F. Jim Labrenz

Frank Jim LaBrenz passed away peacefully, surrounded by family members, on September 27, after several years of declining health. He died just three days before his 93rd birthday, a long life well lived. At his request, no services are planned.

Jim was born September 30, 1925, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Walter LaBrenz and Martina Sporte LaBrenz, the second of their three sons. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Bob, and is survived by his older brother Clyde of Grand Rapids.

Jim served in the Army Air Corps during World War II, trained as an aviation navigator. After the war, he attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, graduating in 1949. On May 31, 1949, he married Grace Grove, who survives him. They were married for 69 years.

Jim and Grace moved to Colorado in 1949 on the advice of doctors who thought the dry climate would help to alleviate his asthma. It did. Their first child, James Michael, was born in Denver in 1950. In 1952 the family moved to Grand Junction, where children Tina, David, and Jana were born. David died in infancy in 1956.

Jim worked in finance and car sales throughout his professional life, not fully retiring until age 87, when he suffered a health crisis while on the job. In his younger years, he was an avid fisherman and he enjoyed exploring the west on Jeep trails and on rockhounding expeditions. Jim was well known for his fine sense of humor and rich baritone singing voice. He was a consistently generous, considerate, accepting and supportive son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and father-in-law. His advice and companionship--even his oft-repeated jokes--will be greatly missed.

In addition to his wife Grace, Jim is survived by son Mike (Carol) LaBrenz of Grand Junction, daughter Tina (Carl) Chan of Grand Junction, a daughter Jana (Tim) VanDam of Churchill, Montana. His nine grandchildren: David (Brittany), Ann, and Colleen LaBrenz; Janna, Michael (Mari), and Gloria (Regina) Chan; and Jake (Jackie) VanDam, Beth (Cody) VanDam Meendering, and Becca (James) VanDam Boer will all miss Grandpa Jim, as will Jim’s six great-grandchildren: Emma, Audrey, and Claire LaBrenz and James, Nadine, and Noah VanDam.

Condolences can be sent to PO Box 4143, Grand Junction, Colorado, 81502. Please feel free to contribute to HopeWest Hospice or the charity of your choice in Jim’s memory.