Patrick Duane Marah

Patrick Duane Marah (97) passed away on February 2, 2024, at his home in Cedaredge, Colorado. He was born in Cedaredge, Colorado, on December 26, 1926, to Joseph Patrick and Mary Jane (Goodwin) Marah.

Pat spent much of his youth on Grand Mesa where he developed his love of the outdoors. He worked with his family during summers in their commercial trout farming business at Big and Little Battlement Reservoirs until the death of his father. After graduating from Cedaredge High School in 1945, Pat worked various jobs including turning water as a Deputy State Water Commissioner for the Colorado State Engineers Office first at his beloved Granby string then from his home base at the Trickle Park cabin for the Park String of reservoirs. Pat was a horseman and during the summer season traversed the mountain on Mico with his trusted dog Smokey. The love of dogs and horses never left him and has been passed down to his son Doug and Doug's children.

In April of 1.955 while attending a Rook card party, Pat met Gwen Simmons, a California girl who was visiting her grandmother. Later, Gwen's aunt, Bobbie Broome invited Gwen on an outing on Grand Mesa with Pat and some of their friends. Pat transported the group to a cabin via his snowcat, which he had built from a Cletrac tracked tractor.  Although Gwen said she had never been so cold as she was on that outing, the Colorado cowboy and the California girl were soon an item. What was supposed to be a week-long trip to Colorado turned into a life-long commitment. Gwen and Pat were married on September 3, 1955, and eventually welcomed three children-Doug, Marta, and Mary. Pat and Gwen blessed their children with countless adventures of fishing, hunting, boating, and snowmobiling on Grand Mesa. Additionally, they instilled in their children the values of faith, hard work, loyalty, generosity, and compassion for others.

In 1958, Pat began a career with the Colorado Department of Corrections. During his years with the department, he established many campgrounds and honor camps throughout the state. Eventually, he became the superintendent of Roubideaux Honor Camp. During his tenure with the state, Pat was honored at the state capitol several times for his leadership and work ethic. He retired on St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1989, as Supervisor of all Colorado State Corrections and Parole on the western slope.

Throughout his life, Pat enjoyed hunting-especially with his son Doug, fishing, reading, camping, and coffee with his buddies at Connies. He rarely met a stranger and seldom passed up an opportunity for a good conversation. He passed his love of the outdoors to his children and grandchildren teaching them to fish, to hunt, to boat, and to spot wildlife. During his final few years, Pat was blessed to stay in the family home with the dedicated care of his wife and his daughter Marta and her husband Jon.

In addition to Gwen, his wife of 68 years, Pat is survived by his son Doug (Dawn) Marah of Cedaredge and daughters Marta (Jon) Croce of Cedaredge and Mary (Mark) Riem of Canon City; four grandchildren-Laura (J) Reiter, Ethan (Cassie) Croce, Bryn Marah, and Joseph (Shay) Marah; and four great grandchildren-Luke and Zane Reiter and Caleb and David Croce.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Floyd and Bill Hamilton. Ed Marah, and Mike Marah; and sisters Helen Kungel and Rosella Martin.

Services will be held Friday, February 9th at 2:00pm at the First Baptist Church at 370 W Main St Cedaredge CO 81413.

The family thanks the Delta County Hospice for their compassionate care of Pat. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Delta County Hope West.