Michael D Donelson

August 16, 1954 — October 1, 2026

Rocky Ford

 

Obituary

Michael “Mike” Duane Donelson, born August 16, 1954, was the kind of man you could often recognize before you ever saw his face—by his cap, his ponytail, his overalls, and, quite often, a pair of Converse sneakers.

He was the son of Carrol and Milly Donelson and brother to Lynnie and J.D. He met the love of his life, Suzanne Scott, while working on a ranch in Hall, Montana. They were married on November 16, 1974, and shared 51 years of marriage. Together, they built a life centered around family, hard work, faith, and community.

Mike cherished Montana. He enjoyed fishing, spending time at the lake, and visiting with friends. Montana was truly his second home, a place where he made countless memories and enjoyed some of the things that brought him the most joy.

Mike was the proud father of Paul, Bethany, and Noah, and the beloved Abuelo to his grandchildren: Colette Suzanne, Avery Louise, Michael Keanu, Dax Mitchell, Jack Stephen, Kruz Michael, and Sael Milly.

The family loved that Mike gave everyone he cared about a special nickname—sometimes two. If Mike had a name for you, you knew you were special to him. Those nicknames were uniquely Mike: playful, affectionate, and often accompanied by a story. They are the kind of little things his family will treasure and carry with them forever.

He favored his overalls because they were comfortable and practical. Pink was one of his favorite colors. He was especially fond of his Converse sneakers—often pink, of course. Every December, he brought out his Christmas Converse, complete with little bells that announced his arrival before he ever said hello.

Mike treasured traveling with his wife, Suzanne. Most of their travels were centered around visiting their children and grandchildren, because being with family was always what mattered most to him. But every so often, Mike and Suzanne would gather the whole family together for those once-in-a-lifetime adventures—to places like Florida and Mexico. Those trips created memories that will be talked about, laughed about, and cherished for generations to come. For Mike, the destination was never as important as having the people he cared about most by his side.

Mike enjoyed going to the grocery store and preparing food for the next family get-together. While he was there, he would almost always pick up a newspaper. That newspaper could entertain him for hours. He enjoyed catching up on the news, reading the stories, and taking his time with it. It was just one of those simple things Mike genuinely enjoyed.

He had a special gift for bringing people together. Whether he was planning a meal, filling the kitchen with food, or simply making sure everyone had a place to sit and visit, Mike had a way of making everyone feel welcome and at home. He created a sense of togetherness that made ordinary gatherings feel special—and those moments around the table will be some of the memories his family treasures most.

Mike lived a life that was simple, purposeful, and true to who he was. He was humble, hardworking, kind, generous, and genuine. He never needed to make a big impression. He simply lived his life in a way that left a lasting impression.

A Family Legacy of Serving Others

Mike was the owner of Ark Valley Memorial and co-owned and operated Ustick Donelson Johnson Funeral Home alongside his partner, Larry Johnson. He was the fourth generation of the Ustick family to serve generations of families, helping them honor, remember, and say goodbye to the people they loved.

His son, Paul, worked alongside his father at Ark Valley Memorial for decades. Paul eventually acquired the business in an effort to help his dad ease into retirement, but anyone who knew Mike knew that retirement was never really in his plans. He continued to come to work every day, doing what he enjoyed and working side by side with his son.

Those years together meant more than just running a business. Paul learned the trade from his father, gaining not only the knowledge and skills that Mike had spent a lifetime developing, but also learning the importance of serving families with care, compassion, and respect. The two genuinely enjoyed working together, and their decades side by side created a bond and memories that will last far beyond the business itself.

Many other members of the family also contributed to the family business over the years. It was another place the family called home. Walking through the doors of the shop meant being surrounded by family, familiar faces, stories, and the work they shared together.

Mike valued the people who were part of the business. He cherished the relationships he built with his customers, the employees he worked alongside, and the many people he came to know through his relationships with other monument companies and funeral homes. These were not simply business relationships to Mike; they were friendships and connections that became part of his life.

