Burel Mangrum

Durango resident, Burel W. Mangrum, passed away on October 15, 2014. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Arlene Teeters Mangrum and his devoted friend and companion, Sylvia Trout. He is survived by his son Michael Mangrum (Kay) of Texas; and two grand-daughters Amanda and Lauren.
He was born on July 2, 1929 and lived and grew up all over the south during the Great Depression.
Burel was a Master Sargent in the Army and served in Korea where he was severely wounded at the Battle of Pork chop Hill. After Korea, he earned his BA in Solid Mathematics at the University of Houston and worked for Shell Oil for ten years where he was instrumental in building computer networks from Canada to Venezuela. Burel owned and operated Mangrum Construction in Durango until his retirement.
He will be very much missed by his long- time friends Butch and Karen Keller of Aztec; Patty Trout and Joe Ryan of Tucson, Louise Gonzales of Durango; and Gayle Miles of Grand Junction ; Francis and his friends at the Cedarview Apartments.
Special thanks to the wonderful staff at Mercy hospice who kept Burel happy and comfortable during this past year. Thanks also to the caring and helpful staff at Cottonwood Inn.
A celebration of Burel’s life is being planned. Those wishing to attend may contact Butch Keller at 970-749-6920.