Raymond “Ray” E. Duran
Trinidad – Raymond “Ray” E. Duran, 70, of Trinidad, died Thursday, July 23, 2026, at home, surrounded by his wife and children. He was born October 24, 1955, in Trinidad, Colorado, the son of Joe Raymond “J.R.” Duran and Lidia Medina-Duran.
Ray graduated from Trinidad High School with the Class of 1973, where he played football and basketball, participated in 4-H, and was a member of the high school band. He later earned an Associate of Business degree (completed in one year) from Trinidad State Junior College. He was married to Christina M. Johnson, and they celebrated 23 years of marriage in March of this year.
Ray was active in the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Antonio Lopez Ditch Company, and the Colorado Petroleum Association. He was also instrumental in supporting and working alongside his father in the creation of the Coal Miner’s Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial. He enjoyed attending Broncos games, farming, hunting, fishing, and ranching with his dad. He also enjoyed traveling, but most of all he treasured making memories with his family.
Ray was a skilled entrepreneur with strong business acumen. He valued good employee-employer relationships and considered his employees family. At the height of Duran Oil Co., he employed more than 100 people. After exiting the convenience store business, he founded Duran Ventures, a land development company that currently has two active projects: Eagle Rock and The Estates at Rancho Duran.
In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jose Emmet and Antonia Duran and Ruben and Josefita Medina. Survivors include his wife, Christina M. Duran of Trinidad; son Brett Duran (Sarandon) of Trinidad; daughters Chelsea Borders (Matt) of Seaford Delaware, Bethany Greenwall (Nate) of Wellington, Colorado, Chanel Lyons (Derrick) of Littleton, Colorado, and Kylie Rae Faith Duran of Trinidad; grandchildren Jaelen Duran, Jaece Duran, Cooper Ray Borders, Owen Borders, Beckham Borders, Crewe Borders, Lowen Greenwall, Ledger Greenwall, Kierra Greenwall, Jacoby Greenwall, Arthur Ray Lyons, and Luca Lyons; and sisters Veronica Rivera (Richard), Bernadette Duran (Randy), and Corrine Duran-Abeyta (Fritz), all of Trinidad.
Visitation will be held Monday, August 3, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Comi Funeral Home. A service of remembrance will begin with the rosary at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, followed by the funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church. Interment will follow at Trinidad Catholic Cemetery.
Active pallbearers are Brett Duran, Cooper Ray Borders, Matthew Avila, Robert DePrisco, Ray Egley, Jeff Trujillo, and Jason Gomez. Honorary pallbearers are Matt Borders, Nate Greenwall, Derrick Lyons, Jim Montoya, Jason Sepulveda, Jerrod Montoya, Joey DeGarbo, and Jim Garlutzo.
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