot-air balloons and start a balloon company.
He met his current wife, Davida Millburn, at this time while studying a body-therapy technique with a teacher who also taught him to restore Persian and Oriental rugs.
The Welshes were married in June 1988 in Santa Rosa, Calif. Mr. Welsh traveled with his balloons before moving to Durango seven years ago.
Mr. Welsh was, with his wife, part of the Restorative Alliance. This expresses his essence restoring injured people through body therapy, restoring houses by remodeling and restoring damaged rugs by reweaving.
"Thos resembled a wizard from a fairy tale who exhorts us to wake up," said his friend, Chuck Reames. Mr. Welsh was an artist whose paintings have been exhibited in the Durango Arts Center. He had an interest in philosophy and the meaning of life. He studied and read widely, and he volunteered his time to the congregation of the Unity in Spirit church.
He is survived by his third wife, Davida Millburn of Durango; his sister, Sally Setlack of Ontario, Calif., and his brother, Michael Welsh of Memphis, Tenn.
Private services will be held at a later date and cremation will take place at Hood Mortuary Crematory. A contribution may be made to Habitat for Humanity.
Come with memories, appreciation, a song, a story, to celebrate the life of Thomas Welsh, who died July 13. Everyone is welcome. Bring a chair or blanket and musical instruments.
Robert Campbell Duthie
Robert Campbell Duthie, longtime resident of Durango, died Saturday, July 12, 2003, at his home. He was 76.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Duthie.
He is survived by three sons, Bobby Duthie and Chris Duthie, both of Durango, and Matt Duthie of Aurora; two daughters, Gigi Duthie of Durango, and Toni Savastano of Wichita, Kans.; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A private service for the family will be held.
Qunisa Gabrielle Rayburn
Qunisa Gabrielle Rayburn, 12, died Saturday, July 12, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center from complications from a tumor, according to her family.
Miss Rayburn was born Jan. 15, 1991, in Orem, Utah, and lived near Kline, southwest of Durango.
Miss Rayburn was described by her parents, Eric and Amy Rayburn, as a happy and giving person.
"She has a big smile and was always fun and entertaining," her parents said.
Miss Rayburn is survived by her father, Eric L. Rayburn; mother, Amy L. Slade; siblings Mason, Miranda, Justis, Madisen and Conner, all of Kline; grandparents Carmen Slade of Kline, and Kenneth and Georgia Rayburn of Bloomfield, N.M.; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today from 4 to 7 p.m. at Hood Mortuary, 1261 East Third Ave., in Durango.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Carmen Slade family homestead, 126 County Road 122, in Kline.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Qunisa G. Rayburn Memorial Fund, c/o First National Bank of Durango, P.O. Box 2910, Durango 81302.
Michael P. Blanchard
Michael P. Blanchard, a five-year resident of Bayfield, died at his home there on Tuesday, July 8, 2003. He was 60.
The cause of death was cancer, said his wife, Johnna Blanchard.
Mr. Blanchard was born March 11, 1943, in Three Rivers, Mich., to William and Vera Blanchard. He served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War.
Mr. Blanchard, an insurance company claims adjuster for almost 25 years, married Johnna L. Ryan on Jan. 5, 1989, in Phoenix.
"He was an outgoing, easy-going and very funny guy," Mrs. Blanchard said.
A classic-car fan and hot-rod restorer, Mr. Blanchard was an officer in the Over the Hill Gang car club. He also fished and hunted, both lifelong passions.
Mr. Blanchard is survived by his wife, Johnna; son Bill Blanchard of Chandler, Ariz.; daughter Michelle Blanchard of Scottsdale, Ariz.; sister Sheri Steward of Portage, Mich.; and brother Steve Blanchard of Vicksburg, Miss.
Graveside burial is scheduled at 10 a.m., Saturday at Bayfield Cemetery. The Rev. James W. Newman will preside.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 375 E. Park Ave., Durango 81301 or to the American Red Cross.
Arthur Walsh
Arthur Walsh, 80, died at his home in Durango on Monday, June 30, 2003. He died of natural causes, according to his family.
Mr. Walsh was born in Houghton, Mich., in 1923 and raised in Winnetka, Ill., attending North Shore Country Day School from 1935 to 1941.
He served with the U.S. Infantry in World War II from 1943 to 1945, where he was captured and was a prisoner of war. He was awarded a Purple Heart.
In 1947, Mr. Walsh graduated from Princeton University with a degree in economics. After moving to Denver, he married Loretta Wood. They raised six children during their 19 years together.
Mr. Walsh worked for the Armour Meat Company in Salida before moving to Durango with his family in 1958. He entered into partnership with Bob McBride in a Farmers Insurance Company agency until he bought Southwestern Beverage Company in 1963.
He managed the company for 25 years before he retired in 1988.
In 1968, Mr. Walsh married Ann Cowles Carter, with whom he enjoyed 35 years of marriage.
He joined the Electra Lake Sporting Club, where his family still maintains its cabin.
In the 1970s, Mr. Walsh served on the citys Financial Advisory Board.
He was a loyal fan of the Chicago Bears and the Chicago Cubs, often sighing, "Well, theyll win one of these years."
He quoted Shakespeare, and enjoyed air conducting Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Mozart.
He was a regular at Oscars Cafe in Durango.
He was cared for in his final days by Inez Guiterrez, Carla Wetherly, Sharlene Guiterrez and Barbara Contreras.
