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George Andrew Van Den Berg
1934 - 2024
BORN
1934
DIED
2024
FUNERAL HOME
George Andrew Van Den Berg Obituary
George felt one of his luckiest moments in life (and there were many), was his marriage to whom he referred to as "Amazing Grace" Sossaman. They found much happiness in their years together and shared a love for history, the local community and watching the Denver Broncos. He was a member and past Elder of the Florida Mesa Church in Durango where he met Grace. He grew up with his siblings on a ranch in Crawford, CO, which was foundational to his farming and hunting roots. He served as a barber in the Navy and had the opportunity to see much of the world while serving his country.
He loved nothing more than a "good-looking" horse, anticipating a new Spring foal, a properly irrigated alfalfa field or straight windrows of freshly cut hay. He made a living in his early days as a uranium miner, rancher and logger and spent much of his life providing custom-haying services in La Plata County.
George later became a longtime resident of the Durango/Bayfield area. In that time, he sought the adventure of having a "birds-eye view" of Colorado and became a skilled mountain pilot. He spent many years flying to the high country and keeping track of Bighorn Sheep. He was known as a local businessman and served as President of the Durango Chamber of Commerce, La Plata County Planning Commission and first chair of the county's Living with Wildlife Advisory Board. He was most proud of serving two terms as a Colorado Wildlife Commissioner.
George was very sociable and established many lifelong friendships in the area and with the outdoor community. He remained determined to attend daily breakfasts at Oscars, drop by friends' homes or venture into the mountains with his closest friends or family.
He possessed an extraordinary passion for the mountains, wildlife, family, and friends. We know him best as a storyteller of many journeys in the high country, Canada and Mexico. He was a lifelong hunter which later transitioned to capturing wildlife through photography. He held a deep desire and knowledge specifically of wild sheep and dedicated much of his life to their preservation.
A service for George will be held on Friday, November 8th at 1:00pm at the Durango Cowboy Church, located at 1867 SH-172 in Durango, CO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations to be directed toward the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Society, "In the Memory of George Van Den Berg" at https://www.bighornsheep.org/.donate/.
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Memories and Condolences
for George Andrew Van Den Berg
Sponsored by Hood Mortuary - Durango.
Mike Duplan
November 25, 2024
They broke the mold when God made this man and I´m lucky to have been able to call him friend. Legends never die and George will live forever in our hearts and stories. Hellova ride!!
Barry Smith
November 25, 2024
George became a good friend when he was a DOW commissioner. I was also able to do his bighorn taxidermy back in our earlier days. He always enjoyed passing my name along to people needing sheep mounted which was greatly appreciated. He was always up for a good joke and we got together at many hunter events in the 40+ years we knew each other. Many good times in the past and a great miss in the future for all that knew him. He was a great part of many of our lives. Rest in peace, George!
Tony Seahorn
November 25, 2024
George was my friend. Years back we worked together on wildlife conservation projects. He was a longtime supporter of the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Society, Colorado Bowhunters Association and Colorado Division of Wildlife. George was a Wildlife Commissioner and often spoke at our meetings and fundraising events. He especially loved Bighorn Sheep and had a vast knowledge of the species.
He will be greatly missed. Prayers to his family and many friends. God Bless.
Kevin Hurley
November 13, 2024
To Grace, and all of George's family: I cannot express my deep sorrow in knowing that George has passed... For more than 20 years, I considered George a close friend and wild sheep colleague, and I lit up whenever I could be somewhere George was, and could sit and visit with him... We had many phone conversations over the years/decades... George was a great friend and a great man... I will miss him so much, as you all will and do... Deepest condolences...Kevin Hurley, Wild Sheep Foundation HQ
David Wegher
November 7, 2024
Save me a spot at the bfast table buddy...gonna miss You so much ..we had many laughs, many story's told George..RIP FRIEND. Love You George
Anne Rapp
November 6, 2024
I don´t even know how I got to know George, seems like he was always there as a wonderful friend and mentor in my life. Rapp Corral was blessed to have George and John Neely providing our hay and many years of winter and spring pasture. Those guys made getting hay fun! He always had a smile for every member of our family and a story to share. What a life he lived and such a great attitude. He was and always will be an inspiration! Anne Rapp
Sandy VanDenBerg
November 6, 2024
George and Grace oftened visited Ted and I in AZ and loved to pick a few oranges to take back to Durango to enjoy. That was a highlight to both George and Ted to be together, and boy, what stories I learned from them both. Now, they can see each other in Heaven and continue on their mischief ways. God Bless.
Matt Wassam
November 5, 2024
So sorry to hear this but what a "life well lived!". I worked for George way back in 1998 putting up hay. What a wonderful man. Nearly every day we would go to "legs and eggs" for lunch and I had the privilege of eating with a number of the finest men in Durango each day. What a wonderful man George was and a great role model to me as a young man.
Vickie Van Den Berg email Childress
November 5, 2024
So very sorry to hear of his passing. His brother Ted insisted that we go and meet him and Bud about three years ago since we are visiting Durango. They took us to a restaurant in the mountains. We had a wonderful time that we will never forget. When we were children, we would go back to Colorado to visit our grandparents John and Ada. We always went to Delta to visit toots and Cleo George´s parents. I had never remembered meeting him before. Grace and kids we are so sorry to hear about his passing , he definitely was larger than life. You could see that right off.
Teena J
November 5, 2024
I have great memories of having known George. He was a wonderful, funny, respectful and giving person. Will miss you George. God bless your family in their time of loss.
Cindy Simpson
November 4, 2024
Sheryl and Diana (and all of your families), I wish for you time to grieve, and then to enjoy many happy memories of your dad.
Molly and David O'Neill
November 4, 2024
Diana, Cheryl, Jody, Carla, and Family,
Please accept our sincere condolences on the loss of your Dad. Over our decades of friendship, Diana told me many exciting stories of his adventures. I'm grateful that I met him a few years ago. We wish you all comfort and solace in your memories during this time, Molly and David O'Neill
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