MULLENIX, Oran Ray (Spike)

Pine River Times News Durango, Colorado Oran Ray “Spike” Mullenix Oran Ray Mullenix, 88, died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008, at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Durango, Colorado. A Recitation of the Rosary was held at St. Ignatius Catholic Church on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008. A memorial mass was held on Feb. 18, 2008, at 11 a.m. at St. Ignatius Catholic Church. Cremation occurred at Hood Mortuary Crematory in Durango. Mr. Mullenix was born May 12, 1919, in Paonia, Colo., the son of Joseph and Bertha Mullenix. He grew up around Breen and Durango and graduated from Durango High School. Spike served in the Army during World War II as a mechanic in the infantry. Upon his discharge from the Army, he began ranching in the Ignacio area and was married to Petra Romero. As the operator of a ranch and due to his military training, he was a “ jack of all trades, and Mr. Fix it” around the ranch, according to his family. Spike was of the generation that he did most everything needed to run the ranch himself, including construction, auto mechanic repair, and electrician tasks. He enjoyed playing cards, horseshoes, and working on his cars. He is survived by his wife, Petra Mullenix of Ignacio; stepsons Leroy G. Romero of Salt Lake City, Utah and Juan Romero of Ignacio; stepdaughter Barbara Miramontes of San Francisco; a brother, Jack Squires of Allison; and numerous nieces and nephews.