A Lasting Legacy in Stone

Perhaps one of Mike’s greatest legacies was the work he did with memorial stones.

Mike carved countless memorial stones across Colorado. He would sit at gravesites and carefully mark the dates that represented the beginning and ending of a person’s life on earth. There was something deeply meaningful about that work. Every date represented a person who had once walked beside someone—a husband or wife, a mother or father, a son or daughter, a brother or sister.

Mike understood that a memorial stone was never simply a piece of stone with words carved into it. It was a lasting place for families to remember someone they cherished.

For generations of families, Mike helped create that lasting remembrance, including the monument at Soldier Stone, featured on CBS Mornings in the story “Mysterious Soldierstone.” The story can be viewed here: Watch “Mysterious Soldierstone” on YouTube.

He sat with people in their grief. He listened to their stories. He helped them navigate moments they never wanted to face. Through that work, Mike became part of the stories of countless families throughout Rocky Ford and across Colorado.

His hands did more than carve names and dates into stone. They helped families preserve memories, honor lives, and create something that would remain long after the pain of that first goodbye began to soften.

His Community and the Things He Enjoyed

Mike was an active member of the Koshares, Elks Lodge, United Methodist Church of Rocky Ford, and the Balloon Festival Committee. He cared deeply about Rocky Ford and the people who called it home.

He was an enthusiastic fan of the Denver Broncos, Meloneers, Glacier Wolfpack, and Montana Grizzlies. But some of his favorite cheering came from the stands, watching his daughter run cross-country and his boys play golf and basketball. He took tremendous pride in watching his grandchildren compete, grow, discover who they were, and find their own paths.

When it came to his family, Mike was always their biggest fan.

He was also the farmer doing his morning chores, the man at the post office visiting with everyone, the fisherman who cherished Montana and the lake, and the friend who could always make you laugh. These simple, everyday parts of Mike’s life were a reflection of who he was—someone who found joy in people, in work, in family, and in the ordinary moments that make up a life.

His Faith

Above all, Mike loved Jesus.

His faith gave him strength throughout his life and, especially, comfort in knowing that this life was not the end. He held tightly to the promise that one day he would be reunited with his family and with the loved ones who had gone before him.

That hope mattered deeply to Mike.

Now, his family, friends, and community will carry his memory forward.

They will remember:

The man in the overalls, with the cap and ponytail.The man who loved pink and his Converse sneakers.The proud Wolfpack fan celebrating a State Championship.The fisherman who cherished Montana, the lake, and time spent with friends.The farmer completing his morning chores while visiting with his neighbors.The man at the post office, visiting with everyone.The proud father watching his children raise their families.The Abuelo, “Bue,” who absolutely adored his grandchildren and always made them pull his finger for a good laugh.The man who always had a special nickname—sometimes two—for the people he cared about.The man who loved bringing everyone together around a table filled with good food.The friend who could always make you laugh.The businessman who showed up for families during some of the darkest days of their lives.

And most of all, they will remember a man who cherished family, cared deeply for community, and loved Jesus.

Mike was preceded in death by his beloved parents and extended family members.

He is survived by his wife, Suzanne; his children, Paul (Micah), Bethany (Joel), and Noah (Katie); his grandchildren, Michael and Dax Donelson, Jack, Kruz, and Sael Robinson, and Avery and Colette Donelson; his sister, Lynnie (Les); his brother, J.D.; his special aunt, Dee Strizich and many other extended family members.

His hands may no longer be carving stones, but the marks he left on this community—and on the hearts of the people he cared about—will remain for generations.

He spent a lifetime putting names and dates into stone so that others would never be forgotten.

And in our hearts, Mike Donelson will never be forgotten.

Rest easy, Mike—aka Dad, Buelo, Uncle Mike, Papacito, Dear, and sometimes, “Hey You!” Until we meet again.

Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

Bellwood Ustick Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.