Chris Rezek Obituary

Durango resident Chris Rezek died Monday, June 3, 2013, in an accident. He was, just 16 days short of his 50th birthday.

Mr. Rezek was born June 19, 1963, to Jerelyn Hawkins and Ray Rezek in San Bernardino, Calif. He was a go-getter from the start, his family said. Walking at seven months and causing plenty of trouble for being too hyper in school, he eventually learned to channel that energy as a teenager into playing water polo and running cross-country.

Always selling something and often winning prizes at school fundraisers, he was a born businessman. Despite his mother's insistence on attending college, he assured her that college wasn't necessary to achieve his life's goal. He was going to be a "very successful businessman," his family said.

On December 7, 1985, Mr. Rezek married Sue Kivrizis in Wrightwood, Calif., and gladly accepted the role of being a father to her two children, Joseph and Breanne. Living in Wrightwood, their family quickly expanded to six when Brett arrived followed by Caden two years later.

Armed with a single carpet cleaning machine and a burning desire to start a business, the family moved to Durango in 1992. Working incredibly long hours, Mr. Rezek not only took care of his four children and wife, who was suffering from breast cancer, he also managed to expand his company. After Mrs. Rezak died in 1998, he became a single parent and continued to provide the best life possible for his children.

Happier than ever, the last couple of years was a true testament to the rewards that Mr. Rezek had earned over his many years of backbreaking work, his family said. He had recently purchased his dream property, a ranch in Mancos, where he planned to make a home with Silvia Pina and her two young daughters.

Mr. Rezek was a loyal, honest and generous man who loved wholly, his family said. He genuinely cared about those he encountered and wanted to have fun. A celebration of life will be held today, Sunday, June 9, 2013, at 2911B, Richard Drive in Durango. For those who can't make it, another event will be announced within the next few weeks.

Mr. Rezek was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Rezek.

He is survived by his father, Raymond Rezek, and step-mother Karen Rezek, of Wrightwood, Calif.; mother, Jerelyn Hawkins, and step-father, Victor Rempel of San Bernardino, Calif.; companion, Sylvia Pina, of Durango; sons Joseph Huntsinger and Brett Rezek of Durango; daughters Caden Rezek of Durango and Breanne Rezek of Colorado springs; and three grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that people take their friends and family out, enjoy each other and make a toast to Mr. Rezek. "He would have never asked for anything more."