1934
2018
Don Miller was born on December 31,1934 in Aguilar, CO and died November 25, 2018, in Durango, CO his home for the past 45 years.
Don graduated from Randell High School in Denver, CO and then joined the Navy. After his service in the Navy, Don returned to his true passion, skiing, and went to work in the ski industry in his home state of Colorado. He worked at various positions such as ski patrol and hill maintenance at several ski areas throughout the region including Aspen, Arapahoe Basin, and Loveland. He also did a stint salmon fishing in Alaska. In Don's early days one of his jobs was working at the Alpine Inn in Georgetown, CO alongside a Cajun bartender named Wayne Biggs. Wayne had many tall tales and Cajun jokes which centered around a character named "Boudreaux". Wayne started calling Don "Boudreaux" and the name Don Miller was rarely used again. From then on everyone only knew Don as Boudreaux.
In the Fall of 1973, Boudreaux came down to Durango at the request of his good friend, Paul Folwell, to work on the trail crew at the Purgatory Ski Area. With Boudreaux's can-do attitude and passion for the mountain, he was a great asset for Purgatory throughout his career. In the early 1980s, he helped make the first artificial snow at the resort, after two significant droughts in 1976-77 and 1980-81. After 30 years of working for Purgatory, Boudreaux retired as their Director of slopes and trails. Purgatory skis trails named in his honor are: BC (Boudreaux's Choice), BDM (Boudreaux Dirty Major), and Boudreaux's. His contributions to Purgatory are as numerous as the many close friendships he made during his time at the mountain.
Boudreaux had a keen interest in the world around him and loved delving into a broad range of subjects such as history, science, the arts, guns, you name it.....he knew about it. He had a great sense of humor and he endeared himself to his many friends because he was such a character. He will not be forgotten. We all loved Boudreaux.
Services to be held June 2019, day and location to be determined.
May You Rest in Peace, Boudreaux.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Thanks, Boudreaux, for all the great times and for giving me my nickname, "Crispy Critter" Miss you but we'll meet again. Steve & Cathy Trammel
Stephen Trammel
April 9, 2019
Boudreaux, Thanks for being Phyllis' and my next door neighbor in Georgetown in 1970-71!You were always so much fun, especially during Fasching! We'll be next door neighbors again someday.
Janet Brenneman
January 2, 2019
Boudreaux, you kept the mountain in order. From the many long nights grooming to the days roaming the mountain maintaining the trails in the summer and many a night at the Ore house. My life will never be the same due to your influence From having you sit on the roof of the ski school building timing our passes down the front of the mountain to our trips to other ski areas to compare notes on other grooming operations. It was these events which made life what it was. I had been working for Bennie Basham when you arrived and it never ended from that point on.
RIP Boudreaux you will be missed by all and the mountain exists because of your efforts.
Bryan East
December 18, 2018
Boudreaux was so much fun. I am grateful to have known him.
Ruth Hamshar
December 18, 2018
I was so sorry to learn of Boudreaux's passing. He was a good friend when we all worked at Loveland Ski Area in the '60's. Please accept my love and sympathy at this difficult time, Mandy Boggs
December 18, 2018
Belated , My deepest sympathy to your family . May you keep in mind the hope of life everlasting which can help sustain you through this difficult time . John 17:3
Earnie Ray
December 18, 2018
I'll see you on the flip side my friend. You get to join the party on the other side, lots of our friends are already there waiting for you. You will be missed by many.
Victoria Halphen
Friend
December 17, 2018
I knew him as Boudreaux, and more affectionally as "Grumpy Bear". He was my boss who became a friend I respected. He had enough faith to hire my friend Rich and I as the very first snowmakers at Purgatory early in the 1980's. That trust changed the course of my life for the better. For that and for the experiences that followed I am eternally grateful. Rest in peace my friend. You helped enrich my life as I know you did for others. That is a true measure of a life well lived. Thank you Boudreaux!
Jerry Dickenson
December 17, 2018
Susan Ducat-Flanigan
December 16, 2018
Oh, how sad, I loved Boudreaux. He was such a character, worked for him grooming one season, knew him for years, everyone loved him. Rest in peace sir, hope the powder is good up there.
Piper Thies
Casper Wy.
December 16, 2018
Started working with Boudreaux at Purgatory the same year back in 1973. Though he was also known as 'Grumpy Bear', he was really a jolly good fellow, a great friend, and a favorite character among all of us who knew him.
George Cooper
December 16, 2018
so many memories and things to say about "Grumpy Bear." I always enjoyed working for him and along side of him.I have to laugh to myself when remembering how he gave us Patrolmen and Patrol Women a hard time about "getting out there and grooming the mountain." It was always a joy to see him after he retired. Quite a man and friend. I will miss him.
John Dunn
December 14, 2018
May you find Strength from the love and care that surrounds you and comfort in the memories that you shared. Theres hope in seeing your dear loved again. Read 1 Thessalonians 4:14.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
December 14, 2018
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