La Plata County man found dead Thursday

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A 66-year-old man was found dead Thursday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Chris Burke said deputies received a call around 11:30 a.m. Thursday from a person who went to check on his friend. The person found the friend, who lives near County Road 220, dead in the bedroom from a gunshot wound.

The man was identified as Kent Freese. Next of kin has been notified, Burke said.

Burke said an autopsy would be performed Friday in Grand Junction.

Steve Swisher, who for years was a manager and partner with Brown’s Shoe Fit Co., said he met Freese when they were 3 years old, and the two grew up together in Atlantic, Iowa.

Freese moved to Durango in April 1980, and Swisher wasn’t that far behind, moving here in July 1980.

Swisher and Freese then became members of Brown’s Shoe Fit, which was founded in 1977.

Freese was a managing partner at Brown’s Shoe Fit from 1985 to 1995 and continued to work there until Monday.

Swisher said Freese loved to camp, hike and travel around the Four Corners.

“Kent had a wicked sense of humor, and he was a very creative individual,” Swisher said. “He brought great work ethic and great ideas to the business on a continual basis.”

Freese did not have family in the area and was never married or had kids, Swisher said. But he had deep ties in Durango.

“He was a really caring and loving individual to many, many people throughout the community,” Swisher said. “He had some really deep friendships. There were a lot of people that cared about him.”

jromeo@durangoherald.com

This story has been updated after incorrect information was given to The Durango Herald.