Joseph Melrose

Joseph E. “Joe” Melrose, 69, passed away Wednesday, July 02, 2014 in Durango, Colorado. A Funeral Service will be Monday, July 7, 2014 at 10:30 A.M. at the Pine Valley Church of the Foursquare Gospel in Bayfield, Colo.. Pastor Stan Formby of the Durango Cowboy Church will be officiating. Burial will follow at Pine River Cemetery in Bayfield and a potluck dish reception will conclude service at the Pine Valley Church.

Mr. Melrose was born August 18, 1944 in Durango, Colorado the son of Guy and Esther Melrose. He was a native born, 4th Generation La Plata and Archuleta County Resident; he is a direct descendant of those who first settled in the Allison and Pagosa Springs area. He grew up in Allison and attended schools in Allison and Ignacio, Colo.

At the young age of 8, Joe would commonly be trusted to help lead sheep herds to the high country grazing areas. At the age of 11 he was the primary sheep herder for his uncle, J.W. Tubbs, until the age of 17. He has worked in construction, truck driving, logging, ranching, and heavy equipment operating his entire life. Joe also attended auctioneer school and worked for Treasure Auctions through the years. He was a pilot at a younger age and he loved to fly.

Joe loved to run heavy equipment, especially the crane, such as when he worked on the Animas-La Plata Water Project.

He was heavily involved in church activities – especially “Saddle-Up” (a children’s ministry with the Durango Cowboy Church). He was a Colorado Mounted Ranger, the Under Sherriff for Cibola County N.M. Joe was well known for running the horse drawn carriage outside of the Strater Hotel, in Durango, for many years.

Joe was married to Sheree Copeland on March 15, 2003 in Grants, N.M. He was very close to Sheree’s children and grandchildren and they loved him very much.

He was very loved by all his family and he touched each of their lives in a special way. He is survived by his wife, Sheree of Breen, Colo.; his children: Guy Melrose of Ignacio, Colo., Kathleen Melrose of San Pedro, Calif., and Kristeen Melrose of Bayfield, Colo.; a sister: Lanora Richter of Bayfield; a step-sister: Beth Calhoun of Rio Rancho, N.M.; grandchildren: Jacob Melrose, Sean Melrose, Elicia Melrose, Skyler Melrose, Matthew Melrose, Heather Eash, and Justin Melrose; 3 great-granchildren: Autumn, Kahlan and Charley Mae Melrose; Step-children: Karah Moccio of Galveston, Tex., and Roxanne Mirabal of Farmington, N.M.; step-grandchildren: Roxian Rosel, Rubyan Rodriguez, Joshua Ruff, Shianne Wagner, Richard Lopez, Alex Flannery, Eric Lopez, and Vanessa Mirabal.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

“Joe is an authentic cowboy and never met a stranger”, remembers his wife, Sheree.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society, District II - Southwest Colorado, 1800 E. 3rd Ave Suite 101, Durango, CO 81301.