Services will be held on Friday, March 3 at 2 p.m. at the Community Church of Gunnison. Burial will follow in the Gunnison Cemetery with Masonic services.

A native of Hart, Texas, Mr. Stegall moved to Colorado in 1944, from Pampa, Texas.

One of the country’s premier custom gunstock makers, Mr. Stegall was renowned for his craftsmanship.

He was a member of the Gunnison Valley Masonic Lodge #39 AF & M in Gunnison, and a member of the Community Church.

He is survived by his son, W. Keith Stegall II of Leadville, Colo.; daughters, Janet Wuske of St. Petersburg, Fla. and Mary Englehart of Cortez; eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Church Memorial Fund, 107 N. Iowa Street, Gunnison, Colo. 81230

Contributions may also be made to Cal Farley’s Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas 79174; or to the Masonic Scholarship Fund, c/o Gunnison Valley Masonic Lodge, Gunnison, Colo. 81230.

Funeral services for Dean Wright Burns, 76, of Dolores are set for Wednesday, March 1, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at the Summit Ridge Cemetery.

Dean passed away at her home in Dolores on Friday, Feb. 25, 2000. She was born in Eagletown, Okla., on July 25, 1923, to John E. Wright and Florence Tennessee Eason Wright. Dean was the second of a set of twins, born sixth in line to her parents. Her sister, Dall, is 45 minutes older.

Surviving Dean is her husband of 55 years, 11 months, and 4 days, Pat O. Burns, of Dolores; her daughters, Ida Marie Garner, and Patricia Ann Higgins, and her husband, Doyle; grandchildren, Shelly and Wade Jordan, Rodney Rule, Lynette and Clark Watkins, Mickey and Marsha Rule, Russell Garner and Karissa and Krystal Higgins; and great-grandchildren, Jacque Watkins, Billy Millard, Riley Ham, Vance Millard, Lyle Jordan, Melanie Millard, Ross Ham, Tyler Jordan, and Taylor Jordan. Dean is survived by brothers and sisters, Irene Shrivers of Marshall, Texas; J.E. Wright; Dall Leonard, twin, of Benton City, Wash.; Louis L. Wright, of Shawnee, Okla.; and Lou Ann Leyerly, of Marshall, Texas; as well as 18 nieces and nephews from her side of the family only.

Preceding her in death were three sisters, Jesse Marie McFarland, Lorene Durham, and Pauline Roberts; and one brother, J.E. Wright.

Memorial contributions can be made in Dean Burns' name with the National Lupus Foundation. Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.

Danny, a lifelong resident of this area, passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Monday, Feb. 28, 2000. He was 49 years old. He was born on Jan. 15, 1951 in Cortez, Colo., to Roy Allen and Catherine Ann (Johnson) Lichliter. Danny had two brothers, Charlie Lichliter and Allen Lichliter, and one sister, Linda Lichliter Melton.Danny is survived by his mother, Catherine Lichliter, of Cortez; his wife, Jolene, of Dove Creek; his children, Traci Lynne Wagner and Catherine Suanne Clark, both of Cortez; Morgan Rose Lichliter, Dominick Jordan Badding, Donavon Luke Badding, and Dakota Nathan Badding, all of Dove Creek; and grandchildren, Michael Bryan Wagner and Dhanielle Mari Clark, both of Cortez. He is also survived by his two brothers and sisters and their spouses and many nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts, cousins, and a host of friends too numerous to mention.

Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Daniel Lichliter at the First National Bank of Cortez to benefit the World War II Veteran's Memorial Fund.

William Lancaster, 70, of Pleasant View, passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Friday, Feb. 25. Services are scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 29 at the Church of Christ beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will be at the Sylvan Cemetery. Rev. Hunt Zumwalt of the Church of Christ will officiate.

Visitation is set for Tuesday morning between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.

William was born in Pleasant View, Colo., on April 6, 1929, the son of Marshall Louie "Luke" Lancaster and Frances Edith Proctor Lancaster. He married Lois Arlene Axtell in Gallup, N.M., on Aug. 12, 1946.

William is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lois Lancaster, of Yellow Jacket, Colo.; and by his children, Linda Kay Naylor, and her husband, Jimmy, of Tucson, Ariz.; Darrell E. Lancaster, and his wife, Linda, of Pleasant View, Colo.; and Joe Lloyd Lancaster, of Lorton, Va. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren, Shelly and Dana Naylor, Jennifer Lund, Mackenzie, and Wyatt Lancaster, and Eric and Randy Lancaster, as well as two great-grandchildren. Eight brothers and sisters also survive. They are: Cleda Vining, of Independence, Kans.; Leon Lancaster, of Ocala, Fla.; Wynona Moss, and Jess Lancaster, both of Cortez, Leona Beaty and Frances Martinez, both of Farmington, N.M.; Louise Baer, of Cortez, and Don Lancaster, of Redding, Calif.

Preceding William in death was an infant son, Gerald Keith Lancaster; and three brothers, Tom, Boyd, and Charlie Lancaster.

William was a retired Pleasant View Fire Department volunteer. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of William Lancaster to the Pleasant View Fire Department, P.O. Box 291, Pleasant View, Colo. 81331.

Ertel Funeral Home will be conducting the services.

Memorial services for longtime Dolores resident, Jack Rondel Swanner, will be held Wednesday, March 1, at the Cortez Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints beginning at 10 a.m.

Jack was born on Nov. 5, 1923, in Springfield, Colo., to Robert Lee and Arry (Cree) Swanner. He passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Friday, Feb. 25, 2000. Jack was 76 years old.

On Jan. 18, 1946, Jack married LaVernne Coppinger in Bernalillo, N.M. They had recently celebrated their 54th anniversary.

