James Thomas Hanrahan
Obituaries
Daily Sentinel page 5A - June 3, 2020
James Thomas
Hanrahan
May 2, 1940 - May 31, 2020
James Thomas Hanrahan
passed away peacefully on May
31, 2020.
Jim was born in Pasadena, CA
on May 2, 1940, to Leora Tuttle
and Thomas Hanrahan. At the
age of 14, his father passed away
and his mother moved he, his
sister, Jean, and brother, Tom to
Cedaredge, CO to be closer to his grandmother Hazel Karraker.
Jim graduated from Cedaredge High School in 1959, got married
and had daughters, Michele and Dana. He owned an apple orchard
north of Cedaredge and later, his own construction company. He
was actively involved in the Cedaredge Men’s Saddle Club and a
leader for the Cedar Teen Drill Team his daughters were involved
with.
In 1978 he met the love of his life, Judy Nichols. They were
married in 1981 and he gained four more children, Troy, Christine,
Bobby, and Verna.
His work took him in a new direction and he accepted a position
as a Ditch Rider on Grand Mesa at Leon Lake and Trickle Park. In
1985 he, Judy and the kids moved to Greeley, CO, where he began
his career as a water commissioner.
In the next few years they would move to Wray, CO, and
finally settle in Sterling, CO, where he retired as a Senior Water
Commissioner in 2004. Jim was voted Water Commissioner of The
Year for the State of Colorado in 1992 and 2001.
Jim is survived by his wife, Judy Hanrahan; sister, Jean McHugh,
and daughters, Michele Gallegos (Rob) of Rifle, CO; Dana Huff
(Doug) of Delta, CO; Troy Reiner (Darlene) of Brogan, OR;
Christine Castoe (Ryan) of Fort Morgan, CO, and Verna Ehn of
Largo, FL. He is also survived by 27 grandchildren; 22 greatgrandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jim was preceded in death by parents, Leora and Thomas Tuttle;
grandparents, Hazel Karraker and Thomas Hanrahan; brother, Tom
Hanrahan, and son, Bobby Castoe.
Graveside funeral services will be held at the Cedaredge
Cemetery, Saturday, June 6, 2020, at 1:00 p
