Videos Login Subscribe Renew E-edition
logo
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
  • News
  • Features
  • Opinion
    • Columns
    • Letters
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds
    • Place a Classified
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • Legal Notices
    • Read Statewide Legal Notices
  • Archives
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
      • Columns
      • Letters
    • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
      • Place a Classified
    • Advertise
    • Contact us
    • Legal Notices
      • Read Statewide Legal Notices
    • Archives
Alan Lee Stapleton
Obituaries
April 10, 2024
Alan Lee Stapleton

Alan Lee Stapleton, 73, a resident of Loghill Village, Ridgway CO, passed away suddenly on a beautiful, sunny afternoon while walking in the neighborhood in April. Alan was born in the summer of 1950, in Grand Junction, CO to Francis and Ella (Cerise) Stapleton. He attended Grand Junction High School where he played varsity football and baseball. He also attended Mesa Junior College in Grand Junction and Western State in Gunnison, CO, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting. In the late summer of 1970, Alan married his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann (Desrosiers) Stapleton.

As a young boy and through high school, Alan worked at his family’s grocery store, ‘This Is It Grocery,’ and then for Safeway in college. Alan touched many lives personally and professionally and was known for being extremely honest and easy to work with. He was an excellent businessman and leader. While in Colorado Springs (1975-1993), he co-owned and operated several successful restaurant franchises and was the executive director of Pioneer Industrial Enterprises, where he helped developmentally disabled people gain life skills and find employment. He served the Ouray County community as a knowledgeable and respected Realtor in Ridgway for the last 30 years while at the same time providing amazing care to his wife, Mary.

Alan was a 5th generation Colorado native whose family settled in Colorado in 1874. He loved creative cooking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends, as well as being outside: running, walking, boating, and fishing. He loved lemon merengue pie or anything lemony and an evening martini with olives to share with others.

Alan was a member of St. Daniel the Prophet Parish in Ouray, CO, and of the Loghill Volunteer Fire Department for several years and he served as president of the Colorado/Wyoming Restaurant Association for over 6 years while in Colorado Springs.

Alan was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He was known for telling a good story – both tall and true! Alan is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, Ridgway, daughter, Michelle Stapleton (James) Denver, son, Steve Stapleton (Amelia and grandson Rowan) Renton WA, brother, Fred Stapleton (Joyce) Lake City, CO and many cousins (Stapleton and Cerise).

Alan was preceded in his death by his parents, Francis (2007) and Ella (2012).

Services will be held at 11:00 am on April 12, 2024, at St. Daniel of the Prophet followed by a graveside service at Cedar Hill Cemetery and then a luncheon at St Daniel’s.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Daniel’s Church, 614 5th St., Ouray, Colorado 81427. All gifts will be used to benefit the local communities.

Driver survives plunge off pass
Main, News...
Driver survives plunge off pass
Distracted Montrose County man sustains minor injuries, cited for suspected careless driving
By Erin McIntyre and Mike Wiggins erin@ouraynews.com mike@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
A Montrose County resident survived an accident on Red Mountain Pass on Oct. 9, where his truck went over the edge and rolled down the mountain. According to information from the Colorado State Patrol...
this is a test
Gulde touts experience, years of service
News
Election 2025
Gulde touts experience, years of service
Gulde touts experience, years of service
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
Tamara Gulde didn’t intend to assemble campaign flyers and put up yard signs this fall. After four years as a Ouray city councilor, she was ready to step back and let someone else take their turn as o...
this is a test
Underwood sees gap between council, public
News
Election 2025
Underwood sees gap between council, public
By Mike Wiggins mike@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
When he looks out at the audience at a Ouray City Council meeting or walks Main Street, Michael Underwood said he sees and hears people who are disconnected from those elected to represent them. Some ...
this is a test
News
Water costs increase for county irrigators
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
The cost of leasing backup water to support Ouray County irrigators is increasing this year, as the Tri-County Water Conservancy District is charging $21,000 to store the water in the Ridgway Reservoi...
this is a test
News
Wildfire panel focuses on insurance issues
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
Wildfires are one natural disaster communities can exercise some control over. And the hope is that soon homeowners will not only have control over mitigating wildfire risk around their homes, but als...
this is a test
Feature
Ridgway Film Festival offers packed weekend
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
"Eclectic" might be the word to describe the 11th Annual Ridgway Independent Film Festival's schedule. The fest has exploded into a four-day event, running today (Thursday) through Sunday, with 101 fi...
this is a test
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
News
In budget crunch, county may revive hiring policy
Commissioners could have final say on filling vacant positions
By Lia Salvatierra lia@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
Ouray County leaders plan to revive a policy that would allow county commissioners to reconsider hiring new employees to fill vacant roles, as alarm over the county’s financial situation intensifies. ...
this is a test
News
County ok’s variance for home construction
Variance OK'd for home
October 15, 2025
Ouray County commissioners have approved an exception to the county’s skyline regulations for a property in Dallas Meadows, agreeing there was no way to build on the property without violating those r...
this is a test
Investigation nabs illegal guns, suspected drugs
News
Investigation nabs illegal guns, suspected drugs
By Erin McIntyre erin@ouraynews.com 
October 15, 2025
An investigation into a report of shots fired from a truck on Log Hill Mesa led the Ouray County Sheriff's Office to an arrest involving illegal firearms and suspected drugs. David Allen Wolfe, 46, wa...
this is a test
Ouray School Board candidate profile: Phylis Fagrelius
News
Election 2025
Ouray School Board candidate profile: Phylis Fagrelius
By Erin McIntyre 
October 15, 2025
Phylis Fagrelius has learned an important lesson, living in Ouray for the past 37 years. “The more you give, the more you get back,” she said. It’s something she has experienced through teaching, ment...
this is a test
Ouray School Board candidate profile: Andrea Calhoon Meruelo
News
Election 2025
Ouray School Board candidate profile: Andrea Calhoon Meruelo
By Erin McIntyre 
October 15, 2025
It wasn’t long after Andrea Calhoon Meruelo graduated from Ouray School in 1999 that she realized she received a pretty stellar education at the tiny mountain school. “I recognized right away in colle...
this is a test
Facebook

Remote-triggered avalanche in San Juan Mountains

First responders receive first COVID-19 vaccines

Ouray County Plaindealer
Office address:

195 S Lena St. Unit D
Ridgway, Colorado 81432
970-325-4412

Mailing address:
PO Box 529
Ridgway CO 81432

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2023 Ouray County Plaindealer

  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Accessibility Policy