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Shannon Fargerson O'Neal (4/5/2007)
Shannon Fargerson O'Neal died in Pagosa Springs on Tuesday, April 3, 2007. She was 39. The cause of death was not disclosed.
She was born to John G. and Sandra Fargerson in Shreveport, La., on July 25, 1967.
Ms. Fargerson O'Neal is survived by her husband, Brian O'Neal, of Pagosa Springs; son Colby Voelkel of Waskom, Texas; daughter, Hannah Murnane of Durango; mother Sandra Shull of Shreveport, La.; father and stepmother, John G. and DeNise Fargerson of Swink; sister Michelle Vucinovich of Shreveport, La.; and brother, Brandon L. Fargerson, of San Antonio.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today, April 5, 2007, at Hood Mortuary Chapel. Services will take place at Rose-Neath South Funeral Home in Shreveport.
Julia Mary (Abeyta) Garcia (4/5/2007)
La Plata County native Julia Mary (Abeyta) Garcia died of lung cancer on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2007, in Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada. She was 79.
She was born to Abel and Margarita Valdez Abeyta in Tiffany on Feb. 16, 1927.
Mrs. Garcia attended school in Ignacio. As a newlywed, she moved about 40 years ago to homestead in Canada. The marriage later ended in divorce.
After she retired, she enjoyed working in the yard and crocheting.
"She enjoyed raising heck with the news commentators who she listened to most of the time," her family wrote.
Mrs. Garcia is survived by her sons Abe Garcia and Tom Garcia, both of Fort St. John, British Columbia; daughter Sofia Garcia of Fort St. John; sisters Stella Lucero of Ignacio, Lilly Marquez of Carbon City, Utah, Evelyn Carbajal of Los Lunas, N.M.; brother John Abeyta of Tiffany; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 7, 2007, at the Arboles/Rosa Cemetery. Mrs. Garcia's ashes will be buried with her parents.
Jody James Morris Sr. (4/4/2007)
Hesperus resident Jody James Morris Sr. died from injuries received in a motorcycle accident on Saturday, March 31, 2007. He was 44.
Mr. Morris was born to Walter and Ann Morris in Littleton on March 28, 1963.
He had lived in the Hesperus area for the last 25 years.
He enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, horseback riding, fishing, boating and hanging out with his family and friends.
"He will always be remembered for his sense of humor, love for family, friends and life," his family wrote.
Mr. Morris is survived by his companion of 25 years, Sheryl Ealum; sons Jody Morris, Tom Morris and Tim Morris, all of Hesperus; mother Annie Morris and sister Carrie Morris, both of Dickson, Tenn.; brothers Richard Morris and Casey Morris, both of Grand Junction; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 7, 2007, at the Hesperus Baptist Camp, 22265 state Highway 140 in Hesperus.
David Paul McGinnis (4/4/2007)
Bayfield resident David Paul McGinnis was killed in an automobile accident in Mobile, Ala., on Saturday, March 31, 2007. He was 62.
In the accident, two eastbound cars collided with each other on Interstate 10 and one crossed the median into the westbound lane, striking the McGinnises' mini-van head on. Mr. McGinnis was declared dead at the scene. His wife, Mary Vernon McGinnis, is in University of South Alabama Medical Center suffering from a severely broken right arm and internal bleeding of her liver and spleen. As of Wednesday, her condition was stable, and she is scheduled to move out of the Intensive Care Unit today.
Mr. McGinnis was born to William and Josephine McGinnis in Toronto on May 3, 1944. He earned a bachelor's degree in music from Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas, in 1965. In 1969, he earned a master's degree, also in music, from Texas Tech University in Lubbock.
On Aug. 24, 1964, Mr. McGinnis married Mary Vernon Jackson in Lubbock.
The McGinnises had lived at Vallecito Reservoir for 32 years. Mr. McGinnis taught music for nine years in Durango, Texas and Arizona. During most of his time in Vallecito, he was a specialty-goods salesman for B&B Advertising and most recently Kaesar & Blair.
Mr. McGinnis recently coordinated the Vallecito Tour of Carvings project in memory of the Missionary Ridge Fire.
Mr. McGinnis is survived by his wife, Mary Vernon McGinnis, of Bayfield; son Paul McGinnis of Arlington, Texas; and daughter Marianne McGinnis of Mobile.
At a later date, a funeral will be held in Arlington, Texas, and a memorial service will be scheduled at Vallecito.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the family scholarship fund at Wayland Baptist University: Vernon and Mary Jackson Scholarship Fund, WBU No. 437, 1900 W. 7th St., Plainview, TX 79072.
Condolences and get-well wishes may be sent to paulmcg@daydots.com.
Jim Norton (4/4/2007)
Longtime Durango resident Jim Norton died at his home in Bloomfield, N.M., on Sunday, April 1, 2007. He was 88.
Mr. Norton was born in Farmington to Arba and Bertha Mae Norton on March 22, 1919.
He grew up there and graduated from high school in 1937. That summer, Mr. Norton moved to Pagosa Springs where his family had a ranch.
On April 14, 1941, he married Inez Shaw in Fayre, Okla. The Nortons and their family lived in Durango for most of their married life.
Mr. Norton had 13 track records with his race horses and four world records, as well as champion show horses and cattle. Two of his best-known race horses in the 1950s and 1960s were Go-Me-Go and Clabber Juan. The American Quarterhorse Association gave him three Superior Race Horse certificates.
Mr. Norton managed Rancho de Abiquiu, N.M. for four years and Sky Ute Downs in Ignacio for three years.
