Joel Thomas Eads of Durango died Feb. 14, 2013, at home. He was 30.
Joel was born January 2, 1983, in Durango. He is survived by his parents, Lyle and Darcy Eads of Dolores; brothers, Jordan Eads, Jamin Eads and Jesse Eads, all of Dolores; grandparents, Jim and Kay Hopper of Durango; grandmother, Aloha Eads of Denver; great-grandmother, Helen Prough of Durango; ex-wife, Shannon Kinne of Cortez; and by seven uncles, seven aunts and 17 cousins.
Joel graduated from Montezuma-Cortez High School in 2001. He has lived in this area for 16 years.
Joel was employed by Fine Wood Interiors in Durango, and was a skilled cabinetmaker and finishing carpenter. He began his apprenticeship under his uncle, Erik Enriquez after graduating from high school. His custom woodwork can be found in some of Durango's finest homes.
Joel was an avid reader and owned hundreds of books. He also loved to write and filled countless journals with his thoughts.
His dogs, Maynard and Turtle were faithful companions and often accompanied him wherever he went.
A memorial service will be held for Joel on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 3:30 p.m. at the Lewis-Arriola Community Center, 21176 County Road S, Cortez (7.5 miles north of Cortez on Hwy. 491, then 0.75 miles west on County Road S).