Jack is survived by his wife, LaVernne, of Dolores; his son and daughter-in-law, Dick and Marie Swanner, of Dolores; and his daughter and son-in-law, Delane and Bill Boan, also of Dolores; four granddaughters, Sherri Gardner and her husband, Jeff, of Dolores, Ronda Wiginton, and her friend, Stan Davis, of Dolores, Trisha Umberger, and her husband, Cody, also of Dolores, and Teri McEwen and her husband, Marty, of Dallas, Texas; six great grandchildren; and two sisters, Dorothy Neal of Arriola, Colo., and Lorraine Sheppard, and her husband, Lavelle, of Youngtown, Ariz.

Memorial contributions can be made in Jack Swanner's memory to the American Cancer Society. Ertel Funeral Home assisted the family with the arrangements.

Ruth M. Brown, a lifelong resident of Mancos, passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000, at the age of 90. Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 29, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 2 p.m. Father Jerry McKenzie will officiate.

Born on Sept. 23, 1909 in Pueblo, Colo., Ruth was the daughter of Charles Brown Neeley and Anna Mae Flesher Neeley. Kenneth B. Brown took Ruth as his bride on June 21, 1951, enjoying 48 years of marriage together.

Ruth was a lifetime member of P.E.O., was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mancos, and was very active in community affairs.

Ruth is survived by her husband, Kenneth, of Mancos; her daughter and son-in-law, Ronda and Alvin B. Simpkins, of Carlin, Nev.; four grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, James L. Neeley, of Cortez, and Raymond Neeley, of Farmington, N.M.; and two sisters, Winifred Mallett, of Rangely, Colo., and Geneva Cox, of Mancos.

Preceding Ruth in death were her parents, a daughter, Guyla Kermode; two grandsons, Britt Simpkins, and Rocky Player; two sisters, Hazel Kincannon, and Helen Caylor; a brother, Charles W. Neeley; and her first husband, Lee O. Reddert.

Helen Marie Martin passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, at the age of 78. Funeral services will be held Monday, Feb. 28, 2000, at the Arriola Bible Church beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will follow at the Lewis Cemetery.

The daughter of Floyd and Mary (Stevenson) Cummings, Helen was born on June 26, 1921 in Yellow Jacket, Colo. She and Alexander J. Martin eloped on March 25, 1937, marrying one another in Monticello, Utah. At the time, Helen was 15 years old, although she preferred to tell that she was almost 16. Alexander passed away on Aug. 27, 1992, after celebrating more than 55 years of marriage.

Helen is survived by her children, Kenneth Martin, of Cortez, Pam Thompson, of Dolores, Margie Duncan, of Bakersfield, Calif., and Marilyn Flores, of Houston, Texas. She also is survived by a brother, Ben Cummings, of Mesa, Ariz.; a sister, Alberta Simmons, of Apache Junction, Ariz., and a sister raised by Helen, Mickie Baker, of Cortez. Helen leaves behind 21 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, as well as a very special companion, Leo Staley.

Leo and Helen were very active within the Senior Center. They loved to dance and have dinner with other Senior members.

Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Roland McDonald, 41, of Cortez, will be held Monday, Feb. 28, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at the Arriola Cemetery.

Mr. McDonald passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2000, in rural Dolores, as the result of an auto accident. He was born on July 25, 1958, in Cortez to Joe Dean and Uel Faith (Hackett) McDonald.

Roland loved to work and be outdoors with nature. He was an equipment operator for Telluride Gravel. On July 23, 1999, Roland married Doris Isabell Bedker here in Cortez.

Surviving Roland is his wife, Doris, of Cortez; a son Nicholas McDonald, of Cortez; and three daughters, Tara McDonald, of Atlanta, Ga., Jennifer Ford and Lacey Ford, both of Cortez. Roland is also survived by his mother, Uel McDonald, of Cortez; and eight brothers: Joe D. McDonald, of Cortez; Rick McDonald, of Lewis; Tim McDonald, of Dolores; Larry McDonald, of Dolores; Johnnie McDonald, of Cortez; Jimmy McDonald, of Cortez; Dennis Hackett, of Dolores, and Henry Hackett, of Aztec, N.M.

Mary Taylor passed away peacefully at 5 p.m. on February 19, 2000. Funeral services will be held at Ertel Memorial Chapel at 10 a.m. Thursday, February 24, 2000. Interment will follow at the Cahone Cemetery. Officiating will be Elder Conway Wood of Albuquerque, N.M.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 23, 2000, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Friends and acquaintances touched by Mary are invited to attend.

Mary was born on April 27, 1895, in Batesville, Ark., to Jefferson Simmons and Dora Spencer Simmons. She was 104 years old at the time of her death.

Surviving Mary are her son, Earl E. Taylor of Bloomfield, N.M., as well as five grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her husband, Earl; three sisters; and two brothers.

Ruby Viola Amyx Latchaw was born October 18, 1915, in Pagosa Springs, Colo., to Albert C. Amyx and Martha Louise Odom Amyx. She died in Colorado Springs on February 17, 2000, at the age of 84.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her grandmother, Josephine (Odom) Dill; sister, Josephine Neeley; son, Richard Lloyd Latchaw; and son-in-law, James Joseph Patti, Sr.

She is survived by and was the beloved mother of Phyllis (Tom) Simpson, Paul (Leslie) Latchaw, Jeanne (Jack) Stalker, Jim (Mary) Latchaw, Judy Patti, Nancy Eimer, Terry Latchaw, Linda Brandt, Tina Nowosielski, Lynette (Garth) Boyd, Kelly Latchaw, and Jeff Latchaw. Also surviving her are 38 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; her aunt, Helen Plumlee of Dolores; brother-in-law, James Neeley, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Viola's favorite flower was the lilac. Some of her favorite things to do included gardening and working in the outdoors. She worked in numerous restaurants throughout her life, including managing and operating the Mayfair Restaurant in Colorado Springs. Viola will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, and as someone who enjoyed and loved the company of people. Her wisdom and advice on life, raising children and relationships will be carried on by and through her family for many years to come.

