Ira Kaplan

Ira Kaplan was born in Newark, New Jersey, on April 5th, 1949. the first child to first generation Jewish parents, Edward Kaplan (1910-1970), a veteran and bicycle repairman, and Hannah Weisz (1921-2005), a seamstress. Ira had a younger sister Linda Susan Kaplan (1953-2011).

Ira was an avid surfer, guitarist, botanist, downhill skier, Porsche racer, and ordained minister. Ira was also an entrepreneur, rarely working for others, and ran a CCTV television installation business, a hemp and CBD based bath and body products shop, a medical marijuana growing operation, and was a dog breeder. Ira was a stubborn complainer and activist when he thought something was not fair, but also fun, loving, loved a good joke, had the gift of gab, and was a generous friend. Ira’s dogs were his best friends. Ira had a green thumb and wouldn’t hesitate to share his knowledge. Ira was musically talented, and in the 1970s, Ira toured with a jazz band playing guitar, which brought him to Grand Junction.

Ira leaves behind a son Guy Walker, a daughter, Kasea Reid, her husband Johnny, grandchildren Tanner, Corbin, Tatum, and Eirely, step-grandchildren Kendra and Cannon, a niece, Andrea Reynolds, and three dogs Toby, Athena, and Max.

Ira lost his years long battle with cancer on Friday, June 17th, 2022.

May Ira’s musical gifts and love for people be passed on to generations to come!