Alma Gene "Genie" Sapp

Alma Gene (Genie) Sapp was born in Cortez, Colorado on May 26, 1954. Although she was supposed to be a birthday present for her dad, as was her custom, she was one day late. This pattern seemed to follow her for the rest of her life. If you wanted Genie on time, you had to tell her to be there half an hour early. She gained her angel wings on July 6, 2023, after a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Genie was born to Philip L and Barbara A (Parks) Sapp. Genie was welcomed home by her big brother Lew. Those two soon became best friends, a bond that lasted to the end of her life.

Genie was also immensely proud of her heritage of being a 4^th generation on both sides of pioneer homesteaders above Lemon Lake and Upper Pine River/ Bayfield area. The tremendous love Genie had came from her family. Her Great Granddad George Wheeler was the first mayor of Bayfield.  When Genie was a teenager, her Granddad, PL Sapp showed her where his aunt hid him in the willows by the Animas River near Cedar Hill, New Mexico, when his mom was killed in an Indian attack. Her grandad was 8 years old at the time in 1893.

Although she hated being inside, she was an amazing cook and she loved to prepare and cook meals for family and friends, she loved to can and preserve all kinds of fruits and vegetables.

Genie attended school in Cortez and graduated from MCHS class of 1972.

Being a farm girl, cattle and horses were always a part of who she was.

Her work included dietary aide at Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez, after which she attended San Juan Basin Vocational Technical School. She then worked at Citizen State Bank as a teller. Next was at Production Credit Association (which provided financial assistance to Farmers and Ranchers) in Cortez, Gunnison, and Montrose. Next stop was a legal Secretary for Mr. Miller in Montrose.

In the late 1980’s when her dad was fighting cancer, Genie moved to Durango to be closer to the family. She again was a legal secretary for a time. Next stop was Burns National Bank followed by legal secretary, then caregiver for her mom.

The last step in her career was the lead civil processor for the La Plata County Sheriff's Department.

In addition, Genie loved rodeo and she loved to dance.

Through all her work, Genie’s love was still with the western way of life and helping young people. She served on the Advisory board for FFA in Gunnison, Montrose, and Durango. The impact she had on young men and women was immeasurable.

For many years Genie was timer for various rodeos in the area including Cal JR, Fiesta Days, Ute Mountain High School, and many others. Her final 25-30 years were spent helping organize and time the 4 states Junior Rodeo series.

Genie liked solitude but she loved to be with friends and loved watching her “kids” grow in confidence and skill as they progressed through Rodeo, FFA or 4H.

Anyone who was a cowboy was put on the top shelf as far as she was concerned. It seemed no matter where she went, someone considered her a friend.

Genie’s love of God was instilled in her from an incredibly early age by her family. She went 40 years without a church but her faith and trust in God never faltered. Around 9 years ago, she began attending Durango’s Cowboy Church and her love of God grew more. Over the last 16 months while she was in the battle for her life, this love and faith in God never left her and she took every opportunity to praise God for everything he was doing in her life during this journey.

Genie is survived by her brother Lew, Sister in Love Ginger, Nieces Terra and Tamis Sapp, her special son, Blake Wright, and her ever faithful Corgi Daisy, many cousins and many, many friends as evidenced by the chair project. She is also survived by Special Sisters Terry McComb, Liz Tozer, and Jackie Doyle.

A memorial service will be held July 29^th, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Durango's Cowboy Church, 1867 Colorado Highway 172, Durango CO 81303.

A memorial fund has been set up in Genie’s name at Dolores State Bank in Cortez, CO 81321.