A viewing will be held Thursday, February 24, 2000 from 1to 2 p.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel. Graveside services will follow at 3 p.m. on Thursday at the Summit Ridge Cemetery.

Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 10 a.m. for Lois Irene Ives.

Lois was born in Iola, Kan., on Jan. 5, 1927, the daughter of John Park Colwell and Bessie (Watson) Colwell. She passed away at her home in Yellow Jacket, Colo., on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2000, at the age of 73.

In February of 1946, Lois married Dale Ives. He preceded her in death in 1995.

Lois is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Dan Oakley, of Foresthill, Calif.; two aunts, Ruth Donoho, of Saca, Mont., and Jennie Young, of Wildomar, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial contributions can be made in Lois Ives’ memory to the American Cancer Society, Hospice of Montezuma, or the charity of your choice.

Ertel Funeral Home will be conducting the services.

Funeral mass for Larry A. Lee of Mancos will be held at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Mancos at 10 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 25, 2000, with Father Kevin Novack officiating. Burial will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery in Mancos. A Rosary will be held on Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, beginning at 7 p.m. at St. Rita's.

Larry was born on October 4, 1914 in Kirtland, N.M., to Ernest Lee and Elizabeth Hunt Lee. He passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos on Feb. 20, 2000 at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife, Lena, of Mancos; three sons, Eddie and Leila Lee of Albuquerque, N.M.; Larry and Trina Lee of Mancos; and Paul and Lena Lee of Holbrook, Ariz.; one daughter, Betty and Wayne Phillips of Las Lunas, N.M.; two brothers, Ralph Lee of Mesa, Ariz., and John Lee of Holbrook, Ariz.; one sister, Grace Castleberry of Winslow, Ariz.; 10 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Ertel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

He was a graduate of Olathe High School and attended the Colorado School of Mines. He served in the U.S. Navy before World War II.

Keith managed small businesses in Richfield, Utah, Delta and Cortez, where he managed the Panel Parlor and later, South Broadway Place. He was a member of the A.R.R.L. and the Quarter Century Wireless Club.

He is survived by his wife, Pauline of Cortez; stepsons, Steven Fancher of Delta, and Terry Henkle of Denver; daughters, Patricia Garland of Grand Junction, and Kay Short of Oklahoma City, Okla.; sons, Max Hedgecock of Federal Way, Wash., John Hedgecock of Roby, Mo., and Dan Hedgecock of Grand Junction; as well as nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. Dugan is survived by his wife, Sonja G. Dugan, Cortez; his mother, Sandra Lee Ingram, Polar Bluff, Mo.,; two sons, Dylan Kirk and Nathan Dane, Cortez, and one daughter, Sierra Kelsey, Cortez. He is also survived by a brother, John Kelly Dugan, Cortez; two sisters, Tabitha Victoria Dugan and Meagan Elizabeth Greer, Poplar Bluff, Mo.; grandparents Edna Ruby Riley and Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Ingram Sr., all of Tucson, Ariz.; and two best friends, Shawn Pierce and Basil Hougland, Cortez.

He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Wayne Dugan Jr., and his grandfather, Kenneth Wayne Dugan Sr.

A memorial fund has been established at Vectra Bank of Cortez. The Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken Funeral Directors, is serving the family.

Graveside services for Jay I. Casey, a lifelong resident of Towaoc, will be held Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2000 at the Blanding City Cemetery, in Blanding, Utah, beginning at 10 a.m. Visitation will be held Tuesday afternoon from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.

Mr. Casey was born at Willowsprings, Ariz., on July 10, 1917. He passed away at the Vista Grande Nursing Home on Sunday, Feb. 13, 2000.

Surviving Jay are his children, Raymond Casey, of Florence, Colo.; Diana Casey, Clyde Casey, Emily Casey, all of Towaoc; and Verna Casey, of Pueblo, Colo.; grandchildren, Suzanne Casey, Spencer Posey, Tasha Posey, Serena Posey, Tyla Green, Chasity Casey, Skai Casey, Travis Casey, Clydale Casey, Crandell Casey, Charlamaine Casey, Quanah Casey, Jewell Casey, Eileen Hatch, Estelle Hatch, Antonia Casey, Dominque Jay Esplin, Laura Ann Ketchum, Janelle Mills, Gabriel Casey, and Ester Salazar. He is also survived by four grandsons, Earl Blackhair, Robert Preston, Robbin Preston, and Jeffrey Preston; five granddaughters, May Preston, Lora Preston, Gerverne Preston, Virginia Casey, and Regina Casey, from his first marriage.

Preceding Jay in death were his parents, and wife, Lillian Marie Rabbit Casey; two sons, Ernest and Kee Casey; three daughters, Laura, Elsie and Rose Casey; and two grandsons, Stephen Casey and Emil Preston.

Ertel Funeral Home will be conducting the services.

Edward Alan Roseberry passed away at his rural Cortez residence on Friday, Feb. 11, 2000. He was born in Martinez, Calif., on June 14, 1943 to Edward Elsie Roseberry and Juanita Ruth (Tatom) Roseberry. He was 56 years old.

Edward is survived by two sisters, Sheila Roseberry, of Montrose, Colo., and Kathie Roseberry of Glendale, Calif.

Mr. Roseberry is to be cremated and no services will be held.

Jerry Edwin Russell of La Junta, Colo. passed away on Feb. 10, 2000, at the home of his brother, Tead Russell. He was 59.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 14 at Peacock Memorial Chapel. Pastor Jerry Wells of the First Baptist Church will officiate. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery.

Mr. Russell was born May 24, 1940, to Albert and Sophia (Laverty) Russell in La Junta. He attended La Junta schools, and during his younger years was an accomplished athlete in football, wrestling and rodeo. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his grandchildren.

Mr. Russell moved to Cortez from La Junta in 1968, where he owned and operated an auto repair and welding shop. His children grew up in Cortez, and completed school here. He moved back to the La Junta area in the early 1990s.

