(The Pagosa Springs Sun Friday, September 17,1926) Jacob Opdyke. Though the end has been expected for some days, the death this morning of Jacb Opdyke at the home of his sister in Pagosa springs, Mrs Daisy Fitzhugh, came as a shock to his numerous friends in this county. He has been a sufferer from diabetes for several months, and has been in a serious condition for several weeks, gradually growing weaker until his demise this morning. The funeral services will be held at the Hatcher Chapel tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 o'clock and we will publish an obituary in out next issue.

****************************
(The Pagosa Springs Sun December, 1933) Sara (Salazar) Ortega. Mrs. Flaminio Ortega, who resided in the Mrs. Rebecca Trujillo property on seventh street, passed away at 7:00 o'clock Saturday morning from pneumonia. The remains were taken to Rosa, N.M., where funeral service and interment were held on Sunday. Sara Salazar was born at Rosa and was the daughter or Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Salazar of that place. She was 27 years of age, and besides her parents and husband, leaves two little daughters, one 1 ½ yeas old and the other only 20 days old.

****************************
(The Pagosa Springs Sun December 10, 1970) James Theodore Olsen, was born November 27, 1902, Thanksgiving Day, in Palestine community near Stephenson, Mich., the son of Charles and Sofia Olsen. He passed away on November 26, 1970, lacking one day being 68 years old. As a young man he worked in the timber and in the lumber mills of upper Michigan, He first came to southeastern Colorado in 1934, and came to the Bayfield area by 1937, later he was with a construction company on various large projects both in the United States and abroad. On May 23, 1950, he and Genevieve Johnson were united in marriage in Aztec, N.M. To this union were born a daughter and two sons. In 1954 they returned to the Bayles community near Pagosa Spring to make their home and engaged in ranching. After an illness of several months, he was taken to the hospital on November 21 and passed away at 3 P.M. on Thanksgiving Day. He is survived by his wife Genevieve, his daughter Mrs. Alice Jelinik of Greely, Colorado and his two sons, Charles Martin and James Curtis, students at Pagosa Springs High School: by two nieces in Wisconsin, Mrs. Marie Brabant and Mrs. Verna Paige, and two Nieces in Michigan, Mrs. Eleanor Varino and Mrs. Katherine Paschke. He was a friend to all, with "Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you" as his creed.

****************************
(The Pagosa Springs Sun January 16, 1953) John Eben "Buck" O'Neal. On January 8th, 1953, at 4:00 o'clock p.m. Buck O'Neal Passed away at his home in Pagosa Springs. He suffered ill health for about two years prior to his death. John Eben "Buck" O'Neal was born at what is now known as Bayfield, Colorado, on July 4, 1885 and was a twin brother of Lucy O'Neal Irwin. Lucy preceded him in death on August 8, 1923. Besides his wife he leaves two sons, Gordon N. O'Neal age 10, and Vernon O. O'Neal, age 15. He is survived also by a niece, Mrs. Coyne Thompson of Durango Colorado, and a nephew, Stanton Keen, who resides in California. Buck was 67 years of age at the time of his death and lived for 66 years in Archuleta County. He was united in marriage with Nellie H. Tallman at the Toner Ranch in Hinsdale County, Colorado on September 30, 1930 and two sons, Vernon and Gordon were born to this union. His parents, John S. O'Neal and Lovina V. O'Neal came to Colorado from Texas in 1850 (1880?) settling in La Plata County and moved to Pinos, Colorado now known as Bayfield, where Buck was born. They moved to their ranch in O'Neal Park about 1889 and O'Neal park was named after these original settlers. Buck was the hero of many a lad in Pagosa Springs for his renowned ability in hunting and fishing. His love for the wilderness trails of our mountains was reflected in his every day life and the friends who mourn his passing are perhaps numbered with the leaves of the Aspen beneath which he walked. He took an active interest in community affairs and served as Marshal of Pagosa Springs for several years. In his younger days he worked for the telephone company as trouble shooter on the difficult East fork line keeping communications open in spite of slide and heavy snow. He was an experienced powder man on construction work and his birthday was usually celebrated early in the morning of July 4th with an earth shaking blast near town which also served as an awakening salute to start the days celebration. To have known Buck O'Neal in his lifetime was an experience in itself for those remaining few who remember this area when it was new; and for others to share the rare companionship of men, like my friend now lying at rest who have followed the course of empire to the last frontier and have finally fallen asleep amid the scenes and among the people he and they loved so well.

****************************
(Pagosa Springs News, February 16, 1900) John S. O'Neal. The subject of this sketch was born in Texas, January 26, 1847, and with his family traveled overland to New Mexico; three years later they removed to La Plata county, Colo., and about eleven years ago became resident of Archuleta County. Deceased was know for his great generosity in his dealing with mankind. His friends were many and a bollm was cast over the whole community when it was learned that his light had gone out. He died at 7'oclock p.m. on Wednesday, February 14, 1900. of pneumonia. Mr. O'Neal had been to his ranch in the park last week and while there took sick. On Saturday evening he was brought to town and seemed to be getting along nicely until Tuesday night when a change for the worst occurred. Few people know of his dangerous condition until shortly before death occurred. October 8, 1869, Mr. O'Neal married Virginia Keith, by whom he has two children (twins), Eber and Lucy. The widow and children survive him; also several brothers and many other relatives. His career in Texas was an active one. being then largely interested in cattle raising. When on the trail from Texas to New Mexico he and his partner, Mr. Keith was killed and the Indians stole about one thousand head of cattle. Mr. O'Neal was active in local politics. He has served as a member of the board of county commissioners and also as a member of the town board. The remains will be interred in the Pagosa Spring cemetery today. The bereaved ones have the sympathy of the entire community.

****************************

Page Last Modified,