April 15, 1967-January 7, 2025
On January 7, 2025, Don’s intrepid spirit forever joined the San Juan Mountains he cherished. Don was born in Salina, Kansas, and began his sports endeavors at an early age. From that point forward he gave 100% to everything he approached in life. He had unwavering integrity, loyalty and drive.
He graduated from Arizona State University pursuing a career in Information Systems. He married his wife and best friend Brenda in 1993. They lived in Arizona until relocating to Ouray County in 2007. Soon after, their beautiful Chocolate Labrador, Disa, joined the family and became the second love of his life.
Although an accomplished IT professional, his primary focus was always living life to the fullest through endurance sports and outdoor adventures with Brenda, and often Disa, at his side.
A friend described Don as so incredibly motivated and singularly focused that no goal was unattainable. He approached all of his activities with this mindset.
Ever seeking the next challenge, his accomplishments in sports over the years are too many to fully list. A sampling includes top finishes in road, mountain bike and gravel cycling events, Adventure Races including Eco-Challenges, triathlons including three Ironman finishes, numerous ultramarathons including the Leadville 100, ski mountaineering including the Grand Traverse 50 mile, over 1,000 backcountry ski tours, summiting 55 of Colorado’s 14,000 foot peaks, ice climbing, deep water scuba diving, and hunting with his bow, muzzleloader and rifle in the San Juan mountains.
He also found great satisfaction mentoring, inspiring and supporting others in their outdoor sports and hunting pursuits. Don was an entertaining storyteller and loved to laugh with friends over a beer (or two) after the adventures were done for the day.
He had impressive mechanical abilities as a bike mechanic, ski tech and all around do it yourself person. He was constantly researching, learning and tinkering with gear seeking the best performance.
He was proud to have been a member of the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team participating in search and rescue operations. He was happy to make a positive impact on those he was involved in helping.
What Don missed in quantity of years, he more than made up for in quality of life.
Don is survived by his wife, Brenda; mother, Doris; siblings, Steve, Doug (Vonnie), Susan (Randy) Shelley and Terri Ogorzolka; nieces, Kayla (Dillon) and Sarah Moden, Lauren (Ben) Ussery; Nephews, Mathew and Aaron Ogorzolka, Samuel (Libby) and Ryan Shelley and Christian Moden; and his many longtime friends.
No services will be held at this time. An outdoor celebration of life will be held this summer.
Don’s memory can be honored through a donation to the Ouray Mountain Rescue Team, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, or just getting outside for your own adventures.