He is survived by a son, David (Kim) Russell of Cortez; daughters Melinda Sanchez of Gallup, N.M., and Jerry (Paul) Zumdieck of Seabeck, Wash.; sister, Mary Cranson of La Junta; brothers Dave (Patty) Russell and Tead (Earlene) Russell, both of La Junta; and seven grandchildren: Duston, Khrysta and Jarod Russell of Cortez; Jessica and Christopher Zumdieck of Seabeck; and Joe E. and Angelina Sanchez of Gallup. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

James A. Hager passed away Feb. 4, 2000 at the age of 66, from leukemia, in Tucson, Ariz. No services are planned.

James was born March 28, 1933 in Mancos, to Ben and Tyna Hager. He was a truck driver for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Maralyse Hager; daughters Angela (Bob) Keene; Petite (Bruce) Kirkendall; brothers, Charles Hager, Ernest Hager, Paul Hager and Ray Hager; two sisters, Jewel Spruell and Cola Lee; grandchildren Michael and James Keene; and Sam and Elizabeth Kirkendall; many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Betty Jane Campbell, 53, of Cortez passed away at her home on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2000. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Feb. 12, 2000 at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Cortez Cemetery. Pastor Larry Chappell will officiate.

Betty was born in Oakdale, Calif., on Jan. 26, 1947, the daughter of Roy L. Ward and Mary Lucille (Hall) Ward. She married Ronald H. Campbell in Roseville, Calif., on Aug. 27, 1966. Betty and Ron have lived in Cortez for seven years. Betty's family remembers her as a dedicated wife and homemaker. She loved crafts and was a devoted member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church.

Surviving her are her husband of 33 years, Ron Campbell, of Cortez; two sons, Timothy H. Campbell, and his wife, Brenda, of Susanville, Calif., and Paul A. Campbell, of Peoria, Ariz.; and two grandchildren, Austin H. Campbell and Tanjie R. Campbell, both of Susanville, Calif. Betty's father, Roy Ward, of Citrus Heights, Calif., also survives her, as do two sisters, Mary Annette Louch, of Orangevale, Calif., and Eva Anne Willis, of Citrus Heights, Calif.; and a brother, Michael Roy Ward, of Indiana.

Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Betty Campbell with the Lighthouse Baptist Church to benefit the children and young people of the church.

Memorial services were held on Friday, Feb. 11, 2000 at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church for Nellie E. (Gill) Harp.

Nellie was born in Kansas City, Mo., on July 3, 1906 to Floyd Gill and Ada (Milton) Gill. Nellie passed away at the age of 93 on Tues., Feb. 8, 2000, at the Vista Grande Nursing Home in Cortez.

Nellie grew up in Denver, Colo. and graduated from Colorado State University in Fort Collins in 1929 with a degree in home economics. On Dec. 23, 1930, Nellie married Gordon "Tex" Harp in Denver, Colo. He passed away in August of 1965 after celebrating 34 years of marriage together. Nellie and Tex were with the U.S. Forest Service in Yampa, Colo., and retired from the Glade district of the San Juan National Forest in Cortez in 1963.

She was a member of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church and the Order of Eastern Star. Nellie had a passionate interest in the Native American Indian culture and was an avid collector of their work. She also loved to play the organ.

All of Nellie's family preceded her in death. She is survived by dear friends that she considered family. For the last ten years Ron and Nellie Zimmerman befriended her and lovingly cared for Nellie. She also leaves behind friends, Martha and Leonard Snowden, of Falcon, Mo., and Marlene and Harry Moore, of LaVeta, Colo. She will be greatly missed.

Services for Arleta J. Blowers, a lifelong resident of Cortez, will be held Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2000, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 2 p.m. Burial will be at the Cortez Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Johnny Arrington of the Dolores United Methodist Church.

Visitation has been scheduled for Monday afternoon between the hours 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Ertel Chapel.

Arleta was born in Rico, Colo., on May 4, 1928, the daughter of Ralph and Alta (Cardwell) Shearer. She passed away at the Vista Grande Nursing Home on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000. Her husband, Paul Edgar Blowers preceded her in death on Oct. 23, 1995.

Surviving Arleta, is her only son, Mickey Blowers, of Cortez; and her sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Frank Hill, also of Cortez.

In addition to her husband, Arleta was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Bill Shearer; and two sisters, Norma Randolph and Connie Shearer.

Ertel Funeral Home will be directing the services.

Mrs. Evermonde passed away at Mercy Medical Center on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2000. She was 80 years old. Mary was born the daughter of Frank Lee Groce and Ruth Genevieve (Cook) Groce.

Mary was very active in the Senior Center and the Kitchen Band. She played bridge whenever she was able. Mary and her husband, James, loved to square dance and also were active in community affairs.

She is survived by two daughters, Dorothy Ann Gentry, of Bountiful, Utah, and Jane Ellen Atchison, of Ormand Beach, Fla., and seven grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. A sister, Francis Woodley, of Beaumont, Calif.; a brother, Fredrick Groce, of Pennsylvania, and a stepsister, Mildred Dragon, of Florida, also survive Mary.

Mary was predeceased by her husband, James Ellery Evermonde Sr., on Feb. 17, 1996, and her son, James Ellery Evermonde Jr., in September, 1999. Two sisters, Dorothy and Margaret; and a brother, Herbert, also preceded her in death.

Charlie was born in Berryville, Ark., on July 5, 1927, the son of Frank Donaldson and Violet (Baysinger) Donaldson. He passed away at Mercy Medical Center in Durango on Mon., Jan. 31, 2000. He was 72 years old. On July 28, 1943, Charlie married Georgia H. Stevenson in Aztec, N.M. They had celebrated more than 56 years of marriage together.

