Bingley "Bing" Burke Fretwell

Bingley “Bing” Burke Fretwell passed away in his home on December 28, 2022, at the age of 82. He was born to Richard Francis Fretwell and Ruth Hunter Fretwell on February 9, 1940, in Galveston, TX. He graduated from Ball High School in Galveston, where he was active in sports and loved swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. After 1 year of college at the Texas State University in San Marcos, TX, he joined the US Army and was stationed in Sapporo, Japan, and worked in communications. After serving honorably in the Army for 4 years, he found employment in the oil and gas industry and lived in Saudi Arabia, Norway and Texas. It was during this time that he married Harriet Gale Perry (and later divorced) and raised 2 sons. In 1992, he medically retired from Amerada Hess in Seminole, Tx, where he worked as a supervisor in the industrial turbine engine department, then moved to Durango, CO, to marry longtime Durango resident Margaret Donoghue. Bing was an active and proud member of the Durango Elks, BPOE Lodge #507. He held many local offices and was District Deputy for 2 terms; he was involved in many committees and participated in practically all of the Elks’ functions and competitions. He was most proud to be the Exalted Ruler for the Durango Elks’ 100^th year celebration in 1999. Bing loved golfing, deep sea fishing, traveling, animals of all kinds and the Dallas Cowboys; he was an avid reader and a big supporter of the Bud Light brewing company! His friends and family would say that Bing was generous, compassionate and witty, always with a new joke to tell. He contributed to many charitable organizations and was a man of his word. Bing is survived by his wife, Margaret Donoghue Fretwell; sons Perry K Fretwell (Shannon) and Richard D Fretwell; stepdaughter Rhonda K Baird (Ed); grandchildren Maegan, Patrick, Josh, Avery, Kyla and Dean; 4 great grandchildren; nephew Gary Steinberg and 2 nieces. Upon Bing’s request, there will be no funeral service; a memorial for the family will be held at a later date to scatter his ashes in the Gulf of Mexico. Memorial contributions in Bing’s name may be made to the La Plata County Humane Society or to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital.