Andrew "Dan" Watson Armour IV

Andrew Watson Armour IV, known to all as Dan, 84, of Jackson, Wyoming, passed away on July 26, surrounded by his family, after a five-year journey with dementia that never dimmed his humor, kindness, or gratitude.

A natural collector of people, Dan made friends wherever he went and kept them for life. He built a brotherhood that stretched across states, sports, and decades. He was happiest with family and friends, whether golfing, skiing, or fishing in California, Colorado, Wyoming, Arizona, the Bahamas, or Argentina. Always on the move, with his unmistakable swagger and great big smile, Dan was aman of integrity and warmth who never had an unkind word to say about anyone.

Dan grew up in Lake Forest, Illinois, and attended St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Massachusetts, where he played football, hockey, and baseball and, according to him, occasionally studied. He cherished his years there and the lifelong friendships he made. He went on to Choate Rosemary Hall for a postgraduate year to play hockey, then attended Boston University.

After graduation, Dan joined the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic, working on rural community development projects and falling in love with the language, music, and culture. His fluency in Spanish and affection for the Dominican Republic stayed with him throughout his life. He loved merengue and, even in his final days, continued speaking Spanish, endearingly asking his caregivers to call him “Danielito.”

Following the Peace Corps, Dan earned a master’s degree in business from the University of Chicago before moving to Washington, D.C., to work for the State Department. It was there that he met the love of his life, Mary. They were married in a small family wedding at Mary’s sister’s home in Maryland and later settled in Rowley, Massachusetts where he became an entrepreneur.

Dan was an adventurer at heart, drawn to mountains, streams, and the ocean. As a young man, hewas an avid kayaker, fisherman, and skier. He invested in a growing ski company called Trak, where the team patented the fish-scale pattern on cross-country skis. The company later merged with Olin Ski Company, a fitting chapter for a man who was, by all accounts, a beautiful skier and never happier than when he was in the mountains.

That love of the mountains eventually drew Dan and Mary west. They settled in Colorado Springs, where they spent more than 20 years raising their daughters, Molly and Jean, and building a vibrant, joy-filled life surrounded by a beloved community. Dan was a devoted friend and neighbor. He loved his mornings on the golf course and could often be heard laughing with friends in the member’s lounge. He also gave generously of his time and support to organizations including the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, the Fine Arts Center, and Fountain Valley School. Dan shared his love of the outdoors with his daughters. They spent weekends skiing in Summit County and summers hiking and fishing. Fly-fishing was one of his great passions. His daughters remember his fishing gear always waiting by the front door, ready for the moments when the housebecame full of “girl drama” and he would good-naturedly announce, “I’m going fishing!” before slipping away to the South Platte for a little respite. For many years, he made annual pilgrimages to the flats of the Bahamas or to an estancia in Argentina, often accompanied by Mary, his brother-in-law, a dear friend, or a devoted cousin.

Dan was an avid golfer, fortunate to have played on some of the most beautiful courses in the world. A competitor at heart, he never missed a chance to play in a member-guest with a friend or a father-son tournament with his son-in-law at his favorite course in California. For more than 40 years, Dan and Mary spent much of the winter in Arizona, golfing, riding horses, and enjoying the close-knit community of friends they found in Wickenburg.

Mary and Dan moved to Wilson, Wyoming, in 2009 after the birth of their first grandchild, drawn by the chance to be closer to their daughters and growing family. Family was the center of Dan’s life, and he was a constant, loving presence for his daughters and grandchildren. He was their biggest fan at sporting events, in academic pursuits, and around the dinner table, where he always had a trick or game ready. A family favorite was his ability to hang a spoon from the end of his nose for an impressively long time; somehow, he always seemed to win.

“Play well” was how Dan often said goodbye to his grandchildren. In his final days, when told to play well, he answered, “I will.” Dan will be remembered for his kindness and his humility. As his daughters said, “Dad was a beacon of humor and love; a supportive father, a joyful friend, and our mom’s devoted partner for more than 50 years. We are profoundly grateful for his laughter and his open heart and so blessed to have been his children. He never met a stranger he could not befriend, never judged, and never had an unkind word for anyone. His warmth, wit, and wide-open embrace of life will live on through us all.”

Mary, Molly, and Jean are deeply grateful to the many people who have reached out, shared stories, and loved Dan so well. They also extend heartfelt thanks to his devoted caregivers, whose compassion and tenderness brought comfort throughout his decline.

Dan is survived by his wife of more than 50 years, Mary; his daughters, Molly and Jean; and his six grandchildren, all of whom adored him. A Celebration of Life will be held this fall in Colorado Springs. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Trout Unlimited, Climb Wyoming, or the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.