He is survived by his wife Georgia Donaldson, of Mancos; his children and their spouses, Floyd and Shirley Donaldson of Rozet, Wyo.; Boyd and Claudette Donaldson, of Cortez; Mary Charlene Donaldson, of Cortez; and Sharon and Joe Ward, of Mancos; a daughter-in-law, Louise Donaldson, of Mesa, Colo.; 23 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren; and a brother, Johnny Donaldson, and his wife, Paula, of Cortez.

Charlie is predeceased by his parents, his son LeRoy, one sister, and three half-brothers.

Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Charles Donaldson to the charity of your choice, or to Georgia Donaldson, 31104 CR P, Mancos, CO 81328.

George Andrew James of Dolores passed away in his sleep early Sunday morning, Jan. 30, 2000, in Farmington, N.M. He was 80.

He was born Nov. 3, 1919, in Memphis, Tenn., to William and Mary An Lockwood James. He was orphaned at an early age and was raised by Samuel and Ethel Redford. George grew up in McElmo Canyon, which is where he met his sweetheart Betty Baer. They were married in Monticello, Utah, Oct. 26, 1940, and they have four children.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Betty E. James of Dolores; sons Bob (Lorraine) of Farmington, N.M.; Joe (Patricia) of Flagstaff, Ariz.; Bill (Linda) of Oak Ridge North, Texas, and daughter Shirley (Bill Clarkson of Buffalo, S.D.; 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a brother, Joe James, of New Braunfels, Texas, and a sister, Grace Shrum, of Pharr, Texas.

George enjoyed the outdoors: hunting, boating, camping, horseback riding. He loved his family and was so proud of their accomplishments.

Graveside funeral services for Edward M. Dutchie Sr. were held Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at 11 a.m. at the Utah Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Camp Williams, in Lehi, Utah. Full Military Honors and Color Guard from the Army conducted the graveside rites. Edward was ranked as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army, serving his country during World War II. He is a member of the Ute Mountain Veterans Association.

Edward was born in Allen Canyon, Utah on Mar. 3, 1918. He passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Wed., Jan. 26, 2000, at the age of 81.

Edward was a member of the Allen Canyon Ute Cattleman's Association, the Ute Mountain Ute Cattleman's Association, of Towaoc, and worked wrangling and breaking horses for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. He also worked as a jockey in his younger years. Edward was a language interpreter for the Ute Tribal Council for many years. He was very proud of his membership in the Native American Church.

Surviving him are his children, Bonnie Colorow, of Fort Duchesne, Utah; Edward M. Dutchie Jr., of Blanding, Utah; Azaliea Dutchie, of Blanding, Utah; and Rodney Hatch, of Towaoc, Colo.; 11 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Patty Mills Dutchie, in December of 1999, and by a son, Lonnie Dutchie. Edward was predeceased by his brother, Arthur Dutchie; sister, Primrose Dutchie; an infant twin brother; granddaughter, Shawnee Seely; and a great-grandson, Colby Lansing.

Ertel Funeral Home conducted the funeral services.

Funeral services for Ann (Riffe) Cunnius were held Jan. 24, 2000, in Wapanucka, Okla. Burial was in Rosehill Cemetery there.

Mrs. Cunnius was born in Oklahoma City on Dec. 29, 1935, the daughter of Benjamin Sanford Riffe and Georgia O’della Sloan. She graduated from Cement High School in Cement, Okla. She was a long-time resident of Cortez and had belonged to the Cortez Christian Church for more than 20 years. She had lived in Aztec, N.M., for five years before moving to Bromide, Okla., one month prior to her death.

She is survived by a son, Scott Cunnius, of Cortez; a daughter, Sherry Stroud, also of Cortez; and three grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother, Charles Riffe, Las Vegas, Nev., and a sister, Rogene Abney, Oakhurst, Calif. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Neil and Ben Riffe, and two sisters, Betty Jo Petty and Sue Sellers.

Funeral services for Virginia Otero Montano will be held Friday, Jan. 28, 2000, at St. Rita's Catholic Church in Mancos, beginning at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at the Cedar Grove Cemetery.

Rosary services will be held Thursday evening at St. Rita's Catholic Church beginning at 7 p.m.

Virginia passed away at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos, on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2000. She was 72 years old. She was born in Aragon, N.M., on Oct. 16, 1927, the daughter of Francisco Orona and Rumalda (Otero) Orona.

Virginia came to this area in 1993 and moved to the Valley Inn Nursing Home in 1997. She was the President of the Resident Council there at the Valley Inn.

Surviving Virginia are her two sons and their wives, J.R. and Tracy Orona, of Mancos, and Mark and Aida Orona, of Springerville, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Nathan and Casey Orona, both of Mancos; Alicia, Adam, and Andrew Orona, all of Springerville, Ariz.; and one great-grandson, Mario Tito Lucero, also of Springerville, Ariz. Virginia is also survived by four brothers, Emilio Orona and Florenio Orona, both of Springerville, Ariz.; Robert Orona, of Quemada, N.M., and Frank Orona, of Springerville, Ariz.; and three sisters, Priscilla Armijo, of Soccorro, N.M.; Annie Ulibarri, of Springerville, Ariz.; and Angelina Anaya, of Tijeras, N.M.; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Virginia Montano with St. Rita's Catholic Church. Ertel Funeral Home will be in charge of the services.

Memorial services for longtime Dove Creek resident Lewis Carvell will be held Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2000, at the Dove Creek Assembly of God Church beginning at 11 a.m. Pastor Marvin Pemberton and Albert Hall will officiate.

Lewis was born in Max, N.D. on Nov. 10, 1915, to Edward Benton Carvell and Jenny Myrle Peterson Carvell. He passed away at the San Juan Hospital in Monticello, Utah, on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2000, at the age of 84.

On Feb. 21, 1948, Lewis married Mary Ellen Henderson in Denver, Colo. They had celebrated more than 51 years of marriage together. Lewis was a member of the Dove Creek Assembly of God Church and had served his country in the U.S. Army.