Mr. Walsh is survived by his wife, Ann; her son, Mike Carter; and his six children: Tim Walsh of Durango, Louise Mezirka of California, Will Walsh of Golden, Katie Walsh of Arizona, Drew Walsh of Durango and John Walsh; his sister, Mary Yates; and his grandchildren: Sara, Kevin, Lewis, Ananda, Arthur, Craig and Montana. Mr. Walshs newest granddaughter, Olivia, was born July 4, 2003.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Loretta, in 2000.
Cremation has taken place, and his children will hold a private memorial service.
Donations may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 375 E. Park Ave., Durango.
Dallas Reed Garner
Dallas Reed Garner died Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at Four Corners Health Care Center in Durango. He was 75. The cause of death was natural causes, in a statement received from Hood Mortuary.
Mr. Garner was born Feb. 1, 1928, in Grand Junction. He spent his childhood in Missouri and was raised by his grandfather, William T. Garner and two aunts, Vina McQuitty and Daisy Davis of College Mound, Missouri.
Mr. Garner was a veteran of World War II. He served in both the European and Pacific war zones with the U.S. Maritime Service.
Mr. Garner married Elsa Rosa Martha Zips, a German citizen, on Sept. 10, 1948, in Ansbach, Germany. They returned shortly thereafter to the United States and were married until her death in 1993.
For 35 years, Mr. Garner was an employee of Mountain Bell Telephone Company. He enjoyed gardening.
"My father always taught us not to bank our lives on people and things because they come and go, but to bank our lives on memories because no one can take them away from you," said Diana L.Garner.
Mr. Garner is survived by his second wife, Joyce, of Durango; three daughters, Debra A. Hotze of Arcata, Calif., Tammy S. Garner of Dolores, and Diana L. Garner of Durango; 12 grand-children, Issac Rhoades, Joshua Hotze, Ryan Hotze, Dustin Rhoades, Krystl Hotze, Whitney Willis, Savana Connolly, Evonne Willis, Alex Willis, Dakota Willis, Festus Willis; one great-grandchild; and numerous step-grandchildren.
Mr. Garner was preceded in death by his first wife, Elsa.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. July 15 at Hood Mortuary in Durango. The Rev. Myron Darmour, with Saint Marks Episcopal Church, will be officiating. Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE, 68410.
Joe C. Barger
Joe C. Barger, a Durango native, died Monday, July 7, 2003, at Homelake Veterans Center in Monte Vista. He was 79.
Mr. Barger was born on April 19, 1924, in Durango.
Mr. Barger served in World War II and the Korean War. He received two purple hearts, a bronze star and other medals in 20 years of service.
Mr. Barger was a loyal Rockies fan and a season-ticket holder for the Broncos. He enjoyed fishing.
Mr. Barger washed dishes at the New York Bakery. He used some of his earnings plus a portion of his retirement giving back to the community. He supported young people by paying for train rides and sporting events.
Marilyn Paxton, Mr. Bargers niece said, "He was a giving person, and he had a big heart."
In 1991, Mr. Barger married Ethel Sawyer.
Mr. Barger is survived by his wife; two nephews, Dan Paxton of Durango, and John Paxton of Hawaii.
Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. Friday at Hood Mortuary. A funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Hood Mortuary. Burial will follow at Greenmount Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Durango Baptist Youth Fund at 1440 Florida Road.
Christine Lovelace Boyd
Longtime Durango resident, Christine Lovelace Boyd, 77, died Thursday, July 3, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center in Durango. She died of natural causes, according to Hood Mortuary.
Mrs. Boyd was born June 19, 1926, in Wichita Falls, Texas, the daughter of Ray and Hattie Jones. Her mother owned Hatties Dress Shop in Durango.
Mrs. Boyd graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Texas Womens University in Denton, Texas. While in Texas, she worked for Lonestar Gas Co. and married William "Bill" Lovelace in 1948.
She moved to Durango in 1955 to work for the Conoco Oil Co. She was a member of the Jaycees, Eastern Star and the Presbyterian Church.
After being widowed in 1962, she married Robert E. Boyd in 1965. Then Mrs. Boyd worked for the La Plata County Court House for 17 years, until her retirement. She moved to Tok, Alaska, in 2000 to homestead. She gardened and used herbal remedies.
"She made each of us six children feel as if we were her favorite," said Rebecca Lovelace, Mrs. Boyds daughter.
Mrs. Boyd is survived by her daughters, Rebecca Lovelace of Albuquerque, and Carole A. Laybourne of Coppell, Texas; her sons, Britt Lovelace of Breen, Allen Boyd of Hotchkiss, Charles Boyd and Bob Boyd Jr., both of Laramie, Wyo.; her sister, Beth Dallas of Farmington; her grandchildren, Jessica Lovelace and Joshua Lovelace of Breen, Kyrie Boyd and Sierra Boyd of Dallas, Amanda Boyd and Josh Hornbeck of Hotchkiss, Ryan Boyd and Matthew Boyd of Nitro, W.Va., Rhyan Boyd and Cody Boyd of Elkton, Ky., and Kendall Boyd and Kelly Boyd of Laramie, Wyo.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Hood Mortuary Chapel. Bob and Eleanor Kujath and Lavonne and Jim Bryce will officiate. Cremation will take place at Hood Mortuary Crematory.
