Joe Ulibarri

Joe A. Ulibarri: February 21, 1931-December 28, 2019
Grand Junction native and entrepreneur Joe Ulibarri died peacefully at St. Mary’s Hospital
Saturday evening, December 28, 2019.  He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (Brown) Ulibarri; and
his adult children Keith Ulibarri, Rhonda (Ulibarri) Riggle, and Lex Ulibarri.
Joe grew up in the Riverside neighborhood on Chuluota Avenue, the only son in a family with
four daughters. With his father often gone working the sheep ranches in the nearby mountains,
Joe enjoyed a tight-knit family with his mother and sisters where he was the center of attention
and the default male of the house.  This familial support would serve him well through life,
providing him a capacity to take care of himself and others, and more importantly, to act on
and follow his dreams.
After graduating from Grand Junction High School, Joe had already found his life partner, the
beautiful Dorothy Brown.  Joe began working as an apprentice at Roberts Electric on 1 st Street.
He then decided to join the Navy and was stationed in California where their first child, Keith,
was born.  After serving in the Navy and returning to Grand Junction, he returned to Roberts
Electric. Joe flourished in the work and management of the business, eventually buying it.
As his company grew, so did Joe’s young family.  Their second child, Rhonda, arrived, and a
third soon followed, Lex.  The prospering family made their home off of F Road on 27.5 Road,
where they lived for nearly 30 years.
Both Joe and Dorothy enjoyed flying their private plane, traveling, motorcycle touring, camping,
fishing, and boating at Lake Powell.  While Dorothy finished her degree and became a teacher,
Joe continued to grow the business, eventually moving to larger facilities on Pitkin Avenue.  Joe
retired and sold Roberts Electric in 1995, and it became Rocky Mountain Motors.
Dorothy and Joe were members of the Seventh-day Adventist church and community.  Sharing
faith with Dorothy was welcomed support for Joe later in life. Continuing their active life until
recently, he and Dorothy would go weekend camping in their trailer.
He will be remembered for his charisma and energy as he was always willing to explore and try
new things. Joe was an example of living life fully and courageously.  He will be greatly missed.
Services will be held to place his ashes at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Riverside
Parkway, Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at 1:00 P.M.