Jim was born at the Montrose Hospital on October 21, 1947. He died unexpectedly on July 31, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction. His parents were Clarence and Elsa Pickens, long-time residents of Olathe, Colorado. He was the youngest of four children and spent his youth helping his parents run storage cellars for the area’s onion farmers. He was active in Boy Scouts, Little League, and band. He graduated from Olathe High School in 1965. With a music scholarship, he attended Western State College in Gunnison, where he graduated with a B.A. in business administration. The Vietnam War required a lottery system to meet the draft requirements. Jim’s low number meant he had to prepare to serve. With friends from college, he joined the Army National Guard in Montrose and spent the next six years in training for possible deployment. He and his wife of nearly 55 years were married in Las Vegas in 1970 and settled in Grand Junction shortly thereafter. Jim worked most of his life in different Savings and Loan companies and as a Realtor. He retired after 20 years as an appraiser for Mesa County government. He was an amazing husband, father of two, and grandfather, and would do anything for his family. He could fix anything, given time, and he didn’t need permission to curse at whatever he was repairing. He and Terry loved hiking and covered many miles on the Colorado Monument and all the big national parks in the West. They had a travel trailer and particularly enjoyed camping at Ridgway Reservoir. Jim was known for his friendliness, kindness, and generosity. He will be missed by his many friends, the people he helped, and those he met while walking the dirt roads of Matchett Field. More recently, he and Terry walked daily at Canyon View Park with their little dog, Missy. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Ruth, June, and Alice. He is survived by his wife, son Christopher, daughter-in-law Mary, and grandson Damon, of Grand Junction, as well as daughter Katie, an artist living in Breckenridge. At his request, there will be no services.

January 9, 1929 - July 27, 2026 Rose Ward entered the Kingdom of Heaven on July 27th. She passed peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Born Vartoni Torosian on January 9,1929, she was raised in Racine, Wisconsin. She was one of eight children born to Manam and Azar Torosian, Armenian Christians who made their lives in the United States after fleeing the Armenian genocide.They were a large family in a small home that was filled with love and laughter. Rose was the first of her family to go to college, attending nursing school in Chicago where she met a handsome young medical student from Idaho named Bruce Ward. They married six months later and eventually moved to Grand Junction, Colorado and raised a family. In Grand Junction, she worked as a nurse for many years at St. Mary's Hospital. She also enjoyed Saturday Nighters, book club, and her long-time bridge group. She was an active member of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church whose parishioners welcomed her and her husband and provided a spiritual home for her family. Rose's enjoyment in her family was evident in her tireless work to create a beautiful home and life for those she loved. She was an avid gardener, an accomplished cook and a gracious host. Her family remembers her not only as a devoted mother, but as a true comedian. She. brought levity to any situation, always making a silly face at the dinner table or poking light-hearted fun. She laughed with abandon. She loved her grandchildren, played a mean game of Go Fish, and made the best mac and cheese. Rose believed strongly in education and, a prolific reader herself, encouraged her children to buy as many books as they wanted from the scholastic book-order form. She taught her children and grandchildren to study diligently, urging them to take advantage of every educational opportunity. Rose loved to sing and dance and noticed beauty at every turn. She taught us all to appreciate a good piece of bread, a pretty flower, or a fresh cup of coffee. May we all remember Rose when these simple blessings come our way. Rose is survived by her three children, Karen, Mimi (Brad), Bruce (Christy), her grandchildren Wilson, Whitaker, Nola Rose, Carver, Raglan and Levi, and her siblings Nora Soens, George Torosian and Alice O'Brien. Services will be held at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church 3585 N 12 th St. in Grand Junction, with a Trisagion service on Monday, August 17 at 6pm (viewing starting at 5pm) and the Funeral Service on Tuesday, August 18 at 10am. May her memory be eternal.

