John William Magnuson

John joined the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Virginia. It was there that he met Christine (Brady), and they were married in 1988. John was a devoted husband to Christine, a proud dad to Stephanie and Thomas, and a loving son to Joel and Joyce. His heart overflowed with love for his five grandchildren—Bradyn, Kayleigh, Joshua, Maddux, and Aislynn—whom he adored and cherished. Nothing meant more to John than being a dad and Papa, and his family was always his top priority.

John worked as a painter for many years and, after being diagnosed with lung cancer, he chose to give back by volunteering at the cancer center offering support and encouragement to others. His strength, resilience, and courage during his recovery were an inspiration to those around him. John enjoyed fishing, camping, stargazing, and traveling to Arizona for Cubs spring training with Christine—traditions they both loved and looked forward to each year.

John’s sense of humor was a defining part of who he was. Whether it was cracking dad jokes or being sarcastic to make someone laugh, he always knew how to make people smile. He lived by the simple motto, “Own it.” He taught his family to take responsibility for their actions—good or bad—to learn from them, and to always keep moving forward with integrity.

John was preceded in death by his stepmother Joyce and other beloved family and friends. He is survived by his father, Joel; his loving wife, Christine; children Stephanie (Zachary Beatty) and Thomas; 5 grandchildren; and many family members and friends who will always carry his memory in their hearts.

A service to celebrate John’s life will be held at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Grand Junction on December 4, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to dress casually—John would want you to be comfortable and it’s just like him to order snow for that day, so dress accordingly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.