Ron Jay Brennan
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5A Obituary - July 29, 2020
Ron Brennan
August 22, 1946 - July 22, 2020
Ronald Jay Brennan was born
August 22, 1946, and passed
away July 22, 2020, at the age of
73. Ron was born, raised, lived
and died in Grand Junction, CO,
leaving only for short periods of
time to complete his education
and for a short period time
when his employment with the
State of Colorado took him to
Durango, CO. Each time he left
Grand Junction, he returned, joking that he should have collected
a jar of dirt from the base of Mt. Garfield before leaving the valley.
In truth, Ron loved the Grand Valley and was happy to spend his
entire life here.
Ron married his sweetheart, Verla Marie Anderson, on September
27, 1963, in the Baptist Church in Palisade, CO. They were sealed
as husband and wife for time and all eternity in the Manti Utah
Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1965.
They remained married until his death; nearly 57 years of marriage.
He is survived by his beloved Verla; children, Teri Mattson
(Scott), Camille Wainwright (John), Luke Brennan, JD (Lisa),
and Brooks Brennan, MD (Amy); 12 grandchildren, and 16 greatgrandchildren.
Ron’s most enduring characteristic is that he loved his family
with all his heart. He cherished spending time with them. He lived
his life performing kind acts of service for his family; that service
included such things as showing up, without being asked and
without making his presence known to support a son and daughterin-law during the middle of the night, during a premature birth,
supporting his children in their activities and interests, helping his
family to reach their educational goals, and offering a kind word
and support, when needed, to make his children feel like the most
important person in the world; he always put his family’s needs and
wants ahead of his own. Maybe his greatest service was treating
each of his children as unique individuals and encouraging them to
honor and embrace that uniqueness.
His work ethic and fighting spirit were most remarkable; a
characteristic his family has strove to emulate. He grew up working
hard, and he loved wrestling, which he did until an injury forced him
away from that sport during high school. Education was important
to Ron. After graduating from Grand Junction High School in 1964,
he and Verla demonstrated that work ethic and fighting spirit to put
himself through school; beginning at Mesa College (Now CMU),
and then receiving a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Brigham
Young University, and finally a Master’s of Science degree from
Adams State University, all while raising a young family. Again
with the help of Verla he built a thriving vocational rehabilitation
business in Grand Junction, assisting thousands of people, across
multiple generations, and became well known as an expert witness
across a wide range of court cases. He taught his children to dream
big, to work hard, and to fight for all that they want out of life; and
that by doing so, and believing in themselves they have the ability
to accomplish anything.
During retirement Ron pursued a lifelong interest in pottery. In
typical fashion he worked hard to learn the craft and became a very
talented potter. He enjoyed his time at the Art Center for Western
Colorado where he learned his craft and made many decorative and
useful items for his family. A highlight for him was to spend time
in the pottery studio teaching and helping his grandchildren and
great-grandchildren to learn and experience his passion for pottery.
Cremation of the body has already taken place. Due to the
pandemic a private family memorial is planned, there will be no
public viewing or memorial service.
He touched many lives on this earth. He is loved and will be
missed by those he leaves behind.
The family is grateful to the health care providers and all the staff
at Colorado Canyons Hospital & Medical Center for the excellent
and loving care they gave Ron, and Verla, during the last days. They
will forever be remembered by Ron’s family.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to
The Art Center of Western Colorado, in Memory of Ron Brennan,
attention to Leo Borden (executive director), 1803 N. 7th St., Grand
Junction, CO 81501.
