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Donald I Degani, age 92, died on Thursday April 15, 2021 in the loving community of Bonaventure in Thornton, CO. He lived his entire life in the Durango, CO area, excluding the last 4 years.
He was born January 6, 1929 in Durango, CO to John & Mary Degani. Don was the oldest of two children. He was raised in Allison, CO and helped on the family farm. Don was very athletic in high school and enjoyed playing football and baseball. Don was the starting quarterback for DHS his senior year. After high school, he was invited by the Boston Red Sox to try out at their Albuquerque training camp.
Don attended the University of Colorado from 1947 to 1951 where he received his pharmacy degree. He received an induction notice from the army in 1952 and served as a cryptographer in Seoul, South Korea. Don married Marie Turner in 1956. In 1962 he bought into Parsons Drug in Durango, CO, eventually buying his partners out in 1970. The iconic store on 9th and Main closed September 21, 1991. Don's interests included fishing and hunting. Don had a great sense of humor and he was a kind and generous man who loved helping his fellow neighbors and friends. He is survived by his sister Geraldine Brown, Columbia S.C., two children Gary Degani & Dee Ann Baer, six grandchildren (Dylan Degani, Karissa Degani, Callie Degani, Brianne Shiflett, Erin Baer, Braden Baer), and one great grandson (Daniel Degani).
Funeral services will be held on Friday April 23, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (254 E Fifth Ave) Durango, CO at 10:00 AM. Burial services following at Greenmount Cemetery.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Hood Mortuary - Durango.
5 Entries
Condolences to you and your family, Dee Ann. Your father was a kind and good man for whom I had a lot of respect.
Scott Graham
Friend
April 30, 2021
Such a nice man. We missed him here.
Ann Satariano
Friend
April 26, 2021
I worked with Don after he sold Parsons. He was a prankster. Don told me about the many Practical jokes he was now for. I would like to mention a couple. The one about the dead skunk that was mailed around town to certain Friends of his. There was also one about the add in the newspaper that was run right after Christmas. " Please leave your old Christmas trees in my front yard, and give one of his Friends address. Don said they were to be used as fish habitat. The neighbor had no idea. There were also several pranks pulled on at Plaza Pharmacy by JS. I hope JS sees this and posts them. I would pick him up to go to Arboles and Allison to manage local Praire dog Populations. We also went fishing often. He will always be in my memory. I was telling one of my coworkers some of these pranks the day before he passed,. Coincidence Maybe?
Mike Berger
Friend
April 22, 2021
Don was such a good person and helped me when my baby was sick . He opened the pharmacy early so I could get the medicine for my baby . He walked in my neighborhood and I talked with him before he moved . I’m grateful to know him . Don was kind and thoughtful. Durango was lucky to have him in our community.
Don was a role model for all .
Sweetie Marbury
Friend
April 22, 2021
Mr. Degani was always a gentleman of the highest qualities of sincerity.....gentle kindness.....and....always reflected his Catholic faith by his actions.
Dee Ann, I hope you remember me, but I was your classmate and will offer my prayers for your father's eternal rest AND reward in heaven, that he generously earned.
Sincerely in Christ's love,
Dr. Don Contreras, MD. DCN.
ABQ., NM, 87109
Dr. Don Contreras, DCN., MD., FAAD
Friend
April 19, 2021
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