Daniel Lee Bender

After a short battle with pancreatic cancer, Daniel Lee Bender passed away July 4th, 2024, peacefully and surrounded by his family. A celebration of Dan’s life will be held at 10556 Hwy 550, South of Durango, on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project or Summit Early Learning Center in Durango (Summit Church).

Dan was born in Findlay, Ohio, on September 21st 1949. He grew up there with a sister Karla, and two brothers, Scott & Jack, until he joined the U.S. Army in 1969. He served a 14 month tour in Viet Nam. Dan graduated from Findlay College with a BA in Sociology. He also did one year of Post-graduate studies in Public Administration at Bowling Green State University (Ohio) and received a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Colorado in 1999.

In 1972, Dan married Jon Adele Bender (Long) of Hoytville, Ohio. Jon & Dan have two daughters, Rachael (Mike) Latham and Rebekah (Sam) Eggleston. He and his wife are also blessed with grandchildren: Dasha, Danya, Rebekah, Grace, Barry, Daniel, Sienna, Bud and Cody.

While living in Ohio, after his military service, Dan worked five years with Eastman Kodak and five years as Projects Director with HHWP Community Action Commission. Dan moved with his family to Durango Colorado in 1980 where he worked as a Deputy Sheriff for 37 years with La Plata County Sheriff’s Office. During his years there, in which he served under four different Sheriff’s, he worked as a Detentions Deputy, Patrol Deputy and in various supervisory capacities. He also took part in many Search and Rescue missions, both as a coordinator and a SAR K-9 handler; was on the SWAT team for 21 years, was Training Coordinator, Public Information Officer and Emergency Management Liaison.

His life’s loves were his family, being able to help others, teaching and photography. His salvation was his faith.