John Waters Obituary

John Waters, 89, exceptional father, husband and friend passed away at home on July 15, 2016, surrounded by his loving daughter, Laurel and a few close friends.

John was born in Patton, Pennsylvania in 1927, graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Wildlife. He met the love of his life Barbara Fink, at Ohio University, and they married in 1949. After 51 wonderful years together, she preceded him in death on March 15, 2000.

Early in his career, John was a newspaper, radio news reporter and sports editor on the Ironton, Ohio Tribune. John retired in 1977 after 20 plus years as Special Agent for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In this capacity he was resident agent in Wisconsin, North Dakota and New York State and a detailed agent in many other states. He was promoted to Special Agent in charge of New York State for seven years where he supervised all U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service law enforcement personnel and programs. He also had special assignments outside the country where he led crews on wildlife surveys and bird banding in the Artic, Northwest Territory, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. He was selected for a special assignment to assist the U.S. Navy solve the Albatross problem on Midway, Pearl Hermes Reef and the Laysan Islands.

After his retirement, he and his beloved Barbara Waters, moved to Durango and became involved in the San Juan Basin Archaeological Society where they discovered many wonderful areas to explore in the southwest, including his favorite place in the world, "Canyonlands."

John was an athlete, artist and avid outdoorsman who loved a challenge. He spent many years skiing and hiking in the San Juan Mountains and working on the Ski Patrol at Purgatory. In the summer, you would find John at Hillcrest Golf Club where he continued to score below his age at 88. In the winter, John spent many hours perfecting his art of Bird carving.

To cherish his memory, John is survived by his daughter, Laurel Waters (Leigh) and wife, Marjorie Cornwell.

Memorials may be given in his memory to Durango Nature Studies or La Plata Humane Society.