George Andrew Van Den Berg

George Andrew Van Den Berg, age 90, passed away on Friday, Nov 1, 2024 at home in Bayfield surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 1, 1934 to Andrew and Kleo Van Den Berg in Crawford, CO. He is survived by his wife, Grace Sossaman, daughters Jody Paulek (Nick), Sheryl Rogers (Adam), Diana (Susan) and Carla Van Den Berg along with grandchildren (Brady, Mindy, and Tanner Paulek; Kyra, Katera and Austin Rogers; Ethan Beck; Trevor and Devan Wolf, and four great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Laura, Pamela and KoKo Sossaman and their families. He is also survived by his brothers, Bud (Willa), Les (Chris), and sister, Dollie Harris.

George felt one of his luckiest moments in life (and there were many), was his marriage to whom he referred to as “Amazing Grace” Sossaman. They found much happiness in their years together and shared a love for history, the local community and watching the Denver Broncos. He was a member and past Elder of the Florida Mesa Church in Durango where he met Grace. He grew up with his siblings on a ranch in Crawford, CO, which was foundational to his farming and hunting roots. He served as a barber in the Navy and had the opportunity to see much of the world while serving his country.

He loved nothing more than a “good-looking” horse, anticipating a new spring foal, a properly irrigated alfalfa field or straight windrows of freshly cut hay. He made a living in his early days as a uranium miner, rancher and logger and spent much of his life providing custom-haying services in La Plata County. 

George later became a longtime resident of the Durango/Bayfield area. In that time, he sought the adventure of having a “birds-eye view” of Colorado and became a skilled mountain pilot. He spent many years flying to the high country and keeping track of Bighorn Sheep. He was known as a local businessman and served as President of the Durango Chamber of Commerce, La Plata County Planning Commission and first chair of the county’s Living with Wildlife Advisory Board. He was most proud of serving two terms as a Colorado Wildlife Commissioner. 

George was very sociable and established many lifelong friendships in the area and with the outdoor community. He remained determined to attend daily breakfasts at Oscars, drop by friends’ homes or venture into the mountains with his closest friends or family.

He possessed an extraordinary passion for the mountains, wildlife, family, and friends. We know him best as a storyteller of many journeys in the high country, Canada and Mexico. He was a lifelong hunter which later transitioned to capturing wildlife through photography. He held a deep desire and knowledge specifically of wild sheep and dedicated much of his life to their preservation.

A service for George will be held Friday, November 8th at 1:00pm at the Durango Cowboy Church, located at 1867 SH-172 in Durango, CO.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations to be directed toward the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Society, “In the Memory of George Van Den Berg” at https://www.bighornsheep.org/.donate/.