Richard Glasco Obituary

Longtime Durango resident Richard "Dick" Eugene Glasco, passed away peacefully at home on September 15, 2025. Dick was born to Louise and Willard Glasco in Bigelow ("Toad Suck"), Arkansas on June 17, 1936.

In his early years, Dick's family moved back and forth between Bigelow and Wichita, Kansas, before settling in Phoenix, Arizona in 1948. He graduated from Central High School in Phoenix in 1954. Dick met his wife of 50 years, Peggy, on a blind date in 1960, and they were married that year on Dec. 2.

Dick became a builder at heart while learning all the building trades from his dad. As a fast and efficient builder, he constructed multiple homes and apartments in the Phoenix area.

In 1971, Dick grew tired of the Phoenix heat, and taking a risk, moved his family to Durango, Colorado to start his construction company, Durango Builders. He built homes, additions and remodels in Durango, Cortez, Bayfield, Ignacio, Purgatory Ski Resort and Electra Lake.

In Durango, he built duplexes and commercial buildings including Bank of Durango and Bank of San Juan locations, and a major renovation at Saint Mark's Episcopal Church.

At Purgatory, he built the Edelweiss and Sitzmark condominiums, Powder House and Dante's restaurants, and multiple base area buildings. Dick employed and became lifelong friends with many hippies and ski bums during that time. For many years, an Edelweiss condominium was the center for the family's love of skiing.

Dick built at the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center including the Gates building and its research lab. His work at Crow Canyon introduced Dick to archaeology and the beautiful Southwest desert scenery.

After becoming a "desert rat," Dick spent much of his free time exploring and hiking in the Southwest deserts with his wife Peggy and many friends. In his later years when his legs gave out, he drew maps for his friends of the many Anasazi sites he visited.

Dick stayed active throughout his life hiking, skiing, playing tennis, honky-tonk dancing, and reading. At the family home, he created a rock garden and wildlife sanctuary, and built a Christmas star for the community which shines in the east Animas Valley every holiday season.

Dick loved socializing at the Ore House, skiing with friends at Purgatory, betting with friends on sports, and building for friends. Dick believed in people and never hesitated to give the shirt off his back. Dick's kind heart shined through with his great smile and laugh.

Dick is survived by three sons Kyle, Garth (Lisa) and Shawn Glasco; seven grandchildren Wesley, Bryan, Chad, Joshua, Catarina, Colton, and Maleigha Glasco; two great-grandkids Richard and Barbara; and siblings Barbara Knoles, Jerry Glasco, and Ken Glasco. He is predeceased by his wife Peggy; parents Willard and Louise Glasco; sister Sandy; and "adopted" son John Jenkins.

A celebration of Dick's life will be held on Saturday, November 8, at 12:00 PM at the Elks, located at 901 E 2nd Ave Durango Colorado. The next day, Dick and Peggy's ashes will be spread at the family home. Dick's ashes will also be later spread at Sacred Mesa and Black Mesa Butte both in Southeast Utah, and at the top of Paradise run at Purgatory.

A special thanks to Dick's friend Terry Zink, and Common Spirit Mercy Home Health and Hospice for helping Dick stay at home his final months.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dick's memory to Hospice at Mercy, 125 Mercado St., Suite 131, Durango, CO 81301.