John Eugene Brach

John was born on November 20, 1948 to Louis R and Betty M Brach at the old St. Mary’s Hospital on Colorado Ave., in Grand Junction, Colorado. He passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully in his sleep on October 22, 2024.  

John attended Tope Elementary, Grand Junction Junior High and graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1967. He then attended Western State College (now Western Colorado University) in Gunnison. He majored in history and education and graduated early in 1971 with a teaching certificate and a BA in history. Since he graduated two quarters early, he decided to start another major. In 1972 he earned a Masters in Special Education. He later got a Doctorate in Education Administration. 

At a young age, John worked at Brach’s Market. His apron came down to his shins and he had to stand on a box to reach the cash register. He continued to work at the store when not in college. He managed the store when mom and dad would take off on their fishing expeditions. He got his 1st teaching job at the Whiteriver Elementary School, to teach special education. The school is located on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, now the White Mountain Apache Reservation, Arizona. 

John taught special education to older students. He had 15 students in his first class. Three of the students did not speak English at all. He also taught 6th grade, was an elementary principal, a junior high principal and finally a high school counselor. He thoroughly loved being at Whiteriver and was well revered by the community. 

In 1999, John retired from teaching after 27 years to return to Grand Junction to help his parents. He became manager of Brach’s Enterprises, helped dad with his orchard and garden and helped mom with canning and preserving. Dad died the next year and John had a house built next to mom’s which made it possible for her to stay in her home for the next 16 years. During that time, Brach’s Enterprises was sold and John turned his attention to expanding the orchard and garden, planting things that shouldn’t grow in Colorado, like English walnuts, pecans, figs, persimmons, pomegranates and sweet potatoes. 

John always tried to help people. He would be the first one to say he was a “soft touch” and many, many people took advantage of that, but he would keep trying. There are countless people that are grateful for his help and guidance. 

John loved to read. At an early age he would drive us nuts reading the cereal boxes at breakfast. You couldn’t keep him from reading every sign and billboard on road trips. It wasn’t unusual to see that he was reading 2 or 3 books at a time. 

He had a passion for history which led him into genealogy. His research took him all over the US, finding information about relatives. His quest for family origins took him to the British Isles, Italy and Lithuania. His research gathered information about the family back as far as the 1500-1600’s.  

He then turned his attention to castles and cathedrals of Europe. He moved on to ancient sites of the world which took him to China, India, Greece, Italy, Turkey, Jordon, Egypt, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Yucatan, and Peru. He’d hire private guides, which allowed access to places most people don’t get to see. 

John was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Betty. He is survived by his brothers Michael and David (Ann), his sister Dianna Beltz (Robert), four nephews Michael Jr, Douglas, John and Anthony and many great nephews and nieces.

A private family gathering has been planned for next summer. Rest in Peace John Brach.