David Wilkins Obituary

Silverton resident David Blake Wilkins died suddenly doing what he loved, playing golf, on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2010, surrounded by the beauty of the San Juan Mountains in Ridgway. The cause of death is undetermined but was probably a heart attack. He was one week shy of his 43rd birthday.

Mr. Wilkins was born to F.D. and Diana M. Wilkins in Raton, N.M., on Oct. 13, 1967. His family moved to Boulder shortly thereafter. He graduated from Fairview High School and went on to graduate from the University of Utah.

"He earned a degree in Film Studies, but his actual major was powder skiing at Snowbird," his family wrote.

It was in Utah that Mr. Wilkins met his future wife, Carol Rivers, in 1991. They wed in December 2003 at the Ski Tip Lodge in Keystone. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins owned Voyager Productions - The Durango Gallery for several years. Mr. Wilkins had worked as a stock trader for the past decade.

"Growing up in Boulder and spending much of his childhood in Vail, he became a rippin' skier, mountain biker and was working on becoming a scratch golfer," his family wrote. "As a photographer, he was always chasing the light to get 'the shot', and pretty much always found it. The mountains are where he went to seek solace and peace in his life. He loved to travel and definitely enjoyed good food and wine. An adventurous and free spirit, he lived his life to the fullest whenever he possibly could."

Mr. Wilkins is survived by his wife, Carol L. Wilkins, of Silverton; father, F.D. Wilkins, of Boulder; sister, Charlotte Shifrin, of Boulder; brother, John Wilkins, of Calabasas, Calif.; and one nephew and three nieces.

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Oct. 30, 2010, at a location to be determined in Silverton. A memorial fund has been set up in Mr. Wilkins' name at the Bank of the San Juans, 144 E. 8th St., Durango, CO 81301. The fund will support outdoor programs for the children of Silverton.