Donald Oellien

Donald William Oellien died on August 3, 2022, of natural causes at the age 90 years old. He passed at home with his immediate family present. Big D, as he was called by family and close friends, was born in Monte Vista, Colorado, the only son of 4 children of Bill and Opal Oellien. He is survived by his sister Corda. Don was a 4 year, 4 sport (football, basketball, track, and baseball) varsity letterman in highschool, making the Colorado all state football and basketball team in his Junior and Senior years. He was a Korean War Veteran and graduated from the University of Denver with degrees in Construction Management and Architecture. He was one of the original 6 employees hired by Dale Bellamah and helped to establish the company’s success throughout the Southwest. Big D moved the family with him as he established construction operations in Albuquerque and Roswell, New Mexico, Brownwood and El Paso Texas, Las Vegas, Nevada, finally settling in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Big D was responsible and oversaw the construction of over 3000 single family homes, countless shopping centers, and professional buildings while with Bellamah. He helped to establish the Santa Fe chapter of the National Homebuilder Association and served as it’s first chapter president. He formed DW Oellien Construction Company as a Design/Build firm in the mid 70’s as a family business with all four of his children participating. Big D is survived by his wife of 68 years Roberta, children, James, Dow, Lynnda and Richard, daughters-in-law PJ and Kristie, grandchildren Kimberly, Stephanie, JC, Wylee and Bode. Big D was an outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing; he was a scratch golfer but first and foremost he was a loving husband and father. The family will have a private memorial service and any monetary gift or donation can be made to “The Federation for the Blind”. https://nfb.org/contribute/give200 East Wells Street at Jernigan PlaceBaltimore, Maryland 21230