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John R. Hood
A well-known community member, John R. Hood, 70, died on Monday, July 4, 2005. The cause of death was congestive heart failure.
Mr. Hood was born to Dennis R. and Ollie E. (Phelps) Hood on July 23, 1934, in Oklahoma City. He graduated from high school in Aurora and attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
He married Mary Jan Holliday on Sept. 17, 1955. The couple would have celebrated their 50 th wedding anniversa ry this fall.
After working as a foreman for the Wyoming Angus Ranch near Cheyenne, Wyo., Mr. Hood moved his family to Durango in 1959. After teaching for two years at Smiley Junior High School, Mr. Hood joined the first group of teachers to teach at the new Miller Junior High School in 1961. He taught biological science, math, shop and history in School District 9-R for 27 years.
"He always enjoyed teaching, whether with children or adults," said his wife. "If he could combine it with the outdoors, then all the better."
After his retirement from teaching, Mr. Hood worked for the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a number of years, where he put his skills to use as a boilermaker and brake repairman.
He was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Shrine Club, the National Rifle Association and the La Plata County Historical Society. In addition to being a life-long fan of rodeo, football and the outdoors, Mr. Hood was also interested in western lore, history and reading.
He is survived by his wife Mary Jane Hood of Durango; daughters Mary Beth Torres of Beavercreek, Ohio, Barbara Dunn of Durango and Rebecca Thomas of Wickenburg, Ariz.; son John R. Hood Jr. of Littleton; and six granddaughters.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the First United Methodist Church in Durango. Hospice of Mercy chaplain the Rev.Earl Caudill will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Shrine Club, P.O. Box 45, Durango, CO 81301, and designate it for family expenses in traveling to the Shriners' Hospital.
Myra Eloise Robertson
Former Durango resident Myra Eloise Robertson, 86, died Sunday, July 3, 2005, at the Hospice of the Valley in Scottsdale, Ariz. The cause of death was heart disease.
She was born in Hasty on Jan. 11, 1919, to Otto and Katherine (Hostetter) Ebright. After growing up in Eads, she married Ray Robertson there on Nov. 14, 1937.
She lived in Durango from 1952 to 1958 after having lived in La Junta for six years. While in Durango, she was a member of the Eastern Star and the First United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Robertson moved from Durango to Hobbs, N.M., where she lived until 1967. She then settled in Fort Collins, where she was an administrative assistant at Colorado State University for about 20 years. Her final residence was in Scottsdale, Ariz., whre she moved to live with her son and daughter-in-law Meryl and Sue Robertson.
Mrs. Robertson loved to play cards and bridge was her forte. She was a member of the Albuquerque chapter of Daughters of the Nile, the Moose Women, White Shrine and the Methodist Church of Fort Collins.
Her family said she was devoted to her sons.
She was preceded in death by her husband Ray in 1961, her son Gerry Robertson and her grandson Ernest Robertson.
Mrs. Robertson is survived by her sons Meryl Robertson of Scottsdale, Ariz, and Ernie Robertson of Houston, Texas; sisters Marjorie Mills of Denver and May Krueger of Woodlands, Texas; two grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday at Hood Mortuary. A graveside service will take place at 11 a.m. Friday at Greenmount Cemetery. David Fountain and the Order of the Eastern Star, La Plata Chapter No. 83, will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 1280 S, Parker Road, Denver, CO 80231.
Louis Jose Gonzales
A man who lived in Durango most of his life, Louis Jose Gonzales, 75, died Sunday, July 3, 2005, at Four Corners Health Care Center. The cause of death was complications from a series of strokes.
He was born to Crecencio and Beliria Gonzales on May 31, 1930, in La Jara, N.M. He had spent the last 37 years with his life-long partner, Mary T. Armijo.
He held various jobs at a saw mill, Federal Lumber and putting roofing on houses.
Mr. Gonzalez loved visitng with friends and family and extended his thoughfulness to those who were ill. He enjoyed making turquoise, beaded and silver jewelry.
He is survived by his life partner Mary T. Armijo of Durango; sisters Mary Gurule of Pagosa Springs and Dora Gurule of Aztec; brother Joe Gonzales of Billings, Mont.; stepdaughter Annie Atencio of Grand Junction and Sherry Armijo of Farmington; and several other stepchildren, step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Friday. A Rosary will be said at 6:30 p.m. today at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will occur at Pine River Cemetery in Bayfield.