His family said Mr. Norton enjoyed working with the Southern Ute Tribe.
He retired in 2000 and moved to Bloomfield.
Two months ago, Mr. Norton was preceded in death by his wife of almost 66 years, Inez Norton.
He is survived by his daughter, Linda Norton, of Bloomfield, N.M.; son Denny Norton of Durango; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. today, April 4, 2007, at Cope Memorial Chapel, 404 W. Arrington St. in Farmington. A service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 5, 2007, at Aztec Baptist Church, 1219 S. Main St., in Aztec. The Rev. Don Stackpole will officiate and the Rev. Ted Huntington will assist. Burial will follow at Greenmount Cemetery.
John C. Onderisin (4/1/2007)
Former Durango resident John C. Onderisin died July 16, 2006, at his home in Union City, Pa., of colon cancer. He was 59.
Mr. Onderisin, who was known as "Big John," was a highly recruited high school basketball player and went on to play in college. He worked for Rainbow Bread, and friends said he was a large presence around town, especially in grocery stores.
A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Onderisin served his country proudly with two tours in Vietnam and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Friends called him the "master of the barbecue," and he was often the cook for VFW and American Legion picnics.
Mr. Onderisin was an avid Pittsburgh sports fan. He was very proud of his two daughters, Shannon and Heather.
His last words to his daughters and friends were, "Fill not your heart with pain and sorrow, but remember me in every tomorrow."
An Irish-style wake will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at the American Legion, 878 East Second Ave. in Durango.
Memorial contributions and cards can be mailed to his daughter, Shannon Potts, 4110 Escuda Dr., Glendale, AZ 85308.
Frank C. Carman (4/1/2007)
Frank Carman, a business owner in Southwest Colorado, died Friday, March 23, 2007. He was 84.
He enjoyed the Colorado lifestyle, family gatherings, tending to his yard, drives in the country and socializing with friends.
Mr. Carman was born April 23, 1922, in Trinidad. He moved to Durango in 1935 and is a graduate of Durango High School, where he lettered in football for three years. He joined the Army Air Corp. during World War II. He trained as a pilot and was assigned to an Army Air Corp. intelligence unit in Southern Italy.
After his discharge from the military, Mr. Carman met and married Rose Zufelt of Red Mesa in 1946. They had two children.
Mr. Carman worked for Brennan Firestone of Durango for 12 years. As a couple, the Carmans owned and operated a number of small businesses in Southwest Colorado. The family businesses and relationships formed in Pagosa Springs were highlights of Mr. Carmancareer.
He retired after being a Job Placement Officer with San Juan Basin Vo-Tech and about 12 years working as director of the Southern Ute Community Action Programs based in Ignacio.
"He will be fondly remembered as a friend of those who were willing to give honest effort, looking for a source of opportunity and support," said Bruce Carman, his son, of Durango.
Mr. Carman is survived by his sister Martha Simpson of Durango; sons Bruce and Frank R. Carman of Cortez; four grandchildren; and one great granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Carman.
Cremation has occurred, and a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, 2007, at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made by mail to American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 1131, Fairfax, VA 22038-1131 or online at www.diabetes.org/support-thecause.jsp.
Kenneth Burrell Montgomery (4/1/2007)
Kenneth Burrell Montgomery died Thursday, March 29, 2007, at his home in Bayfield. The cause of death was complications from cancer. He was 74.
Mr. Montgomery was born Feb. 10, 1933, in Bayfield. He served in the Army during the Korean War. Later, he was a cowboy outfitter and a mechanic. He retired from Williams Field Services.
During his retirement, Mr. Montgomery enjoyed winters in Arizona and summers in Bayfield, where he spent time in his garden. He had a great love for his family, especially his eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Mr. Montgomery enjoyed horseback riding, fishing, camping and four-wheeling. He was a founder of the Pine River Valley Heritage Society.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Joyce Montgomery of Bayfield; daughters Linda Neptune of Tucson, Ariz., and Terri Will of Bayfield; son Ron Montgomery of Bayfield; sister Marilyn Moore of Sun City, Ariz.; and brother Orval Montgomery of Lakeside, Ore.
Visitation will be held at Hood Mortuary in Durango from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2007. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at the Church of Christ in Bayfield. Gene Chapin will officiate. Burial will follow at Pine River Cemetery in Bayfield.
Memorial donations in Mr. Montgomery's name may be made to: Pine River Valley Heritage Society, P.O. Box 1981, Bayfield, CO 81122.
Jennie Kathryn Eller (5/27/2007)
Former area resident Jennie Kathryn Eller died on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, at Laurel House in LeMarque, Texas. She was 86.
Mrs. Eller was born to Robert and Jennie Mulhair Trower in Vera, Okla., on Oct. 1, 1920.
She married John Kenneth Eller, and the couple moved to Durango in 1952. Mr. Eller worked for Southwest Bell.
Mr. Eller was a member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elk's Lodge No. 507, and the couple attended many events at the lodge.
When Mr. Eller retired, the Ellers moved to Arboles. They traveled quite a bit with a fifth wheel, and both enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Mrs. Eller moved to Dickinson, Texas, from Arboles in June 1997 to live with her niece, Barbara Hunter.
Mrs. Eller was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, John Kenneth Eller.
She is survived by her sister Rita McCalella of Missouri; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at Crowder Funeral Home in Dickinson, Texas. The funeral will start at 11 a.m. after the visitation, also at Crowder. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 31, 2007, at the Allison-Tiffany Cemetery, where Mrs. Eller will be buried next to her husband.
