Tyler James Stanford

Services will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Fruita.

Mr. Stanford was a student at Colorado Mesa University.

Survivors include his parents, Jesse Stanford and Mary Hammond, both of Grand Junction; two brothers, Elijah Gossage and Kiel Gossage, both of Grand Junction; and one sister, Gabby Stanford of Grand Junction.

Memorial contributions to Hope of the Grand Valley, P.O. Box 532, Fruita 81521.

Tyler James Stanford

November 23, 1991 - November 22, 2014

Tyler James Stanford died in a tragic auto accident November 22, 2014. He was a skilled athlete, avid Bronco fan and a loyal friend who always stood up for the underdog.

Born in Mesa, AZ, he relocated with his family as a young child and spent most of his life in Grand Junction, where he attended New Emerson, Holy Family Catholic School, and Grand Junction High School. Tyler attended both Colorado Mesa University and the College of Southern Idaho on a baseball scholarship.

While his younger siblings, Gabby, Elijah and Kiel, spent a lot of time watching Tyler play ball, he never missed an opportunity to spend time with them. Tyler would stop whatever he was doing to pick Gabby up at school, attend cub scouts with Eli, or to get down on the floor with Kiel and play.

He enjoyed baseball, football, basketball, fishing, and hiking. He had a special place in his heart for animals, especially dogs. If he went to an unfamiliar place, he said he could always relate to the dogs before he could the people. Tyler gave freely of himself and never expected anything in return.

He is preceded in death by Randy Bogart, Patrick Olerain and his dog, Buddy. He is survived by his mother and step-father, Mary Hammond and Blane Gossage; his father and step-mother, Jesse and Tami Stanford; his siblings, Gabby Stanford, Elijah and Kiel Gossage; grandparents, Paul and Marcia Sheffer, Deb Aspen, Larry and Arlene Nichols and Lois Bogart; uncles, Larry, Shane and Johnny; aunts, Tina, Jenny and Bear; ten cousins and numerous friends.

Services will be held Friday, November 28 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fruita, CO and immediately following the service a gathering for family and friends at the Hospitality Suite at Stocker Stadium.

Tyler, your bear hugs will be greatly missed!

Published in The Daily Sentinel on Nov. 27, 2014