Janet Lyn Johnson
A lifelong resident of the area, Janet Lyn Johnson, 49, died at her home in Cortez on Friday, July 1, 2005. The cause of death was brain cancer.
Mrs. Johnson was born April 11, 1956 to Earl Lowell and Patricia Jodell (Waller) Rea in Durango. She attended Ignacio High School through the 11th grade, where she was a cheerleader and active in school.
On June 8, 1973, she married Kevin C. Johnson in Ignacio. While she cleaned houses for a living for a while, spending time with her children was one of her favorite activities.
She loved rodeos, roping and barrel racing, and was a member of the celebrated Montezuma County Posseetts. She had a love of horses and dogs. For a time, Mrs. Johnson also enjoyed oil painting.
"She always had a smile on her face and was kind and thoughtful with everyone," said her husband. "She left an impression on everyone she met, and it didn't matter who they were."
Mrs. Johnson is survived by her husband, Kevin Johnson of Cortez; daughter Erin Lynell Carlson of Fort Morgan; son Kevin Lex Johnson of Cortez; parents Earl and Patricia Rea of Ignacio; sisters Laura Lee Pargin of Ignacio; Kristi Ann VanDenBerg of Durango and Shelly Renee McCoy of Ignacio; brother Bud Rea of Ignacio; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds. The Rev. Bud Rousset will officiate.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Montezuma, P.O. Box 740, Cortez, CO 81321.
Sylvia Eileen Zimmerman
A woman who loved her pets, Sylvia Eileen Zimmerman, 76, died Tuesday, July 5, 2005, at her home in Ignacio. The cause of death was complications from Alzheimer's disease.
Born on Jan. 28, 1929 in Witchita Falls, Texas to the Perkins, Mrs. Zimmerman graduated from Witchita Falls High School and studied for two years at Bethany College.
She married Bill Laws in Witchita Falls, Texas, in 1949. The marriage was later dissolved.
She married Marvin Zimmerman on July 3, 1978 in Houston. The couple moved to the Vallecito Lake area and ran the Rest Haven Lodge for five years before returning to Texas. They moved to Ignacio several years later.
"She loved to travel," said her husband. "We'd travel in the winters and to places like Alaska before the Alzheimer's disease took her."
She enjoyed playing the piano and singing at the Nuuciu Baptist Church in Ignacio.
"She had a happy life," said Mr. Zimmerman.
She is survived by her husband, Marvin Zimmerman of Ignacio; sons Shane Zimmerman of Hesperus, Bob Laws of Katy, Texas, John Laws of Armore, Okla., and Orrin Laws of Rio Rancho, N.M.; daughters Linda Maxwell of Santa Ana, Texas, and Elaine Fitzgerald of Angleton, Texas; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Hood Mortuary Chapel. Her family will officiate. Burial will occur at Ignacio East Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Disease Association, Rocky Mountain Chapter; 789 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 or the local chapter, c/o Elaine Stump, 701 Camino del Rio, Suite 115A, Durango, CO 81301; or to Gideons International, P.O. Box 2072, Durango, CO 81302.
Kendall 'Kenny' Ray Alexander
A longtime Durango resident who fought in World War II, Kendall "Kenny" Ray Alexander, 78, died Thursday, June 30, 2005, at his home.
Mr. Alexander was born May 24, 1927, in Mayfield, Okla., to William J. "Bill" Alexander and Effie Mae (Davis) Alexander. He was the eldest of six children.
He married Rosana Archuleta on April 25, 1948, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Durango. Mr. Alexander was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1945. He served in the Pacific theater and was honorably discharged in 1947.
He worked as a mechanic and welder for Burnett Construction Co. until his retirement in 1993.
Mr. Alexander loved to be outside and repair anything he found broken. "He could fix anything," said his daughter, Teresa Valdez.
Mr. Alexander enjoyed helping others and if anyone needed his help, he made sure to drop what he was doing to help them.
In his early years, Mr. Alexander enjoyed big-game hunting. Most importantly, he loved his family.
Mr. Alexander is survived by his wife, Rosana; his son, David Alexander of Durango; his daughter, Teresa Valdez of Ridgecrest, Calif.; his sister, Ruth Robbins of Bloomfield; two brothers, Ed Alexander of Bloomfield and Richard Alexander of Farmington; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Lisa Raye Alexander, in 1984.
