Milton F. Lechner

Milton Frank Lechner, 96, of Bloomfield, passed away Thursday, July 2, 2010, in Farmington. Milton was born Aug. 5, 1913, in Durango, Colo., to John and Edna May (Salmon) Lechner. Milton was raised on the family ranch in Durango. He attended school in Rockwood and Hermosa, Colo., in Durango, Flagstaff, Ariz., and in Farmington. He graduated from Durango High School in 1930. He attended college at the University of Texas in Austin and the University of Washington in Seattle. He worked for a short time for Lockheed Aircraft in Burbank, Calif., moved back to Durango, worked on the family ranch and for the Game and Fish Department. In 1937 and 1938, he was transferred by the Game and Fish Department to Fort Collins, Colo. This is where he met the love of his life, Dorothy McDonald. Milton and Dorothy were married on Aug. 7, 1941, in Aztec. They had two sons, John and Robert. In 1941 he was drafted into the United States Army. He spent most of his service at Fort Adams and Fort Wetherill in Rhode Island. He earned the rank of captain. In 1946, he returned to Durango. He and Dorothy ranched in Durango and Bloomfield until 1989. When he and Dorothy retired, they spent several years enjoying winters in Arizona. Milton served on the board for the Hammond Conservancy District, the County Soil and Water Conservation District Board and the New Mexico State Science Center Advisory Board. He was voted State Conservation Farmer of the Year. Milton was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his parents, John and Edna May Lechner; his grandparents, Frank and Mary Lechner and P.M. and Mary Salmon; his sister, Mildred Cox; and his brother, Albert Lechner. Milton leaves behind his sons, John (Charlotte) Lechner of Lavon, Texas, and Robert (Judith) of Bloomfield; four grandchildren, Robert (Cheryl) of Sasche, Texas, Jason (April) Lechner of Rowlett, Texas, Michael Lechner of Boulder, Colo., and Christopher Lechner of Los Angeles, Calif.; and two great-grandchildren, John Paul and Haleigh Lechner of Rowlett. Milton enjoyed a full and wonderful life. At his request, there will be no services. Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home 103 E. Ute St. Farmington, NM 87401 (505) 325-8688