Mike Elliott Obituary

I grew up 3 houses away from the Elliott´s´, they had a sauna in their back yard and can remember times in winter with 3 feet of snow everywhere a bunch of them exiting the sauna and rolling in the snow, just to return to the sauna. Will not forget those times!

I don't remember a time when I didn't know Mike Elliott. Our mothers were friends and our paths crossed from time to time. When I was 11 and he went to his first Olympics he was definitely larger than life but also as humble and as nice a person as I'd ever met. He always treated others as his equal and encourage them to reach their potential.

His enthusiasm, confidence, helpfulness, and leadership led me, my family and my friends to many summits. Some of the summits were hair raising but I always felt confident with Mike as our leader.
The influence that Mike had on my life was immeasurable and I will be forever grateful for it.
It's hard to believe that Mike is no longer with us. Durango seems incomplete without him but his presence will always be felt, at Electra Lake, Purgatory, and in the Needle Mountains that he knew and loved so much. My heartfelt condolences go out to Nancy as well as his children Thad, Evan and Paige. Their father was an extraordinary individual, and although he has left this Earth, he will always be right beside them smiling approvingly and proudly.

Elliott Family - I am so sorry to hear of Mike's loss. I smile deeply when I think of him. He was a foundational coach in my year's coming of age. He had a way of encouraging you to your edge, always with your best interest in mind. He gave you confidence to believe in yourself and all your potential. He was the type of coach you didn't want to let down, because you knew he was leaving it all out there on your behalf. I'll remember his smile and his heart, and seeing him outside doing yard work on the way to and from school, always with a passionate wave.

I hope today and the days to come you are full of his wonderful memory. Wishing you peace as you celebrate his incredible life.

“Big” Mike was a remarkable person who touched the lives of so many, including mine. His passion for athletics, service, and coaching inspired countless individuals, and his unwavering dedication to his family was evident every single day.

I am incredibly grateful for the warmth with which he welcomed me into the Durango community and for his encouragement to immerse myself in nordic skiing, knowing I was a sucker for hard work. ;) I’ll always cherish the memories of roller skiing on La Posta, with Mike driving the sag wagon and football pre-game on the radio, sharing stories, and imparting his wisdom during our road trips to ski and bike races. His joy in our own happiness, whether it was about skiing or cheering for our favorite sports teams, made those moments all the more special.

I’ll never forget Mike’s gentle reminder to look for fallen stars and make a wish—an invitation to savor life, be present, and have hope. It was one of his many valuable life lessons for us all.

He taught me swimming at age 5 or 6 at the swimming pool in town. I think I was on the side crying all the time as it was so cold at 8 am!!

Mike was a mentor a friend and a wonderful human being. He never hesitated to help other athletes on the x-c circuit become more of who they were. His mix of humor, personal strength, rugged gentleness and care for his fellow man made him a true icon in the Nordic world. Skiing and competing with him was always an inspiration and adventure. He added value to all our lives.
Terry Morse

Mike Elliott, the best friend you could ever have.

In 1983 when I first joined the City of Durango to manage the computer system, city manager Bob Ledger told me to go across the street to the fire/police station to meet a local running group, the Roadkill Track and Beer Club, that met every noon for an hour of fast running. There I first met Mike Elliott, and we became the closest of friends. Both of us were avid runners, cyclists, skiers, kayakers and outdoor adventurers. Mike was the quintessential multi-sports athlete. We drove to work with kayaks on top of our cars to boat the Animas after work. Weekends usually included hard bicycle riding and races. We often rode the 100-mile races together and when we were totally exhausted Mike somehow found enough breath for the humorous comments that distracted us enough to finish with a fast time.

In the summer there was the Roadkill running group; in the winter there was a tight-knit Nordic ski group that included top experts Dolph and Sabina Kuss and several that Dolph had trained as Durango´s superlative national-level skiers. Mike, helpful to all, greatly improved my ski technique and waxing, but while I could hold my own in the summer, he was far ahead in the weekly ski races to which we traveled. I admired his helpfulness to other skiers, his kind interactions, and his outstanding sportsmanship. In the few races he did not win, he always graciously sought out the winner to congratulate him.