Visitation will be from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday at Hood Mortuary. A rosary will be said at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the church. The Rev. Joseph L. Gallegos will officiate.
Burial will occur at Greenmount Cemetery.
Scott David Hyslop
A memorial service will be held Tuesday for Durango Fire & Rescue Authority firefighter and paramedic Scott David Hyslop, 33, who died Thursday, June 30, 2005, near Mancos in a helicopter crash.
Mr. Hyslop was born Sept. 22, 1971, in Denver, the son of David and Mary Sue Hyslop. He married Elizabeth Ceilley on Dec. 28, 1996, in Des Moines, Iowa.
An avid climber, skier, mountain biker and hiker, Mr. Hyslop had a great love of the outdoors. He devoted his life to helping others in times of need and also was an inspiration to those living with cystic fibrosis.
"We're going to miss him, his personality, his smile, his jokes," said Dave Abercrombie, spokesman for Durango Fire & Rescue Authority. "It leaves a real void in the department."
Mr. Hyslop is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Ceilley Hyslop of Durango and their son, 5-month-old Dylan Hyslop of Durango. Mr. Hyslop is also survived by his parents, Mary Sue and David Hyslop of Centennial, his brother and sister-in-law, Rob and Laurel Hyslop of Evergreen, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents and an aunt.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the meadow north of Turtle Lake on County Road 205. Chaplains Diana McKenna and Ken Downey of Mercy Medical Center will officiate.
A community memorial service will be held at noon Wednesday at the Durango High School football field. Cremation will occur at Hood Mortuary in Durango.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Scott Hyslop Memorial Fund, care of Vectra Bank, 1101 East Second Ave., Durango. Funds will be distributed to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and other causes important to Mr. Hyslop.
More information on Mr. Hyslop and his memorial service may be found on the Internet at scotthyslop.blogspot.com.
William 'Pod' Podmayer Jr.
A service will be held Wednesday for William "Pod" Podmayer Jr., 49, who died Thursday, June 30, 2005, in a helicopter crash near Mancos. Mr. Podmayer died doing what he loved - caring for a person in need.
Mr. Podmayer was born on Oct. 17, 1955, in North Hampton, Mass.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Hill; his parents, William and Ethel Podmayer; a sister, Sue McGlew; and multiple nieces and nephews.
Mr. Podmayer lived life to the fullest. His contagious smile led to an enormous community "family" in addition to a strong and loving home family.
A celebration of Mr. Podmayer's life will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Rotary Park in Durango. Friends are encouraged to bring photos and stories of Mr. Podmayer to share. A community memorial service will be held at noon Wednesday at the Durango High School football field.
Memorial contributions may be made to La Plata County Search and Rescue or the La Plata County Humane Society.
Lillian Alice Adcock
A woman who was active in numerous local organizations, Lillian Alice Adcock, 92, died Tuesday, June 28, 2005, at Four Corners Health Care Center.
Mrs. Adcock was born Oct. 18, 1912, in Allison to Clayton and Flora Babcock. She married Roy S. Adcock on Sept. 3, 1936, in Allison.
She was a lifelong member of the Durango and Florida Mesa First Presbyterian churches and a 60-year member of the Florida Grange, for which she served as chaplain. In addition to serving as the Noble Grand of the Rebekah Lodge, she was also a member of several social groups including Ladies Aid, Martha Circle and the Granny Club.
Mrs. Adcock was an avid Canasta player. She played the kazoo in a hillbilly band in the 1960s and was active at the Durango/La Plata Senior Center. She was also a talented ceramicist and gardener, and was especially proud of her gladiola and lilacs.
"I'll always remember her smile, and she loved being with people," said her daughter Sharon Mason.
"And she did all those activities even though she never drove."
She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy S. Adcock, in 1971 and her son Ronald Adcock.
Mrs. Adcock is survived by her daughters Thelma Bertrana of Bayfield and Sharon Mason of Farmington; sons Arthur Adcock of Dolores, Loren Adcock of Caņon City, Dick Adcock of Durango, and Clayton Adcock of Grand Junction; sister Mary Adcock of Bastrup, Texas; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 3 step-great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. today at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango. The Rev. Jo DeVinny with the First Presbyterian Church of Durango will officiate. Burial will be after the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 1159 East Third Ave., Durango CO, 81301.
