Raymond Lewis Wells

Raymond Lewis Wells, a longtime La Plata County resident passed away on July 18, 2023.

Mr. Wells was born to Orby Lewis and Essie Grey Wells on November 18, 1935 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His family moved to Bayfield, Colorado in 1937 where Raymond’s father managed a gas station.

Mr. Wells attended Bayfield schools up though high school, graduating in 1953. He participated in school sports and he earned the name “The Flying Dutchman” for being such a fast runner in track. He also excelled in both basketball and football during his high school career.

After graduation, Mr. Wells joined U.S. Army, 11^th Airborne Division and completed Basic Infantry school at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Basic Airborne training in Fort Benning, Georgia. He was honorably discharged in 1956.

Mr. Wells, enrolled in college at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he pursed a Business Administration degree for two years, at which time he took a break from academics to pursue other interests.

In 1960, Mr. Wells met and married Glenna Jean Parks in Durango, Colorado. Together they had two sons, Brett Lewis Wells and Bryan Eugene Wells, before their marriage ended in divorce.

Mr. Wells completed his college education at Fort Lewis College in Durango, with a degree in Accounting and immediately began a long illustrious career with the Internal Revenue Service, working in New Mexico and Texas before his retirement in 1989.

While working in Dallas, Texas, Mr. Wells met and married Kandye Bullington.  The marriage later ended in divorce.

Upon his retirement, Mr. Wells joined Legal Services Corporation in Washington, D.C. and conducted independent audits for three years before returning to Colorado to really “retire.”

Mr. Wells enjoyed a lifelong passion for reading, especially history books. Whenever he moved to a new state or city he would soak up as much history about that location as possible.

According to his family, Mr. Wells often spoke of how fortunate he was to have spent his childhood in Bayfield in the middle of the Pine River Valley, which was his playground.

Mr. Wells was preceded in death by both his parents, his brother, Howard Wells, sister Opal Norris, and a younger brother, Wade Wells; as well as his former lifelong friend and wife, Glenna Jeanne Parks-Farmer, as well as his former wife Kandye Wells.

He is survived by his sons, Brett and Bryan Wells; grandson, Andrew Clayton Wells and one niece and fur nephews.

Mr. Wells was a member of the American Legion Post# 28 of Durango and The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge# 507 of Durango.

A Graveside service will be held on Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 10am at Greenmount Cemetery with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation made in Mr. Wells name to the Durango Elks Education Fund.