Donald Archuleta

Longtime Durango resident Donald Leonard Archuleta died of natural causes in his home in Durango on July 25, 2012. He was 65.

He was born Nov. 1, 1946, and delivered by "Doc" McKinley at what is now the Gable house in Durango and adopted by Thomas M. Archuleta and Alicia Archuleta.

Known as "Leonard" to his family, he attended grade school and high school in Bayfield and graduated in 1964.

He served in the US Army from 1964 to 1967, where he became known as "Don" or "Arch." He was stationed in Stuttgart, Germany and served as Personnel and Finance Specialist. He received an honorable discharge and held a rank of E4.

While stationed in Germany, he met his first wife, Maria Klein, the mother of his two daughters, Lauren and Erin. Maria died in 1971, while they were living in California in the Bay Area.

On a blind date in October 1989, he met María Spero. They were married at the Gazebo in Rotary Park on August 22, 2009, soul mates after a courtship of 20 years.

In the 1970's, Don was a case worker for the La Plata County Department of Social Services for 8 years where he was a favorite advocate of approximately 500 clients enrolled in the Old Age Pension program. He held various positions in survey, construction and maintenance, and then worked for 10 years in the printing business, with both Print Connection and ColorQuest. He was also a courier for the City of Durango, delivering mail and supplies to all the various departments.

He was an active member of the V.F.W. Men's Auxiliary Post #4031 in Durango where he participated in many events with his close friends. Most recently, he was proud to have flag duty for the parade on the 4th of July, when he drove his '81 El Camino to help distribute and pick up flags.

Don loved people and had many friends. When his mother, Alicia Archuleta, suffered a stroke in January 1995, he lovingly cared for her at home until her death 13 years later, with the help from his wife, María Spero and the wonderful people at San Juan Basin Health. Alicia was 99 years and 3 months old at the time of her death. During the years of home care, with the help of friends, he enjoyed a few respite vacations in Oaxaca, Mexico, with his wife and a yearly soak in the hot springs in Pagosa Springs.

After his mom's death, he especially loved singing at the V.F.W. on karaoke nights and participating in the Men's Auxiliary events. His daughters say they remember him singing to records or to the radio all through their childhood. He enjoyed gardening and playing rummy with his wife, María, and telling jokes to his friends, who say he had a heart of gold and was always there for them, and that his tamales were the best ever.

He was a master of sports and music trivia--winning many radio contests without ever Googling for the answer. He was also a loyal supporter of the FLC Women's Basketball team and an avid fan of the Colorado Rockies and the Oakland Raiders. He often said, "I'll be a Raiders fan until the day I die."

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Maria Klein, who died in 1971, his father Thomas M. Archuleta in 1962, him mother Alicia Archuleta in 2008.

He is survived by his wife, María Spero of Durango, his daughters Lauren Browning of Bronxville, NY and Erin Archuleta of White Plains, N.Y., his adopted brother, Thomas A. Archuleta, Sr., of Richmond, Ky., and his half-brother Cecil Parker of Corpus Christi, Texas, his aunt Flora Archuleta of Bloomfield, uncle Joe Martinez of Oregon, two grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and a nephew.

Cremation has occurred. A memorial service will be held at 5:00 p.m., Friday, August 17, 2012 at the V.F.W. Post #4031, 1550 Main Ave., in Durango.

Memorial contributions for the dedication of a plaque by "his tree" in Rotary Park can be made to the V.F.W. Post #4031, 1550 Main Ave., Durango, CO 81301.