Donald Ryan Dec. 1954 ~ 6/13/2021
Donald Ryan was born December 1954 in Walsenburg, Colorado. He retired March 2020 and passed away June 13, 2020.
He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Theresa Ryan; daughter, Christina (May) Mortimore; and grandson, Andrew Mortimore; all from Battle Mountain, Nevada; mother, Florence Ryan; and sister, Bonnie Robbe from La Veta, Colorado; brother, Ron (Sissy) Ryan from Pueblo, Colorado; mother-in-law, Eleanor Dietrick, North Dakota; brothers-in-law, Duane Hall, North Dakota, Brian Hall (Brenda), Michigan, and Jeff Hall, Aurora, Colorado.
He is also survived by nieces and nephews: Gary (Camrey) Ryan, Jim (Heather) Robbe, Jessica (Jeremiah) Blaha, Tina Robbe, Candi (AJ) Armstrong, Jarrod (Liz) Salmon, Morgan Goddard, Katie Thebo, Brittany (Eric) Anderson, Joseph Hall, Elizabeth Hall; and many great nieces and nephews.
Don was preceded by his father, Donald “Ray” Ryan; son, Chad May; brother, Robert (Debi) Ryan; and father-in-law, Duane Hall.
Don’s strong work ethic and dependability formed at an early age. He grew up on and eventually worked on ranches in Colorado. After graduating from La Veta High School in 1973, he enlisted in the US Navy. Don was stationed aboard the USS Constellation CV-64 / Interior Communications (Electrician). After his tour-of-duty, he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree, in geology, from Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado.
He worked as a geologist for several mining companies, including: Standard Metals, Sunnyside Mine, Silverton, Colorado; Sunshine Precious Metals, Trixie Mine, Eureka, Utah; Sunshine Mining, 16-to-1, Mary/Drinkwater properties Silver Peak, Nevada; and Echo Bay Alaska. Don was working at Echo Bay, McCoy Cove Mines, Battle Mountain, Nevada until the property closed. He then earned an electrical technology degree from Great Basin College, Nevada. In 2006, he was hired by Barrick (Nevada Gold Mines), Cortez Mine where he worked for about 14 years until he retired as a Senior Geologist.
Don genuinely enjoyed reading. He was never far from a book, newspaper, magazine, or his tablet. He also looked forward to walks with the dogs.
Don’s Celebration of Life will take place in La Veta, Colorado, a place he called home, on June 14, 12:30 at the La Veta Community Center.
