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Bobby Jack Bates Sr.
Mancos resident Bobby Jack Bates Sr. died Saturday, June 12, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center in Durango. He was 68.
Mr. Bates was born on March 12, 1936, to Albert and Meady Bates. He married Mary Grace Gillespie in Texas in 1977.
He was an avid hunter and traveled around the world pursuing his hobby, gleaning 160 mounts of animals. Mr. Bates belonged to the Dallas Safari Club and was the club president in 1982.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Bates, of Avalon, Texas; a daughter, Karen Carns of Phoenix; a son, Bobby Bates Jr. of Valley View, Texas; a stepdaughter, Paige Frome of Richardson, Texas; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Bates will be held in Texas, and memorial services will be held later in Mancos.
Erva T. Knight
Erva T. Knight died Monday, June 14, 2004, at Four Corners Health Care Center of natural causes. She was 98.
Mrs. Knight was born May 29, 1906, in Clayton, N.Y., to Merritt John and Marion Webster Teeple.
When she was 89, Mrs. Knight moved to Silverton to be closer to her children, said her son David Yates.
She was an avid reader, wrote poetry and enjoyed long walks with good conversation along the way.
"She walked six blocks four times a week until very recently," said Yates. "And she continued to write poetry until she died."
Mrs. Knight is survived by her son David Yates of Silverton and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Knight was preceded in death by her husband, William Lloyd Knight, and her daughter Rhilda Yates Millis.
Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary in Durango.
Gary Lee Patrick
Durango native and Fort Lewis College graduate Gary Lee Patrick died Sunday, June 13, 2004, at Four Corners Health Care Center of cancer. He was 51.
Mr. Patrick was born in Durango on Jan. 4, 1953. His family later moved to Gallup, N.M., where he attended Gallup High School and played in the band. He attended the University of New Mexico for three years and later graduated from Fort Lewis College at the age of 45.
Mr. Patrick ran the family farm and worked in the oil fields for 20 years. He later operated his own business, Patrick Farm and Land, and did construction.
"He had a zest for life and never wasted a minute," said his wife, Robyn Patrick. "He would say to me every morning, 'OK little missy, daylight's burning,' even if it there wasn't daylight yet."
Mr. Patrick loved outdoor sports, especially water skiing, fishing, camping and horseback riding. He also enjoyed professional sports and was an avid fan of car racing. When he was 16, he built his own racing car, a Z28 Camaro.
He was preceded in death by his son, Kelly Wells Patrick.
Mr. Patrick is survived by his wife, Robyn Patrick, of Ignacio; his parents, Lee and Jean Patrick of Ignacio; a son, Ryan Patrick of Ignacio; a daughter, Heidi Trembley of Colorado Springs; a stepson, Michael Horn of Durango; a stepdaughter, Melissa Watkins of Durango; a sister, Sharon Edgin of Albuquerque; two grandchildren; and a nephew.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Ignacio East Cemetery. The Rev. Scott Caujth will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Patrick W. Luter Cancer Center, 3801 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301.
Ervin 'Tex' Mankins
Ervin "Tex" Mankins, a 46-year resident of Bayfield, died Saturday, June 12, 2004, after an auto accident at the intersection of U.S. Highway 160 and U.S. Highway 160B in Bayfield. He was 82.
Mr. Mankins was born Nov. 12, 1921, in Belton, Texas, to Isaac Johnson and Annie Love Russell Mankins. He married Mayna A. Lowery in Hollywood Beach, Calif., in 1947.
Mr. Mankins attended Texas A&M University and later served in the Pacific Theater during World War II as a first lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, 6th Squadron on the Night Fighters.
After moving to Bayfield in 1958, he worked in dairy farming and cattle ranching. Mr. Mankins enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, spending his winters in Sedona, Ariz., and Desert Hot Springs, Calif.
Mr. Mankins is survived by three daughters, Terry Sower and Judy Farnam, both of Bayfield, and Sandra Jones of Stroud, Okla.; two sons, John Mankins and Thomas Mankins, both of Bayfield; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mayna A. Lowery; his second wife, Diana Cady; a son, Robert Mankins; and a grandson, Joshua Mankins.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at the Florida Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Dan Straw officiating.
Contributions may be made to the Pine River Public Library in Bayfield, or to a favorite local charity.
Myron W. 'Mike' Johns
Myron W. "Mike" Johns, 67, who was a professor in the school of education and a grant administrator at Fort Lewis College, died Thursday, May 20, 2004, in Bozeman, Mont., from cancer.