Mike loved being in the mountains and my wife, Lynn, and I joined him and Nancy for myriad hiking and rafting adventures throughout the Rocky Mountains. Mike knew the mountains around Durango especially well because he and Dolph Kuss once ran a guide service to take people on multi-day trips into the mountains. Some of our trips with Mike became what he called an "Epic". On a mountain bike ride between Ouray and Telluride, Mike and I got caught by a white-out blizzard over Imogene Pass and I feared "this may be an Epic too far". But we survived once again and were soon back in Mike and Nancy´s living room planning the next adventure.

I was always amazed that with all the training, racing, and being in the outdoors, Mike could contribute so much to civic events and clubs in Durango. For me, Mike exemplified the best of Durango, almost defining Durango, with his athletic abilities and love of outdoor sports, along with his community involvement. To have had him as a very close friend was one of the greatest gifts in my life.

When members of the Telluride community desired to create a competitive cross country ski club for the first time in 2017, Mike patiently met with us several times to provide his support and share his wisdom. The three most important things we would need, he said, were involved families, enthusiastic leadership, and financial support. By following Mike's advice, Telluride now has a thriving Junior Nordic ski program with 50 kids a season, and a wait-list most years. We had our first ever athlete qualify for Junior Nationals last winter, and hopefully more to come. Telluride Junior Nordic is forever grateful to the Elliot family, for allowing us to lean on them as needed during our critical, formative years. In Mike's honor, we will continue to work with our friends at Durango Nordic to keep cross country skiing alive and well in southwest Colorado!

It's been more than thirty years since I left Southwestern Colorado, and many (maybe most?!) of the memories of growing up there have faded. But I still think regularly about the big role that nordic ski racing played in forming my outlook and disposition, and about how Mike's mentorship was such a big part of that experience. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has gone on to other places, and done other kinds of things, nevertheless deeply impacted by the guidance that Mike gave me on skis.

Just finished calling two wonderful friends who knew Mike...Joel and Barrney. They skied together for Dolph Kuss in the 60s and reunited, celebrated dined, and skied once more in Durango in March 2018 for the last time. We shared memories of Mike and the impact he made on our lives - his humor, integrity, humanity, humbleness, respectfulness, patience*, kindness**, and many other wonderful traits we'll never forget!
*He could teach the klutziest person (ME) how to try to avoid a tree while attempting to cross- country ski.
**He would share the choc chip cookies my mother would send to him while serving in Vietnam. It sweetened his troops. Perhaps he even shared one with To - the rescue dog he brought back to the U.S.

It was wonderful when he found Nancy. She and their children completed him! Durango and all the people fortunate enough to be "touched'' by Mike have had their lives enriched by him. He will be missed.

My deepest sympathy - Nancy, Tad, Paige, Evan (Irelyn), Callym, and Lucy. May many fond memories bring you comfort.
Terry

Mike Elliott is one of the major influences in my life and I am sure many, many other Durangoans. Unfortunately, I ran out of time to let him know that. My heart goes out to the family. I know how much you meant to him. I hope these words might help you understand how much he meant for so many others.

Mike was my ski coach through high-school and much more. He was a mentor and guide through a massive amount of growing up. Mike taught much more than just skiing. He taught us the right way to go about life, about the lessons athletics brings in life, about hard work and toughness. I´ll never forget many things he passed on, but some memories stick out more than others at the moment. I´m sure these memories might echo for others.

I´ll never forget crossing the finish line to a race, where I had given everything I had, and fell exhausted to the snow. Mike immediately ran out and pulled me off the snow. A lecture ensued right at the finish line about toughness, I´m pretty sure Vietnam was mentioned, and how I was never, ever to fall down at the end of the race. I have never dropped after crossing the line since.

