David Demarest Obituary

Durango resident David Roy Demarest died Monday, Jan. 7, 2013, in Durango. He was 55. The cause of death is undetermined at this time.

Mr. Demarest was born to John and Patricia Demarest on June 29, 1957, in Los Angeles. He grew up and worked in California before moving to Durango in 1980.

In the early 1980s, he married Rebecca "Becky" Rubalcava in Las Vegas. The couple had a daughter before the marriage ended in divorce.

While in Durango, he was an alcohol-abuse counselor at the La Plata County detoxification facility and an electrician as well as working at the Silverton Mill Works at Animas Air Park.

In the late 1980s, he and his companion, Karen Long, had a son together.

"He was most proud and captivated with his granddaughters and daughter," his family said. "He was a friend to so many, he had a good heart, and those who knew him would say that he loved his granddaughters so much. They meant everything to him."

Mr. Demarest is survived by his daughter, Paige Berry, of Raleigh, N.C.; son, Josh Demarest, of Columbus, Ohio; siblings John Demarest of Durango, Darla Codling of Atlanta and Jim Demarest of Boise, Idaho; and three granddaughters.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at Hood Mortuary, 1261 East Third Ave.

In lieu of flowers, donations will be accepted at Hood Mortuary to offset funeral expenses. The mailing address is Hood Mortuary, 1261 East Third Ave., Durango, CO 81301.