Byron Blecha

Obituary

Pastor Byron A. Blecha, 98, of Grand Junction, passed away August 3, 2016.

Born August 19, 1917 in Wellington, KS to Edmund and Dayse (Plumleigh) Blecha.  Ordained as a minister of the Seventh-day Adventist church in 1949 and retired in 1989.  Moved to the Western Slope in 1978 and pastored churches in Grand Junction, Rifle, and Glenwood Springs.  In retirement he preached often at the Fruita and Palisade churches.  Active member of Palisade Seventh-day Adventist Church.  Byron placed the highest value on his relationships with God, family, and friends.  He was passionate about the work of spreading the Good News of God’s love and free salvation.  He was an avid gardener and took pleasure in cultivation and harvest wherever space allowed.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Myrtle L. (Lusk) Blecha; sister, Phyllis J. Blecha, Denver, CO; daughters, Arlene J. Hagensicker, Overland Park, KS, and Marilyn K. (Jeff) Emery, Niles, MI; son Edmund A. (Diane) Blecha, Grand Junction, CO; grandchildren, Shasta (Greg) Nelson, San Francisco, CA, Kerry (Mike) Pate, Tampa, FL, Travis Hagensicker, Overland Park, KS, Tiffany Blecha, Grand Junction, CO, Katrina (Jesse) Emery, Portland, OR, Dustin (Autumn) Blecha, Grand Junction, CO; great-grandchildren, Naomi and Myles Pate, Bryson Blecha, Edda Emery.  Preceded in death by parents; brothers, Maurice Blecha, Dallas Blecha; sisters, Helen Bridges, Marie Johnson.

Memorial Service:  3:30 p.m. Saturday, September 10, 2016, Brown’s Funeral Service, 904 N 7th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501.  Visitation to follow service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Intermountain Adventist Academy, 1704 N 8th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501 or to Hospice at Hope West, 3090 N 12th Street, Unit B, Grand Junction, CO 81506.