The Crow Canyon Archaeological Center will host a public celebration of life for trustee David Fraley on Friday from 4-7 p.m. at 23390 Road K in Cortez.

He died Aug. 31 at age 63.

Fraley, vice chairman of the center’s Board of Trustees, was set to become the chairman at the annual meeting in October, Crow Canyon media specialist Jason Vaughn said Wednesday in a press release.

Fraley joined the Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Board of Trustees in 2011.

“David started visiting Crow Canyon’s excavations long before he joined the board, and it was his interest in our mission that led him to eventually join the board,” Mark Varien, Ph.D., executive vice president of the Research Institute at Crow Canyon, said in the press release. “David was generous by nature, and we were lucky that service to his community included Crow Canyon.”

“David was straightforward and respectful in his dealings with everyone. He was extremely well-read. He had common sense, but was also highly intellectual and that allowed him to understand and appreciate the complexities of the world,” said Varien. “David not only loved the human past, he believed understanding the past was critical for creating a better future for humanity.”

Board chairman Bruce Milne remembered Fraley as someone who never shied away from hard work.

“Dave was a true selfless servant willing to roll up his sleeves and do whatever needed to be done. He understood the importance of the work and our fiduciary responsibilities as trustees, and he worked tirelessly to make sure we were doing everything possible to support our staff,” said Milne.

Crow Canyon President and CEO Liz Perry said Fraley was deeply admired and respected by her and all of Crow Canyon’s employees.

“David was a true friend and professional partner,” said Perry.

“He and I have been working together very closely since I was selected as Crow Canyon’s new president nearly a year ago. His enthusiasm and ideas for the future of our organization were contagious – he made us feel hopeful and proud to have him as our leader on the board of trustees.”

According to his obituary, Fraley was born April 2, 1955, in Abilene, Texas, to Billy Jack and Alicia Fraley and “died in the mountains he loved, surrounded by some of his favorite people.”

Fraley is survived by his wife, Kristine, of Cortez; his four children, Rebecca Fraley (Matt Shethar) of Lewis; Aeron Clason (Sean) of Cortez; Kayla Acott of Seattle; and Tell Acott of Camp Frank Merrill, Georgia.

Also surviving Fraley are his two brothers, Richard Fraley (Jeanette) of Golden, and Joel Fraley (Michele) of Portland, Oregon, as well as a niece and two nephews, two grand-dogs, numerous guitars and many good friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in his name to Crow Canyon Archaeological Center.