He was born Oct. 19, 1936, in Larned, Kan., the only child of Zorhayda (Wheeler) Johns and Harley C. Johns.
Mr. Johns attended public schools in Larned, Kan., and graduated from Larned Senior High School. He began his college education on a golf scholarship, attending Emporia State University in Emporia, Kan., the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., and the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyo. Mr. Johns' degrees include a bachelor of science, master of science and doctorate of education.
He married his childhood sweetheart, Shirlee Barr, and they had four children. They later divorced.
Besides his tenure at Fort Lewis College, Mr. Johns was academic dean at Colby Community College in Colby, Kan.; dean of men, assistant dean and director of alumni relations at the University of Wyoming; and director of university relations and executive director of the MSU Foundation at Montana State University in Bozeman.
It was at Montana State University that Mr. Johns met and married Sharon (Ziegler) Johns.
During the last decades of his business life, Mr. Johns was the founder and president of a nationwide consulting business, Hospital Development Inc., setting up philanthropic foundations for hospitals.
He received many honors, including being named to Outstanding Young Men of America, Outstanding Educators of America, Leaders in Education,Who's Who in the WestandWho's Who in the Midwest.
Flying was a favorite pastime. Mr. Johns bought a Piper Commanche and covered much of the West and Midwest for business and pleasure. He also fished, hunted, skied and golfed. He was a football and basketball fan.
Mr. and Mrs. Johns traveled widely. He was thankful that he lived life each day and did not put off doing what was important to him. His family remembers that he said, "Life is not about longevity. It's about what you do with the time you have."
Mr. Johns is survived by his wife, Sharon Johns, of Bozeman; his mother, Zorhayda Johns of Thatcher, Ariz.; his children: Justin Johns of Friday Harbor, Wash., Julia Wilson of Safford, Ariz., Jana Stovarsky of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Joe Johns of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; his first wife, Shirlee Johns, of Safford; his grandchildren: Conner Johns and Kia Johns, both of Friday Harbor, Jessica Wilson and Melissa Wilson, both of Safford, Mikael Marie Stovarsky of Fairbanks, and Rachel Johns and Sam Johns, both of Coeur d'-Alene.
He is also survived by Mrs. John's children: Ross O'Hara Hulett of Colorado Springs; Shannon Vidmar of Bozeman, and Chad Hulett of Walla Walla, Wash.; her grandchildren: Arison O'Hara Hulett, Marielle O'Hara Hulett and Olivia O'Hara Hulett, all of Colorado Springs, Molly Vidmar and Hailey Vidmar, both of Bozeman and Anne Hulett of Walla Walla; several aunts, uncles, cousins; and many friends.
A celebration of Mr. Johns' life was held at Riverside Country Club in Bozeman on Thursday, May 27.
Donations may be made to the organization of choice or to Bozeman Deaconess Hospice, 915 Highland Blvd., Bozeman, MT 59715-6999 or Fort Lewis College Foundation,1000 Rim Drive Durango, CO 81301-3999.
Catherine Scurlock Zerbe
Catherine Scurlock Zerbe, 95, died June 11, 2004, at her home in Durango. "She just faded," said her daughter Suzanne Zerbe.
Mrs. Zerbe was born Aug. 16, 1908, in Jacksonville, Ill. She graduated from Polytechnic High School in Long Beach, Calif., in 1926, and from Pomona College in Clairmont, Calif., with a degree in nutrition in 1930. Mrs. Zerbe married Arthur LeVan Zerbe in 1929 in San Bernardino, Calif., and spent her life as a homemaker.
Mrs. Zerbe is survived by her children: Madeline, Anthony and Suzanne; her grandchildren: Dana, Llori, Elizabeth, Catherine, Jennet, Leah, Jared and Christopher; and her great-grandchildren: James, Rachel, Morgan, Matthew, Sarah, Ayela, Moriah, Lee, Amanda, Madeline, Andrew and Danielle.
"Catherine lived a life of grace, beauty and intelligence. She was our delight," Zerbe said. "My mother's passing was as gentle as a whisper," she added. "But of course, because she always made everything easy," said her granddaughter Elizabeth.
No services are planned at this time.
Contributions may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 3801 N. Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301.
Charles Kenneth Walling
Charles Kenneth Walling, a longtime Durango resident, died at his home Thursday, June 10, 2004. He was 59.
Mr. Walling was born April 9, 1945, in Ardmore, Okla., to Charles Albert and Alta Faye Witham Walling. The family moved to Durango in 1952 and Mr. Walling graduated in 1963 from Durango High School where he was active in DeMolay, football and baseball. He attended Fort Lewis College and the University of Southern Colorado.
