Russell Bonds Obituary

Longtime Bondad resident Russell J. "Junior" Bonds died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, at his home. He was 84.

Mr. Bonds was born to Russell and Vandella Bonds on Nov. 14, 1929, in Bondad. He graduated from Durango High School in 1948.

On July 3, 1952, he married JoAnna Gibbs in Aztec, while he was on leave from the Army. They had begun their courtship years before he began his military service, and, after the wedding, she followed him to Alaska, where he was deployed. He served in the Army during the Korean conflict.

Mr. Bonds lived in Bondad for his entire life except for his time in the military. Upon his discharge from the Army, the Bondses returned home and began working the land at the family ranch. They raised four children together.

Mr. Bonds was a charter member of the La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen's Association in 1950. The association named the Bonds family Cattlemen of the Year in 2003. Mr. Bonds also supported the La Plata County 4-H program.

"Junior's lifelong legacy was his ranch and his family," according to his family.

Mr. Bonds was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, JoAnna Bonds, in July.

He is survived by his children Martha Zellitti of Durango, Tom Bonds of Bondad, Vernon G. Bonds of Aztec and Jean Lesky of Healy, Kansas; sister, Alice MacLennan, of Bennett; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A joint celebration of life will be held for Mr. and Mrs. Bonds at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2014, in the Exhibit Hall at the La Plata County Fairgrounds. Friends are asked to honor the Bonds family dress code by wearing blue jeans.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen's Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 2524, Durango, CO 81302.