Ury Ealum Obituary

Ury Lyle Ealum, age 96, died of natural causes on August 15, 2015, at his home in Durango, Colorado.

Mr. Ealum is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Amelia and Tom Metz of Durango, CO; his granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Gymala and Frank Page of Durango, CO; and his grandson, Ury Metz, of Calhan, CO. He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo Ealum, along with three brothers and two sisters.

Mr. Ealum was born April 3, 1919 in Arboles, CO, to parents Walter and Anna Ealum. He was one of eight children. As a young adult Mr. Ealum moved from Colorado to California to work where he then joined the U.S. Army just prior to the start of World War II. He served in the 53rd Infantry Regiment, Alaskan Defense Command, from 1940 to 1945.

Upon returning to Colorado after the war, Mr. Ealum married Betty Jo Smith in Aztec, NM on October 6, 1946. He and his wife owned and operated the Candlelite Café on East 6th Street in Durango from 1946 to 1964. Mr. Ealum and his family returned to California where he worked as a cook then as a stationary fireman & watch engineer at the Camarillo State Hospital from 1967 to 1976. In 1976 he moved home to Durango, where he retired and remained for the rest of his life. All throughout his life, however, when he was asked his occupation, he would answer "sheep herder," a delightful reference to his childhood.

Mr. Ealum joined the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Colorado in August 1960 to which he belonged all his life. He exemplified their motto of "friendship, love and truth." He was also an avid vegetable gardener and got great pleasure from working in his orchard at his home on the Hermosa Creek. Mr. Ealum enjoyed cooking and he baked delicious pies and breads. Visitors to his home were always warmly greeted and treated to a slice of pie and a cup of coffee.

The viewing is scheduled for Friday, August 28, 2015, 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Hood Mortuary, Durango, CO. Pastor Dan Straw will officiate the funeral scheduled for Saturday, August 29, 2015, 10:00 a.m. at Hood Mortuary. Interment will be at the Greenmount Cemetery in Durango followed by a memorial luncheon at the DoubleTree Hotel in Durango, 12:30 p.m.–3:00 p.m.