Marvin Conrad

Longtime resident of Bayfield, Marvin Conrad, passed away on Saturday, February 22 after a 19 month battle with leukemia. Marvin was born in Burbank CA, February 6, 1935 to Walter and Billie Conrad. He graduated from Durango High School in 1952. He went on to graduate from Fort Lewis College with an AA degree in Animal Husbandry. He served in the Army from 1957 to 1960. In 1961 he married Catherine Brennan. He was a jack-of-all-trades; started his radio career at KIUP, he then moved to Colorado Springs where he worked in both radio and television. He was a manager, salesman, truck driver, tipple operator at the King Coal Mine, bookkeeper and insurance agent. Marv was a member of the startup management teams for both Sky Ute Casino and Sunray Casino. He was a member of: The Durango Drum and Bugle Corp, Masonic Lodge, Shriners, Bayfield Lions Club, Pine River T.V. Association, charter member of the original Bayfield Chamber of Commerce, Vice President for the Southwest Republican Party, Life Underwriters, on the Board of Directors for the Southwest Colorado Federal Credit Union since 1992, Pine River Heritage Society as well as helped establish The Pine River Valley Museum, Cattlemen (President for 3 years), La Plata Archuleta Water District, and La Plata County Weed/Rodent Control Committee. Marv was an emcee for many of the Cattlemen banquets as well as parade announcer for the Bayfield 4th of July Parade. He was an avid pool player, golfer and played volleyball weekly until the age of 75. He is survived by his wife Catherine, son Scott, daughter Tamara, two grandsons and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Val. A Celebration of Marv's Life will be held at the Durango Holiday Inn on April 5, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the Pine River Valley Heritage Society, P.O. Box 1981, Bayfield, CO 81122 or to the local American Cancer Society, 1800 East 3rd Ave., Ste. 101, Durango, CO 81301.