Joe Girard

Joe Fred Girard, 85, passed away on July 22, 2014 at Hospice of the Valley - Gardiner Home in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born on July 6, 1929 in Douglas, Arizona to Fredrick and Camilla (Lunt) Girard.
Joe grew up in Durango, Colorado. He graduated from Durango High School in 1947 and was the Class President and Captain of the football team. After high school he attended Fort Lewis A&M College in Durango and the University of Colorado, Boulder. He joined the Army in 1951 and served for 3 years.
He worked for Air Research in Scottsdale, Arizona as an engineer for several years. He moved back to Durango in 1958 and ultimately became president, and served on the board of directors of Durango Savings and Loan. During his tenure, he expanded the S&L to several new branches in Southwest Colorado and renamed it Centennial Savings Bank. He retired in 1985.
Joe married Gloria Dawn Burrows in 1951 in Durango, Colorado. They have been married for 63 years. Joe was a member of many boards and clubs, including Rotary and the Durango Elks club. He was part of the Purgatory ski patrol for many years. He enjoyed flying, buying his first plane in the1940’s. Among his many other interests were football, golf, tennis, hiking, fishing, camping, boating and traveling.
Joe was a very popular and prominent figure in the City of Durango. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Camilla Girard of Prescott, Arizona, and his brother, Van Lunt Girard of Eckert, Colorado.
Joe is survived by his wife, Gloria of Sun City West, Arizona, his sister Carol (Bob) Dalfonzo of Port Ludlow, Washington, his son Grant (Nancy) Girard of Phoenix, Arizona, his daughter Debbie Girard and grandson Nicholas Florek in Las Vegas, Nevada, and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
A private burial will be held at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango, Colorado on August 1, 2014.