George Thomas Ryan Jr.

August 10, 1932 – November 28, 2022 fter a long and courageous battle against an insidious infection that resulted in multiple surgeries and the amputation of his right leg, George T. Ryan Jr. ran into his Lord and Savior’s arms at the age of 90 on November 28, 2022. Throughout the long medical battle, his faith never faltered and his enduring sense of humor never failed. He touched many lives, even from a hospital bed.

Mentor and Coach

Born in New Castle, PA, George grew up loving all sports. Throughout his 90 years, he gave more than he received, mentoring local athletes and students as a teacher, assistant football coach and board member with School District 51.

George served as a CHSAA Track and Field official for five decades. He also officiated the 1982 NCAA Track and Field Championships. These accomplishments resulted in a letter of commendation by Scott McInnis that lauded George’s mentorship, selfless dedication and leadership to local students. The letter was entered into the 108th Congressional Record on June 19, 2003.

Family Man and Military Service

Above his commitment to sports and mentoring students, George cherished his wife Mary Ann and their family.

After high school, George was drafted into the U.S. Army and served on the frontlines in Korea. Pending his discharge, he was stationed in Colorado Springs, where he met Mary Ann, who was a nursing student.

After they married, George returned to college, earning his teaching degree at Youngstown College in Ohio. Mary Ann missed her family in Western Colorado so George secured a position teaching social studies in Grand Junction.

In retirement, George and Mary Ann traveled to Reno, NV; Dallas, TX; Eugene, OR and Denver to support their growing family. George and his sons built a cabin at Vega Reservoir, which was a frequent destination for weekend getaways and family reunions. His generosity was felt by his family and all that knew him. George was a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather with four children, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Mary Ann, his wife of 61 years, passed away in 2017.

65 ON THE

Your Initial Enrollment Period is your first chance to sign up for Medicare. It lasts for 7 months, starting 3 months before you turn 65 and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65.

You’ll automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B if you’re already receiving retirement (through Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board) or disability benefits.

Working Past 65?

• If you’re not yet receiving retirement or disability benefits, you’ll need to take action to enroll in Medicare. You can enroll in Parts A and B at ssa.gov

• You can wait to enroll in Part B until you no longer have employer group or union coverage and not pay a penalty.

MedicareResourceCenter.com is a non-government resource privately owned and operated by Benefits Life, Inc. MedicareResourceCenter.com is not associated with or endorsed by Medicare, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or any other government agency. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your plan options. IS

22 A New Approach to Healthy Soil

Colorado Department of Agriculture’s STAR program is a great step towards educating consumers about the importance of soil health

26 Travel: Civil Rights Historic Sites

Travelers can relive history at sites recounting pages from the fight for freedom and equality 10

The Right Plan, Place and Time

After decades of talk, the pieces are finally coming together for a new Grand Junction Community Recreation Center the Caregiver

You, the doctor and your loved one are part of the Therapeutic Triangle. Follow these communication tips to make your voice heard

14 4 Techy Tools to Track Your Heart Health

With heart disease being the nation’s number one killer, these tech tools give you a fighting chance

16 Dear Pharmacist: New Drugs

To Help You in the New Year

Last year we saw an eclectic mix of new medications gain FDA approval. Many are highly anticipated because of how they may benefit patients

17 3 Ways to Improve Your Pet’s Dental Health

Prioritize your pet’s dental health and they will thank you with kisses that don’t smell so bad

20 Films for Armchair Adventurers

Thanks to one local woman and the Rotary Club, the Banff Film Festival returns to Grand Junction and adds a stop in Delta

Introducing the 2023 BEACON Best

We reveal our readers’ most loved locales in Mesa, Montrose and Delta counties

34 Faith: We’re Never Separated from God’s Love

So often our experiences seem to contradict the idea that God loves us. But God’s love is more powerful than anything else that exists

40

RULES:

• Nominees must be age 50 or older.

• Nominees must be unpaid volunteers living on the Western Slope.

• All nominations must be sponsored by a local agency or nonpro t. If you know of a volunteer that you’d like to see recognized, please reach out to the agency they volunteer for and see if they’ll sponsor them.

• Only one nomination per agency please. Volunteer teams (couples and/or siblings) are accepted.