Donald Rea

Donald L. Rea passed away suddenly on Friday evening, September 21, 2012, of natural causes. He was 69. Donald was born in Durango to Ralph Emerson Rea and Cathlene G. Rea February 27, 1943. He lived on the family ranch southeast of the La Plata County Airport. He went to elementary school in the Oxford one-room schoolhouse until 4th grade, when he transferred to the Ignacio School District. Donald graduated from Ignacio High School in 1961. Donald enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed briefly in Beeville, Texas, with his older brother Rex Rea, before being assigned to Naval Intelligence in Okinawa, Japan. Donald married Carmen K. Preston on July 12, 1966. Donald worked briefly for Wiseman's Hardware in Ignacio. He went to work with his brother Ronald Rea for the Ignacio Shur-Valu, and after 26 years had been in charge of the meat department for most of that time. Donald retired after working for Albertson's for seven years, most of which was as department manager. Donald was a proud member of Durango B.P.O.E. #507, serving a term as trustee, and was a member of the American Legion. Donald was an avid outdoorsman, loving his fishing, hunting, boating and spending time with family and friends. Master of a practical joke or prank telephone call, Donald loved telling wild stories, and never let the truth get in the way of good entertainment. Donald is preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters. He is survived by brothers Earl Rea of Ignacio, Chet Warner of Perry, Utah, and Rex Rea of Arvada; sisters Shirley Sutherlin of Middle Mesa, N.M., Georgie Dittmar and Linda Searcy of Durango, Peggy Leyshon of Ignacio, Mary Goeglein of Farmington, N.M., and Sandra Walker of Naturita, Colo. Donald is survived by his wife of 46 years, Carmen Rea, sons Preston and Jeffrey, four grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. He will be remembered fondly by nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends too numerous to count. A celebration of Donald's life will be held at his favorite place, his property at Navajo Lake overlooking Sambrito Creek. Please gather about 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 30, 2012, by turning south in Arboles from Highway 151 onto Archuleta County Road 975 and follow the signs. Supper will be served. Donald told his great-granddaughters during a camping trip there on Labor Day, "There's no crying at the lake, we only cry when we have to go home." In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elk's Scholarship Fund, 901 E. 2nd Ave., Durango, CO 81301.