Donald R. Hilleary

April 18, 1950 — Aug. 26, 2008

CLIFTON — Longtime Western Colorado resident, Donald R. Hilleary, age 58, passed away on Tuesday evening, Aug. 26, 2008 at his Clifton residence.  

Donald Robert Hilleary was born on April 18, 1950 in Montrose, Colo. to parents, James Kenneth and Ruby Ann (Miller) Hilleary. The family lived in the Nucla-Uravan area from 1958 to 1963 until they moved to Bishop, Calif. He attended college at the University of Reno from 1968 to 1969 then transferred to Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo. Don joined the United States Army and was stationed in Germany from 1971 until 1974. Upon being discharged from the military, Don returned to CSU and graduated with a Civil Engineering degree and became a professional engineer in 1984. Don worked for several mining companies including Nuclear Assurance, Cyprus Bagdad, Arizona, Cyprus Thompson Creek, Idaho and most recently owned his own engineering business in Grand Junction.  

Don loved to hunt, both archery and rifle, fishing, collecting stamps, camping, wood working and was an avid reader.

Don is survived his children, Sean Hilleary of Clifton, Colorado; daughter, Kathy Pierce of Salt Lake City, Utah; sisters, Jackie Carner-Garlitz and husband Bob of Grand Junction, Colo., and Donna Fink and husband Gary of Anniston, Ala.; along with two grandchildren, Canyon and Navaeh; three nephews and one niece.

A funeral service will be held on Friday morning, Sept. 5, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. at the Gospel Ministry Center at 30 & D Road. Interment will follow with military honors at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado.

Visit our Web site, sign the online register and send condolences to his family at www.sunsetmesafuneraldirectors.com.

Arrangements are being handled under the direction, care and have been entrusted by Don’s family to Sunset Mesa Funeral Directors (970) 240-9870.