Surviving him are his wife, Mary Carvell, of Dove Creek; his children and their spouses, Myrle and Paul Riveness, of Blaine, Minn.; Nathan and Beth Carvell, of Dove Creek; Earl and Pat Carvell, of Washington; Patsy and Dwight Duke, of Hensler, N.D.; Jerry Carvell, of Dove Creek; Patricia Tripp, of Salem, Mo.; Jenny and Rodney Young, of Dove Creek; Bertha Young and her friend, Jerry Leigh; of Dove Creek; Lois and Ray Grant, of Ohio; and Linda and Jack Carroll, of Fort Collins, Colo. Lewis is also survived by 26 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Martha Cory, of Washington, and Jeannine Pearce, of Hemet, Calif.

Preceding him in death were his parents; a sister, Bertha Lettman; brothers, Austin, David, and Richard; his first wife, Frances; daughter, Druscilla; sons Milton and Francis; a stillborn child; grandchildren, Sheilla, Polly Ann, Donna Denise; and a son-in-law, Leon Buck.

Ertel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Edith Lenore Williams passed away at her home south of Dove Creek on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000. Memorial services will be held Friday, Jan. 28, 2000, at the Dove Creek Memorial Hall beginning at 1 p.m. Rev. Bud Rousset will officiate. Mrs. Williams' cremains will be interred at her home place.

Born the daughter of Oliver Whitmarsh and Essie (Wells) Whitmarsh, Edith was born on Dec. 18, 1924, in Grey, Okla. She married Aaron Craig Williams in Sunray, Texas on June 9, 1944. Craig passed away in 1994, months after they had celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Edith leaves behind two sons, Alfred C. Williams, of Montevideo, Uraguay, and Steve Williams, and his wife Christie, of Mancos; a daughter and her husband, Carol and Ron Dewey, of Dove Creek; four grandchildren, John Williams, Rod Williams, Tonya Williams, and Cary Whitfield; five great-grandchildren, Michael Williams, Ashley Williams, Kally Williams, Catherin Williams, and Landon Williams; and two sisters, Patricia Ann Conn, of Golden, Colo., and Lilly Rose Tanner, of Cortez.

Preceding Edith in death in addition to her husband, Craig, is a brother, Ben Freeman, as well as an infant brother; and three sisters, Lafawn Watkins, Willie Jo Peterson, and Elsie Mae Sanchez.

Edith loved her friends, and to sew and spend time in her garden. She had worked part-time as a bookkeeper for Knuckles Pumping.

Following the memorial services, a gathering and reception will be held at Edith's home south of Dove Creek, at 15063 S. County Road 5.

Memorial services for Manuel Lucero, 82, are scheduled for 11 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 25th at the Dolores First Baptist Church.

Manuel was born in La Jara, N.M., on Dec. 25, 1917, the son of Francisco and Rita Lucero. He died at his home on Monday, January 17, 2000.

Survivors include his son and daughter-in-law, Manuel and Nancy Lucero of Albuquerque, N.M.; four grandchildren, Manuel Lucero III, Timothy Lucero, Wendy Lucero and Dorinda Lucero, all of Albuquerque; nine great-grandchildren; a nephew, Willie Lucero, of Durango; and many other nephews, nieces and extended family.

Arrangements are being handled through the Ertel Funeral Home.

Jack was born April 11, 1905, in Logan County, Okla., the son of Thomas H. and Minnie N. Pedigo. He passed away Sat., Jan. 15, 2000, at Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 94.

He married Neva E. Williford, Apr. 15, 1929, in Chandler, Okla. One son, Thomas W. was born May 28, 1930.

Jack was employed with Sinclair Oil Co. from 1924 until 1939. The family lived in Oklahoma, Kansas and Wyoming. They moved to their farm west of Pleasant View in 1939.

He and Neva were charter members of Rainbelt Grange 464 when it was organized. Jack was Charter Master for six years and Deputy State Master for 12 years. They were charter members of the Cortez Christian Church.

Jack and Neva spent their retirement years going to and from Yuma, Ariz., until Neva passed away there in Yuma of Alzheimer's in 1992. Jack moved back and spent a few months at Pleasant View before moving to Madison House.

Preceding Jack in death were his parents, one brother, one sister, and one great-grandson.

He leaves his son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Ima Pedigo, of Pleasant View; four grandchildren, Linda C. Davies, Max L. Pedigo, Jon K. Pedigo, and Cindy J. Elliott; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Jack Pedigo to Madison House or the Alzheimer's Disease Foundation. Ertel Funeral Home was in charge of conducting the graveside services.

Funeral services for Edna M. Stone Dunn, 96, of Cortez are scheduled for Friday, Jan. 21, 2000, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 2:30 p.m. Interment will be at the Cortez Cemetery. Rev. Raymond Boyd will officiate. Visitation has been set for Friday morning between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon at the Ertel Chapel.

Edna, a longtime resident of Cortez, passed away at the Pine Street Care Center on Monday, Jan. 17, 2000. She was born to John Bauld and Missouri (Renolds) Bauld on July 14, 1903, in Brocksberg, Neb. Edna was a member of the Rebekah Lodge and the First Southern Baptist Church of Cortez.

She is survived by her children, Jessamine and Jesse West, of Cortez; Raye and Merrill Kennedy, of Dolores; Glenn and Rita Stone, of Gallup, N.M.; Jerald and Janice Stone, of Dolores; Charles and Bonnie Stone, of Manter, Kans.; and Judy and Dan Bishop, of Dolores.

Ertel Funeral Home will be conducting the services.

John Ellis Cammack, 74, of Cortez, passed away in Albuquerque, N.M., at the New Mexico Heart Institute on Sunday, Jan. 16, 2000. Private family memorial services will be held.

Mr. Cammack was born in Pittsburg, Pa., on Jan. 19, 1925, to John Ellis Cammack and Grace (Evans) Cammack.

John married Dorothy Elaine Johannes in Hubbard, Ohio, on July 29, 1945. They had celebrated 54 years of marriage together.

