Raymond Stolworthy Obituary

Longtime Durango resident Raymond Stolworthy died Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011, at his home. He was 80. He had fought cancer and macular degeneration for years.

Mr. Stolworthy was born to Jesse Henry and Lula Lurene Stolworthy on July 13, 1930, in Kirtland, N.M. One of 13 kids, he, his father and brothers all spoke Navajo.

On June 7, 1949, he married Marceil Haynes in Farmington.

Mr. Stolworthy was a professional truck driver and owned Stolworthy Trucking Co. He hauled rock and gravel as well as being in the logging business with his brother John.

In his spare time, Mr. Stolworthy enjoyed spending time at K-Bob's and Lori's restaurants, talking and sharing stories.

"Ray was a storyteller, holding attention with everyone," his family wrote. "His grandchildren would gather to hear him tell his stories. He played his harmonica for all of us to hear."

They said he was a kind, loving and generous person.

Mr. Stolworthy is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marceil Stolworthy, of Durango; daughters Starla Lynn Goodwin of Durango and Laura Ellen Bishop of Farmington; sons Raymond Craig Stolworthy and Sherrill Lloyd Stolworthy, both of Las Vegas, and Gary Kent Stolworthy of Drain, Ore.; brothers Carr Stolworthy of Farmington and Larry Stolworthy of Rio Rancho, N.M.; sister Carly Calzada of Oceanside, Calif.; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5, 2011, at the Durango Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2 Hilltop Circle. Larry Stolworthy will give the eulogy.