Donald Craig Graham

Don was born a Gunnison native, to James and Zeta Graham on September 26, 1953. He was joined later by brothers Patrick, Bartley and Kevin. The boys grew up climbing Hartman Rocks, playing baseball and hiking, but Don’s true passions were rocks, skiing and his malamute dogs. When Don was very young, his love of rocks grew. He would bring home boxes of rocks and take them in to see Mr. Harry Ender, who would explain all about them, and usually sent him home with even more rocks. He was encouraged to follow his passion, and later studied the science of rocks, gemstones and geology. Don enjoyed both downhill and cross country skiing. He skied most of the Gunnison area, including Monarch, Crested Butte and Copper Mountain. Don’s constant companion whether skiing or hiking was his faithful malamute dogs that he adored. Don excelled in academics, and played football throughout his years at Gunnison High School, graduating in the class of 1971. He went on to study geology and history at Western State College, graduating in 1975. While a student at Western, Don worked for Andy Anderson, on one of the three Lapis Lazuli Mines in the world, located on Italian Mountain near Crested Butte. He went on to complete his Masters Degree at Western Washington University in 1988. As a professional geologist, Don worked in uranium and gold exploration. He later founded his own company “Headwaters Exploration” in 1998, specializing in mineral resources and geological hazard evaluation. Don has been very active in the community serving as Vice President in the Gunnison Nordic Club, Gunnison Trails Commission, Gunnison Valley Housing Foundation, Hartman Rock Planning Group, Western State Mountaineer Alumni Assoc., the Old-Timers Assoc. and the Geology Club. He was instrumental in the preservation and management of the Eighty-Two year old Jorgensen Cabin (aka Butch Clark’s Cabin or the Governor’s Cabin). Don was preceded in death by his brothers Patrick and Bartley, and his father, James Graham. Don is survived by his mother Zeta, his brother Kevin, sister-in-law Julie, and two nieces Caroline and Natalia Graham. Memorial ser vices for Donald were officiated by Father Andres Ayala at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church on Monday, April 10. Memorial contributions will be welcomed by the 1971 GHS Football Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 492, Gunnison, CO 81230, or The Gunnison Nordic Club, 18 Columbine Rd., Gunnison, CO 81230.