Obituary: Don Lemos

March 18, 1938 – December 10, 2023

Don (Donald) Michael Lemos passed peacefully in his sleep on December 10, 2023 at Roaring Fork Senior Living in Glenwood Springs, CO. He was 85 years old. His family was together and near him.
Don was born in New York City on March 18, 1938. When he was very young, and living in NYC, he said he wanted to be a farmer. In his 20’s he fell in love with skiing and in 1959 he moved to Aspen. So passionate for skiing, he went on to become US and French ski instructor certified. One of his greatest legacies: “DON LEMOS: UNDERGROUND INSTRUCTOR”; was, during the dozen years in Aspen from 1968-1980, when Don Lemos, a single instructor in town, a fervent partisan for ‘independent ski instruction’ as well as one of Aspen’s busiest private instructors, became a thorn in the side of the Aspen Skiing Company. He tried to sue the Aspen Skiing Company for the right to teach skiing underground – and lost. The legal battle continued for years, making its way to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, where Don lost again. He was relentless- and never failed to meet his student – even if it meant he had to show up in disguise and meet his students in the trees of the ski mountain. He was ‘WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE’ in the small town of Aspen, arrested for ‘trespassing’, and taken to jail. Eventually, in 1980, Ski Co invited Don to join forces with them, where he taught skiing for them into his later years. He was a member of PSIA for 55 years, in addition to serving in the Coast Guard.
A true maverick with a huge heart, Don marched to the beat of his own drum and lived the life he always wanted to live. He bought a small farm along the river in Woody Creek, built a home with his own hands for his family, and spent his summers working around the house, on the farm and on the property; and spent his winters skiing and teaching skiing. Don was known for his clever wit, his wonderful sense of humor and his gifted way with words, often cracking jokes and bringing smiles to peoples’ faces, brightening their days. He loved to write poetry, share his deep wisdom about life and love, and speak/quack like Donald Duck.
Don truly was an amazing father and loving husband, married 54 years to Jeannie (now 83). He is survived by his loving wife Jeannie Lemos, devoted and adoring daughter Trishka Lemos of Aspen, wonderful son Joshua Lemos of Denver and Vail, beloved grandchildren Nicolas and Sasha Barlozzini, and caring sister Barbara Lemos of Burbank, CA.
He will be greatly missed. And always remembered. May he rest in peace. No service is scheduled at this time.