Dennis Gelarden, Donor Family

Caring for his family was most important to Dennis...

Dennis S. Gelarden passed away unexpectedly in April 2024 at the age of 65.

Dennis was born in San Francisco, CA to Woodrow (Woody) & Madonna (Donna) Gelarden on July 26, 1958. His father, Woody, served in the US Army for over 20 years which allowed Dennis, his siblings, and mother to live in Japan, France and Italy. They later settled down in Fruita, CO outside of Grand Junction, CO which is where Dennis really grew up and graduated from Fruita Monument High School, in addition to receiving his State Farmer Degree from Future Farmers of America (FFA). Dennis was raised with 2 brothers and 3 sisters: Brad, Nancy, Kimberly, Diana, and Chris. Dennis later met his future wife Carolyn in Grand Junction, CO in 1992 and later married on June 5, 1993. They have two sons: Ryan and Aaron. In 2005, they moved to Phoenix, AZ to continue to raise their family. Dennis worked in the Aerospace industry for over 31 years and graduated with his Bachelor’s of Science from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2014. Caring for his family was most important to Dennis, who was an incredible father to his 2 sons. In addition, his career, friends, animals, sports and Amateur Radio hobbies were very important to him.

He joins both his parents in heaven, Woody and Donna, sister Nancy, and brother Brad, who have already passed. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, two sons Ryan and Aaron of Litchfield Park, AZ, sisters Diana of Grand Junction, CO & Kimberly of Greely, CO, brother Chris of Arvada, CO, and his favorite schnauzer pup, Gino.