Violace T Durnell

Violace (Vic) T Durnell of Arvada, Colorado, passed away on March 27, 2025, at the age of 90, surrounded by his loving family. Family and friends are invited to attend services at Olinger - Crown Hill, on Friday April 11, at 1:30 p.m MDT.

Vic was born Violace T Durnell on February 7, 1935, to J T and Julia Durnell. He attended Steamboat Springs schools from 6th grade through graduation from high school. He met Louise Hays in a high school study hall as they shared a table of six. A few years later they started dating and were married in September 1957, while both were completing their final years of schooling. Vic completed his college education in February 1959, and without delay joined the Army. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Colorado, followed by an MBA from the University of Denver, and an Advanced Management Program (AMP) certification from Harvard University.

He served as an officer in the Army Corps of Engineers for two years, stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. After completing his service in the Army, he worked as a design engineer and special project manager overseeing classified products at Dow Chemical's Rocky Flats plant. Ultimately, he discovered his true calling at Ball Aerospace. The aerospace industry was in its early stages, and he contributed to some of the first NASA scientific satellites. He served as Program Manager for a project developing hardware for the first 20 Global Positioning Satellites, GPS—technology that has profoundly transformed the way we live. He also led the B-2 antenna program for several years. After retiring in 1998, he continued consulting at Ball from 2002 to 2012. In his final year before his second retirement, he helped negotiate Ball’s largest antenna program—providing tens of thousands of antennas for the F-35 Fighter.

Vic had a deep love for the Rocky Mountains, spending countless days fishing and sharing the experience with all of his children and grandchildren eager to join him. A true adventurer at heart, he and his wife Louise traveled the world embarking on unforgettable journeys—cycling the Garden Route through South Africa on their 50th wedding anniversary, exploring iconic destinations like Paris, Rome, Istanbul, Cape Town, and many others. Among their many adventures, the five-day Milford Trek in New Zealand remains an unforgettable highlight.

Their passion for travel extended to the open roads of North America as well. With their trusty Tiger camper, they crisscrossed the United States and Canada, embracing the spirit of exploration. Along the way they took part in major cycling events, including MS Rides, Ride the Rockies, and RAGBRAI—a seven-day, 400-mile ride across Iowa, which Vic completed an impressive eight times. His life was one of discovery, adventure, and a boundless enthusiasm for the great outdoors.

He is survived by his wife, Louise, of 67 years; four children: Kathie and husband Don Michie, Terri Powell, Jill Anderson, and David Durnell; 10 grandchildren: Sarah and Cole Hoover, Micaela and Seth Johnson, John and Gabrielle Powell, Daniel and Julia Rose, Caley and Ian Nugent-Head, Shane Powell and Adam Powell, Joseph and Leah Anderson, Amanda Anderson, Carrie Durnell, Abby Durnell; seven great-grandchildren: Marleia, Jon, Anderson, and Evie Hoover, Oz and Wesley Johnson, and Clara Anderson.

Please consider giving a donation to Giving It Back To Kids - In Memory of Vic Durnell.  GIBTK’s is a Non-Government Organization that Vic really loved and supported the last 15 years.