1929
Russell
2014
Russell Bonds
November 14, 1929 — September 30, 2014
Obituary for Russell "Junior" Bonds
Russell J. “Junior” Bonds, 84, died Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at his life-long home in Durango, Colorado. He lived in Bondad, Colorado for his entire life. A joint celebration of life will be held for Junior and his wife JoAnna on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at 10:00 am in the Exhibit Hall of the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Please honor the Bonds Family dress code by wearing blue jeans.
Junior was born November 14, 1929 in Bondad, Colorado, the son of Russell and Vandella Bonds. Junior graduated from Durango High School in 1948. He married JoAnna Gibbs on July 3, 1952 in Aztec, N.M., while Junior was on leave from the U.S. Army. They had begun their courtship years prior, and, after the wedding, JoAnna followed him to Alaska, where he was deployed. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon Junior’s discharge from the Army, the couple returned home to Bondad, Colo., and began working the land at the family ranch. Four children blessed the couple.
Junior belonged to the La Plata County Cattlemen. He even was awarded Cattlemen of the Year in 2003, and supported the La Plata County 4-H program. Junior’s life-long legacy was his ranch and his family.
He is survived by 4 children: Jean Lesky (Clint Davis) of Healy, Kan., Martha Zellitti (Barry) of Durango, Vernon G. Bonds (Cathy) of Aztec, N.M., and Tom Bonds (Lorene) of Bondad; 1 sister, Alice MacLennan (Rod) of Bennett, Colo; 10 grandchildren: Joaquin Lesky, Josh Lesky, Misty Smith, Lindsey Mills, Travis Zellitti, Megan Stephenson, Mike Bonds, Trent Bonds, Marie Bonds, and Troy Bonds, 10 great-grandchildren: Bristol, Braylin, Declan, Shea, Paislee, Annabelle, Jace, Maddie, Selene, and Emma; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, JoAnna, and his parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the La Plata County Cattlemen Scholarship fund, P.O. Box 2524, Durango, CO, 81302.
Junior was born November 14, 1929 in Bondad, Colorado, the son of Russell and Vandella Bonds. Junior graduated from Durango High School in 1948. He married JoAnna Gibbs on July 3, 1952 in Aztec, N.M., while Junior was on leave from the U.S. Army. They had begun their courtship years prior, and, after the wedding, JoAnna followed him to Alaska, where he was deployed. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. Upon Junior’s discharge from the Army, the couple returned home to Bondad, Colo., and began working the land at the family ranch. Four children blessed the couple.
Junior belonged to the La Plata County Cattlemen. He even was awarded Cattlemen of the Year in 2003, and supported the La Plata County 4-H program. Junior’s life-long legacy was his ranch and his family.
He is survived by 4 children: Jean Lesky (Clint Davis) of Healy, Kan., Martha Zellitti (Barry) of Durango, Vernon G. Bonds (Cathy) of Aztec, N.M., and Tom Bonds (Lorene) of Bondad; 1 sister, Alice MacLennan (Rod) of Bennett, Colo; 10 grandchildren: Joaquin Lesky, Josh Lesky, Misty Smith, Lindsey Mills, Travis Zellitti, Megan Stephenson, Mike Bonds, Trent Bonds, Marie Bonds, and Troy Bonds, 10 great-grandchildren: Bristol, Braylin, Declan, Shea, Paislee, Annabelle, Jace, Maddie, Selene, and Emma; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, JoAnna, and his parents.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the La Plata County Cattlemen Scholarship fund, P.O. Box 2524, Durango, CO, 81302.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Russell Bonds, please visit our flower store.
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