Justin William Heller

It is with the utmost sadness that we share the unexpected and untimely passing of Justin William Heller on February 17, 2024.  

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on November 9, 1988, to Patricia (Hall) Heller and Bruce Heller, Justin entered this world earlier than expected.  Born extremely premature, Justin spent 81 days in the NICU in Utah before returning home to Durango, Colorado.  When Justin was born, he weighed 2 lbs., 1 oz.; his Papau’s wedding band could fit around his wrist. He spent his childhood skiing and horseback riding in the Colorado mountains with his parents and sisters, Roxanne and Sierra. At age 13 Justin was one of the first cadets to be sworn into the Cadet Program of the Colorado Mounted Rangers Troop D, supporting the Mounted Rangers on horseback search and rescue missions.  Justin was also an integral part of the Durango San Juan Composite Civil Air Patrol Squadron, where he rose quickly through the ranks to First Lieutenant, being promoted to Cadet Wing Commander during his junior and senior years of high school. He graduated from Durango High School in 2007.  

Justin’s unparalleled work ethic was instilled in him from a young age.  While he was a student at Durango High, Justin started working at Helmur Corporation, as a heavy equipment operator and heavy haul truck driver. Justin’s aptitude for driving a 50,000 lb. coal truck in the wee hours of the morning through Wolf Creek Pass was something to be admired.

Justin attended the University of Colorado in Boulder.  Graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering in May of 2012, Justin was a proud Buff and cheered on the Buffaloes every Saturday! While at CU, one of Justin’s passions was driving the Buff Bus.  

Before the ink on his CU degree was dry, Justin began working for Halliburton on a frac crew in Williston, North Dakota. The freight train that was Justin’s career stopped only briefly on the night he met his future wife, Annamaria.  With his new passenger on board, the two would forge a new track, steamrolling through Casper, Wyoming; Alvarado, Texas;  and El Reno, Oklahoma. 

Trying his hand in the White Collar World, he had a brief stint as a salesman for a startup company.  Justin proved he could play in the Big Leagues.  And people noticed. Halliburton quickly scooped him up, promoting him to a Global Advisor, based in Carrollton, Texas.  With this position taking him around the world, Justin was able to experience the cultures of Africa, Australia, Europe, South America, and The Middle East.  However, if you ever asked him, his favorite place was Karyes, Greece. 

Less than 29 years after wearing his Papau’s wedding band as a bracelet, Justin wore his own on July 1, 2017, when he became the proud husband to Annamaria Kodalonis.  Tying the knot North of the Border, Justin, his new wife, and two dogs, Minnie and Buddy, continued writing their story in Arlington, Texas.

By the age of 33, Justin was ready to take on his next challenge: Chief Executive Officer of Peak Completions, headquartered in Midland, Texas.  Peak Completions specializes in completion tools…and so did Justin.  He poured the entirety of his professional energy into his new corporate love.  With only months of Justin at the helm, Peak Completions reached new heights.  Working side by side with his beloved team, Justin maintained his Commercial Driver’s License, renewing it every year, ready to jump into the field at a moment’s notice.    

Justin took pride in his career and the life he and Annamaria were building together.  Relaxing by the pool, unwinding with a naval or military documentary, or enjoying live shows, especially country music, Justin always made time to enjoy the leisurely side of life.  Justin loved to entertain.  Whether hosting a dinner at one of his favorite steak houses or hanging out at a dive bar, Justin found immense joy in sharing these hidden gems with friends and family.  

For anyone who truly knew Justin, seeing his true passion was clear: live sports.  Trying his best as a football player, Justin learned he was more of an asset rallying the troops to cheer on the local home team.  Justin donned many colors, but none more proudly than those of his favorite sports teams: The Black and Gold of the CU Buffaloes, the Blue and Orange of the Denver Broncos, and the Blue and White of the Winnipeg Jets. 

Justin loved to tee it up!  Hitting the links with friends on Sunday, or squeezing in a twilight round with Annamaria, golf became a passion of Justin’s over the last five years.

Justin was loved and admired by absolutely everyone whose life he touched.  He was actively involved in numerous charities and was a mentor with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Permian Basin at the time of his passing.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife Annamaria Kodalonis.  

Justin is also survived by his mother, Patricia Heller, and his father, Bruce Heller (Sandee); sisters Roxanne Henderson (John), and Sierra Cocherell (Dustin); nephew, Athan Garza, and niece, Jamaica Garza; in-laws Pano and Janice Kodalonis; and brother-in-law Giorgo Kodalonis.  Justin also has extended family and countless friends, relatives, and coworkers throughout Canada, the United States, and the world.

Justin’s welcoming energy and infectious smile greatly impacted the lives of those around him.  He will always be remembered for his profoundly powerful spirit with no negativity, ever - only love. May his Memory be Eternal. 

A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 8th, beginning at 1:00 p.m. at River Bend Ranch, 27846 Highway 550, Durango, Colorado. Interment will follow at Greenmount Cemetery, and reception will resume at River Bend Ranch. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Permian Basin in his honor.