Mr. Walling married in 1966 and moved to Boulder, where he was a Colorado State Patrol trooper and later a Boulder County sheriff's deputy. In 1976, Mr. Walling, who had a passion for automobiles, returned to Durango to open KW Sandblasting, a business he loved. His other passion was the family farm. He loved farm animals, particularly Spook, half quarter horse, half Appaloosa, and Puppy, a German shepherd.
Mr. Walling's life centered around doing something for people he loved. One could find him welding, fixing or painting automobiles and farming. A dear friend, Tim Stettler, was always around helping Mr. Walling with his activities.
Mr. Walling's helpful attitude earned him the trust of friends and election as Commander of the American Legion. Mr. Walling considered his greatest accomplishments his children, Angie and Matt, and grandchildren Taylor and Madison.
"He will forever be in the hearts of his family and friends because we loved him," said his sister, Paulette Giambattista.
In addition to Giambattista, of Durango, Mr. Walling is survived by his daughter, Angela Farley of Missouri City, Texas; a son, Matthew Walling of Durango; granddaughters Taylor Farley and Madison Farley; and his niece, Meredith Giambattista. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service is scheduled at 4 p.m. Monday at the American Legion Hall in Durango. Cremation will be at Hood Mortuary.
Gordon Eugene Hill
Gordon Eugene Hill, 87, who lived in Durango from 1953-63 and worked on Lemon Dam, died Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at home in Glenwood Springs with his four daughters. He died of pancreatic cancer, said his daughter, Catherine Bullock.
Mr. Hill was born March 2, 1917, in Longmont, the first of four children of Frances M. Hill and Walter M. Hill. He grew up in several Front Range cities and in Bellfield, N.D., where he lived for four years.
He graduated from Longmont High School in 1935. In 1940 he was awarded a bachelor of science degree in civil and irrigation engineering from Colorado A&M College, now Colorado State University, in Fort Collins.
On Sept. 26, 1940, he married Marie Patricia Casey of Longmont in St. Joseph's Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Mr. Hill went to work for the Tennessee Valley Authority in Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina. He entered the military in 1943, serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineering Corps, the Seabees, during World War II. He served in the U.S. and South Pacific until February 1946, and, after that, in the reserves.
After his service, Mr. Hill went to work for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. He worked for the bureau until he retired in 1973. With the bureau, he lived in Fort Collins, Loveland, Durango, Salida, and Glenwood Springs.
"He dearly loved Durango and its people and was bitterly disappointed when he was reassigned," Bullock said.
Mr. Hill worked as a project planner, construction supervisor and contract administrator on large irrigation projects, including the Big Thompson Project and Lemon and Reudi dams.
After he retired, Mr. Hill stayed in Glenwood Springs for the last 31 years of his life.
He was a member of St. Stephen's Catholic parish and the Knights of Columbus. He was a downhill skier and fisherman. He enjoyed hunting, golfing, swimming, bicycling and gardening.
Mr. Hill was preceded in death by his wife, Marie C. Hill and his great-grandson, Vicente Bullock.
He is survived by his daughters: Catherine Bullock of Albuquerque; Jacqueline Durrett of Glenwood Springs, Margaret Mortensen of Divide Creek and Patricia Hill of Glenwood Springs; his sisters: Gladys McCann of Sedro Wooley, Wash. and Patsy Dyekman of Cheyenne, Wyo.; his grandchildren: Victor Bullock and Vicente Bullock, both of Albuquerque; Dominic Durrett of Hummelstown, Pa., Boone Mortensen of Rifle, McKeaver Bershenyi of Glenwood Springs, Abbey Doyle of Johnson Creek, Wis.; and his ten great-grandchildren.
A rosary will be said at 7 p.m. today at Farnum-Holt Mortuary in Glenwood Springs. A Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Stephen's Church. The Rev. Joseph Boyle of St. Benedict's Monastery will officiate. Burial will be in Rosebud Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 123 North Seventh St., Grand Junction 81501 or to Roaring Fork Hospice, P.O. Box 1970, Glenwood Springs 81602
Chris E. Marler
A memorial service will be held in honor of Chris E. Marler who died Monday, May 24, 2004, from injuries suffered in a dirt bike accident.
The service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Hood Mortuary. Mourners are encouraged to wear Broncos gear and bring stories to share.
After the service, a celebration of Mr. Marler's life will be held at Carolyn and Rob Hately's house, 40 Chinle Place. Call 247-2318 for directions.
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