Homer Robert Mundell of Walsh, the eldest son of Robert Felix and Helen Clada (Dunlap) Mundell, was born February 8, 1947 in Lamar. His life ended tragically April 2, 2011 after an accident at his ranch northeast of Walsh. He was 64.

Homer attended elementary schools at Bartlett, three miles from his home, and at Walsh. He graduated from Walsh High School in 1965 and continued his education at the University of Colorado, Boulder where he received his degree from the CU School of Business in 1969.

Uniquely qualified as a cattle rancher, Homer worked at a feedlot near Happy, Texas after graduating from CU and before joining the Production Credit Association of Colorado, an agriculture loan organization. His degree in accounting and his ranch family background added substance to his hands-on experience in cattle production. It was his passion as well as his life's work.

Homer's Production Credit assignments were in Colorado Springs, Burlington and Sterling. While working in Burlington he met Sandra Smit of Vona, the daughter of Harry and Ruby Smit, Angus producers near Vona. The two shared many of the same interests, including enthusiasm for ranch life. Their marriage on July 8, 1978 began a solid partnership that lasted until Homer's death.

Homer and Sandy began the basis for their Angus cow herd on farm and ranch property they acquired near Sterling. Both sons, Justin and Clint, were born during their years there. In 1996 the family moved to the original Mundell Ranch of Bear Creek northeast of Walsh where Homer was reared.

Over the years Homer has been a serious student of genetics and bloodlines, carefully selecting herd sires for their commercial Angus operation. Together he and Sandy have built a quality herd that has received special recognition through the Angus Source Program of the American Angus Association.

Homer served as a director of the Southern Colorado Livestock Association and was a member of the Colorado Independent Cattle Growers Association and R-Calf USA. He strongly supported R-Calf USA activities and programs as well as the Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition.

Motivations along the way included a love for the Lord and for his family, as well as a determination to do things right the first time. Homer was conscientious in planning and in the execution of his plans. And he was proud of his family being selected as Ranch Family of the Year at the Baca County Fair Ranch Rodeo in 2009.

Homer's parents, his father-in-law and brother-in-law, preceded him in death. Surviving are his wife, Sandy; sons, Justin and his wife, Desirae (Gourley) of Springfield, and Clint and his wife, Lauren (Hibbard) of Liberal, Kansas; three grandchildren, Reece, Grady and Cooper Mundell of Springfield; mother-in-law, Ruby Smit, Walsh; two brothers, David Mundell of Dover, Idaho and Dan Mundell of Lakewood; a nephew, Jacob Mundell, Savannah, Georgia; aunts, Jane Mundell and Marge Hale of Walsh, and Bennie Lou Kashuda of Forked River, New Jersey; and many Mundell, Dunlap and Herbert cousins.