About Us
Meet Our Caring Staff
Ryan and Kristal Phelps have owned and operated Hood Mortuary since 2005. Their passion is assisting and serving the Durango Community during one of the most difficult times most will face.
Ryan has worked in this industry at Hood Mortuary since 1994. He attended Fort Lewis College and Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service.
Kristal (a Durango Native and Pioneer family) attended Fort Lewis College. She assists client/families with services as well as pre-need funeral planning.
Ryan and Kristal attended Durango High School (Class of 1994) and are High School "Sweethearts". Pictured here with their daughter, Sarah - A Senior at Durango High.
Ryan and Kristal Phelps have owned and operated Hood Mortuary since 2005. Their passion is assisting and serving the Durango Community during one of the most difficult times most will face.
Ryan has worked in this industry at Hood Mortuary since 1994. He attended Fort Lewis College and Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service.
Kristal (a Durango Native and Pioneer family) attended Fort Lewis College. She assists client/families with services as well as pre-need funeral planning.
Ryan and Kristal attended Durango High School (Class of 1994) and are High School "Sweethearts". Pictured here with their daughter, Sarah - A Senior at Durango High.
Matthew Haber (pictured left) is the son of Traci Haber (pictured center) who was formally our administrative assistant. We are lucky to keep a Haber here! Matthew is currently enrolled in college courses, but works with us at Hood as a cremationist, evening on call, and overall apprentice. Matthews’s true gift is his compassion while working with our client/families through the grieving process.
Also pictured is Zachary, who is Matthews’s brother and Traci's youngest son.
Matthew Haber (pictured left) is the son of Traci Haber (pictured center) who was formally our administrative assistant. We are lucky to keep a Haber here! Matthew is currently enrolled in college courses, but works with us at Hood as a cremationist, evening on call, and overall apprentice. Matthews’s true gift is his compassion while working with our client/families through the grieving process.
Also pictured is Zachary, who is Matthews’s brother and Traci's youngest son.
Josh Ferenz has been living in this area for many years. He is currently raising his daughter in Bayfield, CO. with his lovely wife. Josh puts his heart into helping members of our communities through difficult times and loss. When not at work Josh enjoys making art, woodworking and getting out in the wilderness with his family to enjoy the beauty of this area where we get to live and play.
Josh Ferenz has been living in this area for many years. He is currently raising his daughter in Bayfield, CO. with his lovely wife. Josh puts his heart into helping members of our communities through difficult times and loss. When not at work Josh enjoys making art, woodworking and getting out in the wilderness with his family to enjoy the beauty of this area where we get to live and play.
Danielle Holcomb is a San Diego, California transplant with family roots in southwest Colorado. She is currently attending Arapahoe Community College and completing a degree in mortuary science. She has a true passion for caring for people and being empathetic during all aspects of an individuals’ life or circumstances. She is a visual artist who loves gardening and hiking with her partner and three rescued dogs.
Danielle Holcomb is a San Diego, California transplant with family roots in southwest Colorado. She is currently attending Arapahoe Community College and completing a degree in mortuary science. She has a true passion for caring for people and being empathetic during all aspects of an individuals’ life or circumstances. She is a visual artist who loves gardening and hiking with her partner and three rescued dogs.
Cat Smith is a dual licensed funeral director from Oklahoma. With a great passion for learning, she has practiced funeral directing in Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico and has experience in the non- profit sector with anatomical gifts of tissue donation. Outside of work, Cat loves tending to her tropical plants, spending time with her dog, Goat, paddle boarding, and riding her motorcycle. Cat has a strong desire to serve others, loves to learn new concepts, and to continuously grow into betterand more refined versions of herself.
Cat Smith is a dual licensed funeral director from Oklahoma. With a great passion for learning, she has practiced funeral directing in Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico and has experience in the non- profit sector with anatomical gifts of tissue donation. Outside of work, Cat loves tending to her tropical plants, spending time with her dog, Goat, paddle boarding, and riding her motorcycle. Cat has a strong desire to serve others, loves to learn new concepts, and to continuously grow into betterand more refined versions of herself.
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