Michael Putnam

Durango resident Michael Eugene Putnam died Wednesday, May 11, 2011, at Four Corners Health Care Center in Durango. He was 65.

Michael was born to Para Lee and Norman Earl Putnam, Sr., December 24, 1945, in Edmond, Okla. When he was six months old, the family moved to Colorado. He lived in Ignacio until the end of first grade at the Indian Boarding School.

The family moved to Durango, where Michael completed his schooling and graduated in 1964. He joined the National Guard and put in 14 years. He received his B.A. and M.A. from Adams State College in the field of elementary education. He started his teaching career in Del Norte, and ended at Florida Mesa, a total career of 32 years. Mike taught Driver’s Ed in Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio and Pagosa Springs. He worked a number of years with the city of Durango Recreation Department. In his later years he worked as a greeter at Wal-Mart.

Mike met Gay Lynn Hutchings of Colorado Springs and they were married August 17, 1968. Gay shared his interest in working with children. Gay also introduced him to life in a large city. Mike loved Scouts, 4H, horses and the outdoors.

He is preceded in death by his mother, father, his brother Norman Earl Putnam, Jr., his nephew John Cal Putnam and a son Jeffery Steven.

Mike is survived by his wife Gay Lynn Putnam of Durango; his daughter Lori Lynn Walters and her husband J. D. Walters of Post Falls, Idaho; his son Kenneth Putnam and his wife Linda Putnam of Durango; grandchildren Isabella and Adrian James Putnam of Durango; Alyssa and Jillian Walters of Post Falls, Idaho; mother-in-law Audrey Mae Putnam of Durango; cousin Bill Watkins of New Mexico; and sister-in-law Anne Putnam of Durango and her family.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14, 2011, at St. Columba Catholic Church in Durango. A reception will be held after the service at the Parish Center.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 1 Mercado St., Suite 270, Durango, CO 81301.