One year, on the last practice before Nationals, I thought he was joking when he said we could win the race. Incredulous, I asked him if really believed that. He looked at me, and said with absolute conviction, that we had trained hard, and all we had to was be tough and we would be in the race. I dug deep, and didn´t fall down as I crossed the line that year with a win.

His influence went so far beyond skiing, in so many ways I can´t write them all here, but I still remember vividly, the day I told him I was going to do "on the job training" as a plumber in training, for half of my credits during my senior year in High School. Mike did NOT approve of this plan. After a long lecture about achievement and challenge, he made the ultimatum that I must sign up for Physics if I wanted to keep skiing. I am now a professor of Geophysics.

Mike taught us to ski classic. No, actually, he taught us the art of trying to ski classic, for only Dolph Kuss could actually ski classic. But while no stride was ever quite right, as he watched us ski up the hill, Mike taught us, that through hard work, dedication to quality, and determination, we could create our own art, and achieve our biggest dreams. The perfect classic stride is still possible.

You will be missed Mike. By so many. But your influence lives on in so many ways. May you only ski Swix Blue my Friend. Kick the foot forward, swing the hips, drive the knees and pounce like a cat. Your lessons live on.

In Loving Memory,
Payton Gardner

Loved working with Mike throughout all these years. He mentored many of us. Lots of love to Mile and the family.

He made speed on skis elegant. How you think is how fast you'll go.

While Mike was running Rocky Mountain Nordic (RMN), we appreciated his steady hand and strong leadership to help steer the organization and set up the junior national championship trips. These events were important to many, many athletes, and Mike´s style of leadership was exemplary. Elliott family, we feel your loss, and please know how much Mike had a positive influence on many. He will be missed.

Elliott family, So sorry to hear of your loss! What a devoted family man and Durango legend! We were lucky enough to meet and become inspired by Mike Elliott when we moved to Durango and our kiddos trained with Durango Nordic - LOVED the culture he created and style he believed in keeping active! We would also enjoy hikes up Animas Mountain with he and his dog and my daughter Emma still reminds me when she was 10 , this is where Mike Elliott taught her how tie a perfect double knot so your hiking boot doesn´t come loose!
His memory lives on and he has impacted many!

Im sad to hear of Mike´s passing! Im happy to hear he died as he lived with much passion!! I dated Mike a hundred years ago at Fort Lewis and he taught me how to cross country ski. Found memories of mike and Dolph Kuss and Purgatory! Ellen Zabel Seale

I will always cherish our time together growing up on West Second Avenue, as well our time together on the Durango Ski Team, our summer spent clearing brush on Chapman Hill and adding a new run on the west side of the rope tow, and our countless summers hiking, camping and climbing with Dolph Kuss.
What a Ride!

Love and blessings to those left behind.

Our deepest condolences. Thinking of you all and sending love at this special time.

Mike was my manager when I worked at Purgatory Sports. All of the staff felt a deep connection due to his management. We got together and stayed in touch for decades after working together. This was because of Mike´s team building talent. Mike brought a dog home from Viet Nam and he was always in the shop and we all doted on him. His name was To. God Speed Mike Elliot.

Great memories of Mike when he was on the US Ski Team with my husband, Charlie Kellogg. Mike always seemed to have a smile for everyone. What a great enthusiast for life well lived. May all the skiers find happy trails to ski together in the skies!!

Mike was an inspiration to me. He taught me a front flip off the DHS diving board back in the 60s. He was so kind to me. Later I was on the DHS cross country team where Mike continued to be an inspiration. Every time I would run into Mike over the years he was always out enjoying himself biking,hiking, skiing, or doing something else in the outdoors. I was involved in the first Iron Horse, and the photo is of Mike reaching the top of Coal Bank Pass in first place. Mike has always been someone I looked up to and admired. I am so sorry to see that he has died. He influenced so many people, and impacted my life greatly.

I feel lucky that I can say I knew Mike. He always was so nice and stopped to talk to me whenever we happened to meet. I'm sad that those days are gone.

An inspiration for me having skied with him at Ft. Lewis. Definitely one of my heroes. Darrel Parmenter.