Surviving John are his wife, Dorothy Cammack, of Cortez; his children and their spouses, Darlene and Don Denison, of Cortez; Dale and Barbara Cammack, of Las Vegas, Nev.; and Diane and Cliff Wagoner, also of Las Vegas, Nev.; four grandchildren, and six grandchildren.

Graveside services for Willie Edward "Bill" Hamilton will be held Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000, at the Summit Ridge Cemetery beginning at 3:30 p.m. Elder Cordell Uptain will be officiating.

Bill was born in St. Claire County, Mo., on Jan. 20, 1910, the son of Grover Francis Hamilton and Grace (Kirkpatrick) Hamilton. He died at the Valley Inn Nursing Home in Mancos on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2000. He was 89 years old.

Moving to Montezuma County in 1927, Bill dedicated his life to farming.

He is survived by his nephew and his wife, Oscar and Barbara Hamilton, of Dolores, Colo.; two nieces and their husbands, Maribeth and Melvin Hicks, of Cortez, and Gloria and Jerry Hall, of Dolores; great-niece, Kendall Allen, of Dolores; great-nephews, Brent Hamilton, of Dolores, and Rusty Hamilton, of Aztec, N.M.; two great great-nieces, Calyn Allen, of Dolores, and Rayla Hamilton, of Aztec, N.M.; and four great great-nephews, Darmaun Hamilton and Chris Hamilton, both of Aztec, N.M., Stetson Hamilton and Tel Hamilton, both of Dolores.

Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Greg Allen Morris, 38, of Cortez, will be held Monday, Jan. 17, 2000, at the Ertel Memorial Chapel beginning at 11 a.m. Pastor Dan Rhodes of the First Baptist Church will officiate. Cremation is to follow.

Greg was born June 26, 1961, in Phoenix, Ariz., the son of Allen Raymond Morris and Ruth Louise (Johnson) Morris. He died Tues., Jan. 11, 2000, at his home in Cortez.

While serving his country in the Navy, Greg earned his GED. Greg leaves behind to mourn his death his mother, Ruth Morris, of Cortez; two sisters and their husbands, Nancy Lou and Will Kroener, of Phoenix, Ariz., and Susan Beth and Gary Porlier, of Enumclaw, Wash.; a nephew, Michael Ian Porlier of Enumclaw, Wash.; a niece, Debra Dawn Bratrsovsky, of Fort Morgan, Colo.; a grand-niece, Rachel Whacker, of Fort Morgan, Colo., and a grand-nephew, Matthew Bratrsovsky, also of Fort Morgan, Colo.

Louie V. Nelson, a Dolores resident, passed away Saturday, Dec. 18, 1999 in Wichita, Kans. He was 63 years of age.

Services will take place 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2000 at the Cortez Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1304 E. Empire. Adrian Van Nieuwal will officiate.

Mr. Nelson was a house painter. He enjoyed fishing, reading and cooking, and particularly loved cooking shows on television.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Nelson of Dolores.; sons Paul Nelson and wife, Lucy, of Los Lunas, N.M.; and Mike O. Nelson of Dolores; his mother, Sylvia Nelson of Wichita; and a brother, Stewart Nelson of Lebanon, Mo.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Shemeka and her husband, Ramon, Val Jr., Jennifer, Adrian, and Chantell Nelson; one great-grandchild, Isaac; his aunt, Ruth; uncles Vic of Dolores and George of Grand Junction; nephew, Robert Nelson of Derby, Kans.; niece Barbara Main of Wichita; father-in-law, Jerry Williams; several sisters-in-law and cousins.

Graveside interment services will be held for Nancy Kathleen Houghton, 63, of Cortez, on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000, at the Summit Ridge Cemetery beginning at 2 p.m.

Mrs. Houghton passed away at St. Joseph Hospital in Denver, Colo., on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2000. She was born in Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 18, 1936, the daughter of Daniel F. Herron and Bertha M. (Lewis) Herron.

Nancy had worked as a pharmacist in this area for many years. She also held membership in the Ute Mountain Gem and Mineral Society.

Surviving Nancy are two stepsons and their wives, John and Donna Houghton, of Oregon, and Scott and Frances Houghton, of Colorado; her stepmother, Helen Herron, of Missouri; and five grandchildren, John Houghton Jr., Trevor Houghton, Jacob Houghton, Annie Houghton, and Scott Houghton Jr.

Nancy's husband, George Robert Houghton, preceded her in death in 1993.

Ertel Funeral Home is in charge of the services.

Lillian May Harr, longtime resident of Cortez, passed away Jan. 8, 2000 at Southwest Memorial Hospital. She was 88 years old.

Memorial services will take place 11 a.m., Jan. 11, at the First Southern Baptist Church of Cortez.

Cortez Four Corners Funeral Chapel, Hale and Gerken Funeral Directors are serving the family.

Graveside services for Melanie Sue Sexton will be held Thursday, Jan 13, 2000, at the Cortez Cemetery beginning at 10 a.m.

Melanie passed away at Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, S.D., on Friday, Jan. 7, 2000. She had been a resident of Lead, S.D.

Born Oct. 4, 1960, in Cortez, Melanie was the daughter of Darrell D. and Marjorie S. (Atkinson) Dennison. She graduated from Montezuma-Cortez High School in 1979 and from Grand Junction Beauty College in 1981. On May 10, 1986, Melanie married Roy A. Sexton at Commerce City, Colo. They moved to the Black Hills in 1989.

Survivors include her husband, Roy, of Lead, S.D.; a daughter, Brittany G. Sexton, also of Lead; her parents, Darrell and Shirley Dennison, of Cortez; two sisters, Cherie Dennison, and Michelle Olsen, both of Cortez; a brother, Darrell R. Dennison, of Cortez; her maternal grandmother, Lucy Delost; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

Her paternal grandparents and maternal grandfather preceded Melanie in death.

Services will be under the direction of the Ertel Funeral Home.

