Theodore Bruce Sooter

Theodore Bruce Sooter,72, of Durango, Colo., passed away on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011, while recovering from a stroke. He was born Jan. 2, 1939, in Del Norte, Colo., the first New Year's baby to be born in the San Luis Valley. Ted joined the Navy when he was 17, serving on the USS Essex. After his service, he returned to Durango, the area he always felt was his home. His mother's family was one of the first pioneer families to settle in Animas City. Ted married Donna Ramsey in 1961, and had two daughters, Sanlen Louella Sooter and Dina Lee (Sooter) Bartch. He later married Kathy Nelson and they had a son, Dusty Shane Sooter. Ted was a masonry contractor and started G & S Masonry with Harold Gillis in the late 1970s. Ted also was an accomplished Western artist. His art hung in galleries in Scottsdale, Ariz., Santa Fe, Hartmans's of Durango, the Ore House and Francisco's Restaurant. One of his paintings was in a juried show at the Louvre in Paris. Ted loved the outdoors, spending time fishing, hunting, boating, camping, gold panning and metal detecting. He has a great love for animals, especially dogs. Ted was a longtime member of the Elks Lodge in Durango. Ted was preceded in death by his mother, Amanda Grace; father Theodore Franklin; an infant son and infant daughter. Ted is also survived by granddaughters, Jennie Bartch and Hannah McKendry, sister, Ruth (Rich) Leplatt; niece, Pam (Dan) Voecks; and numerous cousins. Cremation will take place and there will be no services. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Stroke Association , 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas TX, 75231, or to a Humane Society/Shelter of your choice. Bereavement cards may be mailed to P.O. Box 2724, Durango, CO, 81392 Ted has been entrusted to: Cope Memorial Chapel 405 S. Main Ave. Aztec, NM 87410 (505)334-9332