Michael George Wells

Michael George Wells passed away on Sept. 7, 2025, at his home in Buena Vista, CO. Mike was born on Oct. 8, 1953, in Denver, CO, to Challen (Chuck) Hedges and Margaret Helen Wells. He was the youngest of three children. Mike grew up in North Denver and spent his school years active in the Boy Scout program. As a Boy Scout he achieved the rank of Eagle and was a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow where he was a member of the competitive dance team. On April 13, 1970, after having been selected to represent the Denver Area Council of Boy Scouts, he was present in Florida to watch the launch of Apollo 13. Mike graduated from North H.S. in Denver in 1971, and was accepted to Colorado Stat Univ. He graduated in 1976 with a B.S. in Mathematics and a secondary teaching certificate. An avid skier, Mike, took a job teaching skiing at Hidden Valley Ski area while in college. This led to many more years of teaching skiing there, then at Copper Mountain, and finally at Crested Butte. It was at Crested Butte that Mike had the distinctive honor of teaching then President Jimmy Carter's daughter, Amy, to ski over their Christmas breaks for 4 years. Out of ski season Mike spent time as a substitute teacher during the school year, and as a lifeguard and swim team coach, working at multiple pools and athletic clubs. It was at the pool that Mike met Jody Shaw. He adopted her newborn son, Daniel, shortly after birth and they were married on Aug. 26, 1983. His second son Marc soon followed to complete the family. When Mike started teaching full-time he was first hired at Wheatridge M.S. to teach math. He later transferred to Everett M.S. While there he earned his M.A. degree from the Univ. of Northern Colorado. During these years he continued to coach swimming teams. Mike ended his career of math teaching in 2006, at Bear Creek H.S., where he had helped to coach the H.S. swim team. He retired early to help take care of his parents. It was at this time that he took up jewelry making, a hobby that he continued to his death. Mike loved to give his creations away. In 2011, after the deaths of his parents Mike spent a number of years moving to Buena Vista, to the family property that he had inherited, and where he had spent so much time with his sons. He loved skiing, hiking, biking, and 4- wheeling in the surrounding area. He also spent many hours enjoying the hot springs or baking goodies to deliver to friends. As the social butterfly of the family, Mike knew no strangers. Scouting and Charlie, his blood brother introduced Mike to Native American culture. Mike embraced the culture in Buena Vista and loved going to and helping at the local sweats, going to Pow Wows and other Native cultural events.

Mike is preceded in death by his parents, Chuck and Margaret Wells, and his foster sister, Patty Pinkston. He is survived by his brother Rusty (Linda) Wells of Whitefish, MT; sister Nancy Wells of Norwood, CO; blood brother Charlie Salazar of Ocate, NM; sons Daniel (Elaine)Wells of Kimball. TN and Marc Wells of Denver, CO; grandson Shawn Wells of Denver; and his "boys" Matoska and Wapasum; as well as cousins and many, many friends. He loved greatly and was loved greatly and will be missed by all whose lives he touched.

Celebration of Mike's life will be on his property on Sat. Oct. 4, 2025, at 11 am, followed by a potluck meal. Bring your own chair, dress for the weather, take LOTS of pictures in his memory, and consider carpooling as parking is limited. This is a dog friendly event.