Etta Mae Florence "Flossie" Hampton, a lifelong resident of Mancos, passed away at her home on Jan. 4, 2000. She was 65 years of age.

A memorial service is set for Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Mancos. Reverend Paul Wilson will officiate. The services will conclude at the church.

Etta Mae Florence Hampton was born Feb. 23, 1935, in Mancos, to Frank and Amy Flora Freeman McCarty. She grew up in Mancos, and graduated from the Mancos High School. She continued her life in Mancos as a homemaker.

‘Flossie,’ as her many friends called her, attended and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Mancos. She also volunteered many hours to the Good Samaritan Thrift Store over the past six to seven years.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Robert F. and Maureen (Brosnan) Hampton, of Mancos; cousins Pete and Patricia Stevenson of Mancos; second cousins Mark and Sean Stevenson, also of Mancos, and many, many friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents and an infant sister.

Patricia Ann Kinne, age 61, of Dove Creek, passed away on Dec. 30, 1999, in Little Rock, Ark. Pat had battled bone cancer for the past 21 months and was receiving treatment at the UAMS Medical center at the time of her death.

Pat was born in Madrid, Iowa on Oct. 11, 1938. She married Everett Kinne on May 29, 1954.

Pat resided in Woodward, Iowa, for 48 years, raising a family of seven, before moving to Colorado in 1996. Everett and Pat celebrated their 45th wedding on May 29, 1999.

Pat was preceded in death by her father, Alan Mougin and her baby sister, Linda Jean Mougin, both of Woodward, Iowa.

She is survived by her mother, Hilda Mougin of Dove Creek; her husband, Everett Kinne of Dove Creek; her children, Vicki Biondi of Chandalar Lake, Ark.; Terri Crawford of Dolores; Kalen Kinne of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; Kim Kinne of Marietta, Ga.; Juli Rogers of Monticello, Utah; Tracey Kinne of Dove Creek; and Cara Rice of Midland, Texas. She is also survived by 20 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Patricia will always be remembered by her friends and family as a wonderful homemaker and hostess to all who entered her home. She was a beloved daughter, wife, mother and friend.

Pat was a strong woman with a gentle spirit and kind heart. She loved all children and was adored by all who knew her for her unselfish acts of kindness. Much of her life was spent in volunteer work sharing the "good news" of the Bible and her hope of the future foretold within it. She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her, but who also look forward to the fulfillment of Rev. 21:1-4.

Memorial services for Patricia will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Cortez on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2000 at 1 p.m.

Ernest (Hokey) Reed Roubidoux, former resident of the Dolores area, passed away at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas, on Jan. 3, 2000, at the age of 78. he was born in Cortez to Mark and Ernestine Roubidoux on Sept. 22, 1921. He died from complications of a burn accident that occurred at his homein Granbury, Texas.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Shirley, of Granbury; sons Raymond Roubidoux and his wife of Walden, Colo., and Russel and wife Carol Roubidoux of Henderson, Colo; daughters Connie and husband Larry Koch of Aurora, Colo., and Patricia and Danny Stewart of Missouri. He is also survived by brothers Raymond Roubidoux of Salt Lake City and Mark Mitchell Roubidoux of Pullman, Wash.; sisters Lilliian Roubidoux Simmons Clemonson of Dolores and Lola Roubidoux Chesnut Wright of Yuma Ariz., and numerous nephews, nieces and friends.

Arrangements are pending with the Ertel Funeral Home for Arriola resident, Forrest Douglas Capps.

Mr. Capps passed away at his home in Arriola on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2000, at the age of 76. He was born June 2, 1923, in Mexia, Texas, to Lee Wesley and Bertha (Pitts) Capps.

Surviving him is his wife, Carol Lynn Capps, of the family home.

For further service information, please contact the Ertel Funeral Home at 565-3468.

Thomas Robert House, a longtime Dolores area resident, passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Monday, Jan. 3, 2000. He was 82 years old. Thomas was born on Jan. 6, 1917, in Glasgow, Mont., to Royal Edward House and Edna Grace (Burke) House.

Mr. House is survived by his children and their spouses, Martin and Quarlene House, of Coalgate, Okla., LeRoy and Kris House, of Arvada, Colo., and Helen and Rick Lee, of Dolores; five grandchildren; three brothers, Dick, Wes, and Duaine, all of Montana; and his sister, Ruth Lein, of Elko, Nev.

Arrangements are being made through the Ertel Funeral Home.

Private family services will be held at a later date for James Allen Barrett, a lifelong resident of this area.

Mr. Barrett passed away at Southwest Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2000. He was 80 years old. James was born the son of James E. Barrett and Ida F. (Lawton) Barrett in Cortez on Jan. 5, 1919.

James attended grades 1-12 here in Cortez, graduating from Cortez Union High School. During World War II James served his country in the Army and the Air Force. For 23 months, James was held as a prisoner of war in Germany.

On June 16, 1940, James married Frances Normera Petty in Durango, Colo. They had celebrated 59 years of marriage together.

James was a life member of the Cortez Elks Lodge #1789, a member of the Mancos VFW, and Mancos Lodge of Masons.

Those left behind to mourn his passing are his wife, Frances Barrett, of Mancos; his daughter and her husband, Susan and John Kuenzler, of Cortez; his son, James F. Barrett, of Redding, Calif.; two grandsons, Zane Kuenzler, of Cortez, and Kermitt Barrett, of Ouray, Colo.; three granddaughters, Natasha Reinhard, and her husband, Eric, of Downey, Calif., Alesha Barrett, of Red Bluff, Calif., Corinna Barrett, of Red Bluff, Calif.; former daughter-in-law, Maxine Barrett, also of Red Bluff, Calif.; and two sisters, Eleanor Brandon, of Wasilla, Alaska, and Bee Wright, of Del Mar, Calif. Two brothers, Jack Barrett and Joe Barrett preceded him in death.