Wesley Bonds

Lifelong Durango resident, Wesley E. Bonds, died on his birthday, April 18, 2015. He was ninety years old. Wesley was born to Edward and Josephine Bonds in Bondad Colorado on April 18, 1925. As a young child his family moved to his mother’s family farm at Riverside NM, just south of Bondad. He attended school in a one-room school house and later attended Durango High School, graduating in 1943. He immediately joined the U.S. Navy where he spent three years on the U.S.S. Libra, as Storekeeper. While on the ship, he was responsible for payroll and ship supplies. He saw the world, visiting places like Hawaii, New Zealand and New Caledonia.
After an honorable discharge from the Navy, Wesley attended Woodbury College in Riverside, California and received a degree in business administration in 1948. Turning down a position with Shell Oil in Los Angeles, he began his accounting career at the McKenna CPA firm in Durango in 1950, continuing with the firm after it was sold to James Jungen. Wesley kept his position with that firm for 37 years. In 1962 he began San Juan Venders, Inc. where he, his wife and children made, bagged and delivered ice to Four Corners businesses. After his children were grown, he dismantled the business in 1976.
Wesley applied for service with the FBI, but instead returned to Durango where he met the love of his life, Eleanor Diller whom he married on October 9, 1950 in Farmington, New Mexico. They then raised their five children in Durango. He was an active member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCs) and lifetime member of the Elks club. He was an avid gardener and was passionate about jeeping and exploring the mountains of Southwest Colorado. The family spent many weekends camping around the network of four-wheel-drive roads that connect to the San Juan Skyway, even starring in an S&H Green Stamps camping commercial on Black Bear Pass, which aired nationally in 1962, and can be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VnylkOthGw
Wesley is survived by his wife of 64 years, Eleanor; his five children: Larry Hackler (Lynn), Linda Bonds, and Gene Bonds (Lori) of Durango; Sheila Bishop and Sharon Rosenbaum (Marc) of Mancos; three brothers: Donald Bonds (Jan) of Evergreen; Edgar Bonds (Elaine) of Cortez; and Gerald Bonds of Farmington, New Mexico. Eleven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren also survive him.
A viewing will be held on Sunday, April 26th, from 1 to 4 PM at Hood Mortuary.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 27th, 1:30 PM at Hood Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Hospice of Mercy, MRMC, Attn: Foundation Office, 1010 Three Springs Blvd, Durango CO 81301.