Joe Cellar Obituary

Durango resident Joe Berton Cellar died in Denver on Monday, July 20, 2009. He was 61.

Mr. Cellar was born to Robert and Sylvia Cellar in Cortez on April 7, 1948. He grew up on a farm near Dolores and attended school there.

Mr. Cellar graduated from Fort Lewis College with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

His family said he had a rewarding career in accounting. Mr. Cellar was the accountant for the original Four Corners Motorcycle Rally in Ignacio, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, private individuals and, immediately preceding his death, for the Montezuma Water Co. in Dolores.

He also was interested in over-road hauling, particularly of antique cars.

In the last years of his life, Mr. Cellar developed an interest in travel. He visited his daughter Jody and her husband, Michael, in New Zealand, and recently he and his wife, Linda Lawler, traveled to Costa Rica, Mexico and many places in the United States.

On June 21, 2008, he married Lawler in Durango.

"Joe was deeply loved, and the last years of his life were filled with happiness," his family wrote. "He will be remembered by his family, friends and acquaintances as a sincere, trustworthy, hard-working man. He was highly respected and was commonly referred to as a 'true gentleman.'"

Mr. Cellar was preceded in death by his wife from an earlier marriage, Jil Spillman.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Lawler, of Durango; daughters Myra Cellar of Durango, Tress Cellar of Casper, Wyo., and Jody Cellar of Perth, Australia; brother, Ralph Cellar, of Cortez; sister Segrid Davidson of Dolores; an aunt; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cremation has occurred. A celebration of life will be held Oct. 17, 2009.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of Mercy, 1 Mercado St., Suite 270, Durango, CO 81301.