Dean Tyner Obituary

Durango native Dean Allan Tyner died Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, in Joes, in northeastern Colorado. He was one day shy of his 64th birthday. Mr. Tyner had been struggling with a number of health issues.

He was born to Holly and Lucille Tyner on Oct. 19, 1947, in Durango. He grew up on Florida Mesa, where he spent summers "wrastling" calves and following the cows on their summer range west of what now is Durango Mountain Resort.

He graduated from Durango High School in 1965 and went on to earn a degree in business administration in 1970 from Colorado State University in Fort Collins. That fall, Mr. Tyner moved to Joes.

In 1974, he purchased a feedlot and began transforming it into Tyner Land and Cattle.

In 1986, he married Barbara (Jones) Smith in Burlington. The marriage ended in divorce after 25 years.

His family said Mr. Tyner was devoted to serving his community. He spent 41 years with the Joes Volunteer Fire Department, as well as on the boards of Washington-Yuma Combined Communications, Yuma County Rural Fire Protection District, 911 Authority and Grassroots Foundation. Mr. Tyner also served on the Liberty Action Committee, FFA Advisory and numerous other community-service organizations.

Mr. Tyner is survived by his daughters Laura Johnston of Fort Collins and Erin Lohman of Florida; son, Eric Smith, of Virginia; brother, Stuart Tyner, of Joes; two grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service was held Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011, at the Liberty School in Joes.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Joes Volunteer Fire Department, 6300 E. Colorado Highway 36, Joes, CO 80822; or Grassroots Foundation Community Center, Joes, CO 80822.