Milton Chamblee Obituary

Longtime Four Corners resident Milton Junior Chamblee died Monday, Jan. 17, 2011, at his home in Cortez. He was 86.

Mr. Chamblee was born to Milton and Woody (Norton) Chamblee on June 6, 1924, in Brownsville, Texas. His family moved to Durango when he was 5. He was one of nine children.

Mr. Chamblee served in the Army during World War II. He was a tank commander in the European Theater and fought in a number of major battles including the Battle of the Bulge. Mr. Chamblee received the Purple Heart.

On March 22, 1948, he married June Mardel Little in Aztec.

Mr. Chamblee lived most of his life in Durango, farming and working as a mechanic.

During the 1970s and 1980s, he was a silversmith, making turquoise jewelry. Mr. Chamblee was an avid gardener and woodworker.

He moved to Cortez in 1991.

Mr. Chamblee was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, June Chamblee, in 2001.

He is survived by his daughters, Judy Peacock of Durango, Rebecca LeClair of Grand Junction and Trudy Willis of Cañon City; sons Douglas Chamblee and Tim Chamblee, both of Durango; sister Billie June Heizer of Aztec; six grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

A private family remembrance service will take place at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Hospice of Montezuma, P.O. Box 740, Cortez, CO 81321.