Sherry Bacus Obituary

Longtime Durango resident Sherry Lea Bacus died Monday, April 1, 2013, at her Durango home from accidental carbon-monoxide exposure. She was 67.

Ms. Bacus was born to Charles and Lollie Lemon on Feb. 3, 1946, in Durango. She grew up in Durango on the Lemon Dam family homestead and the family's Florida Mesa ranch.

Ms. Bacus was an entrepreneur who started and owned several businesses, including Backus Construction, The Wood Gallery and Santé. She was also a successful real estate broker and developer for many years. Ms. Bacus had a gift for decorating homes and businesses, a passion that brought her much joy, her family said.

She is remembered for giving generously of her time and love. "Mom always wanted to be laughing. She made a place and time for those moments to exist," her son Ronnie Guffey said. "Mom's door was always open to family and guests. It didn't matter who they were, they were invited for holidays and family gatherings. It was an 'always open door policy.'" Ms. Bacus loved her friends and family, cooking, riding horses and being on the family ranch. She was truly a small town country girl and looked forward to Fridays on the town with her friends and family. Most importantly, she cherished her time spent with her grandsons, Mitchell and Michael, and granddaughter, Amanda.

She is survived by her son, Ronnie Guffey of Durango; daughter, Kimberly Carr of Denver; sister, Penni Compton and brother, Paul Lemon, both of Durango.She was preceded in death by a son, Randy Bacus. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. today, April 6, 2013, at Hood Mortuary. Paul Lemon will officiate. Burial will take place at Crestview Cemetery in Durango.