J. Yager Obituary

J. Don Yager, the father of Durango resident Susan Yager, died Saturday, March 26, 2011, in Steamboat Springs. He was 99.

Mr. Yager was born to Louis and Elda Yager on Nov. 19, 1911, in St. Anthony, Idaho. When he was a child, his family moved around the country a lot before finally moving to Denver.

For a brief period during the 1930s, Mr. Yager could be found driving a cab on the streets of Wichita, Kan., as well as dabbling with a bit of modeling. He also had a small cameo appearance in an RKO movie, "On Dangerous Ground."

Once in Colorado, Mr. Yager and his brothers did some scouting around and found several parcels of property along Ranch Creek outside of Fraser. These would become the future site of Devils Thumb Ranch, a dude ranch that Mr. Yager ran for much of his life.

In addition to leading steak rides, and being the face of Devils Thumb Ranch. Mr. Yager was also a featured chef at El Monte Motor Lodge's annual game dinner and at Little King Ranch.

He married Harriet June Parmenter in September 1944, and they opened The Granby Hotel (now Agate 440). They could usually be found spending their summers at the ranch and winters in Granby.

After selling the ranch, the Yagers retired to Sedona, Ariz., with his brothers and their wives to pursue their hobbies of golf, travelling and cooking. Mr. Yager moved back to Grand County in the spring of 2009 to be near his daughters.

Mr. Yager was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, June Yager; and two infant children.

He is survived by his daughters Susan Yager of Durango and Marilou (Tim) Randall of Grand County; and two grandsons.

A private service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Cliffview Assisted Living, P.O. Box 1119, Kremmling, CO 80459; Heart of the Mountains Hospice, P.O. 140, Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451; or Grand County Historical Association, P.O. Box 165, Hot Sulphur Springs, CO 80451.