December 21, 1939 - August 6, 2026 Lance was born in Madison, Wisconsin to Spencer William Oswald and Lillian Burger Oswald on December 21,1939 and passed into the Great Mystery on August 6, 2026. Who was this wonderful, compassionate human being that we called Dad, husband, brother, son and friend? He was a deep thinker and lifelong learner, a spiritual seeker and peace activist. He was a lover of music and nature, a skier, hiker, camper, fisherman, swimmer and cyclist. A fixer of all things and a whiz at puns and dad jokes. He loved singing and acting in plays at Mesa College, now CMU. He worked as a counselor at various colleges and later owned and operated Better Books and Teaching Aids. A true Renaissance man. Lance, you lived your one wild and precious life to the fullest. Thanks for teaching us all how to live our best lives. Lance is survived by his wife Peg, his daughter Alyssa and his son Aaron. A celebration of life will be held on August 22nd at 2:00pm at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley at 536 Ouray Avenue. Memorial gifts may be made to Grand Valley Peace and Justice or the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley.

Mary Pollard, 77 of Fruita, Colorado, passed away on July 06, 2026 at HopeWest Hospice in Grand Junction.

January 10, 1961 - July 26, 2026 It is with great sadness that the family of Timothy Joseph Brown announces his passing on July 26, 2026 after a brief and fierce bout with cancer.The day he was diagnosed with cancer, he said all he felt was gratitude. Gratitude for the life he was given. Gratitude for his parents, brothers, and the family he was raised in. Gratitude for finding Cheryl, his wife of almost 40 years and the life they shared. Gratitude for his four amazing sons and their families. And above all else, gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Lord. He maintained that sense of gratitude throughout his 4 1/2 week battle before the Lord called him home. Timothy was born the middle child of Don Brown and Norma Brown (Black) on January 10, 1961 in Colorado Springs. He later attended Lewis Palmer High School where he excelled in Wrestling and Football. A fisher of men, Tim led many people to Jesus Christ through his ministry in Colorado and New Mexico. He was a pastor for 28 years. He traveled to Africa, Russia, and Guatemala to train pastors and minister. He continued serving his community in Colorado where he worked with veterans, children, and anyone else who happened into his path. He is preceded in his journey to the Lord by his mother and father and baby sister Brenda. His memory lives on through his beloved wife, Cheryl Brown (Mallett), his sons Timothy, Isaac, Caleb, and Joel, his daughter-in-laws Dale, Mandy, and Marina, as well as his brothers Don and Jeff, and his nine grandchildren, as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins. A memorial service will be held at Canyon View Vineyard Church's Chapel at 736 24 1/2 Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81505 on August 22nd at 2:00 PM.

1.21.1934 - 8.04.2026 Mary Lou Hoppe was born on January 21, 1934 to Jared and Maude Phelps in Abilene Kansas. She was the youngest of eight children. Her parents and all of her siblings precede her in death.Mary married Vernon Watson in October of 1950. Mary dropped out of high school to become a wife and mother. They had three children... Costa, Larry, and Vernetta. In their early marriage, Mary and Vernon traveled to different job sites around Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. They finally tired of traveling life and settled their family in Mack, Colorado. In October of 1963 Vernon was killed in a motorcycle accident. Having a strong work ethic and three young children depending on her, Mary sold the house in Mack, finished her high school diploma, and graduated from the first stenographic class offered at Mesa College. She was then hired as the office attendant at Fruita Junior / Senior High School, where she worked for the next few years. In May of 1970, Mary married Frank Hoppe. He was a truck driver and together they spent many years moving job sites and working road construction. At many of the job sites Mary worked as a flagger and even drove a dump truck for a time. Mary also worked as an office assistant in many of the towns they moved to. No matter where she moved, Mary would find a church to attend. She loved Jesus and lead many Bible studies. She was out-going and made friends everywhere she went. Many of these people remained her friends for life. Mary was a fierce prayer warrior and prayed for family and friends daily. If you crossed Mary's path you can be assured you have been prayed for. In addition to her parents, siblings and both husbands, Mary is preceded in death by daughter (Costa Bourg), son-in-law (Rich Bourg), great-granddaughter (Jacinda Bourg) and great-grandson (Garrett Abbott). She is survived by her son (Larry Watson), daughter (Vernetta Edwards), six grandkids, sixteen great-grandkids and six great-great grandkids. A memorial service for Mary will be held on August 19, 2026 at 10:00 am at Martin's Mortuary, 550 North Avenue, Grand Junction, Colorado 81501.