This will be the last time I write here. I think perhaps that once something is written online that it could live on forever in the ether. After five years, half a decade (!), I've probably eulogized enough.  I think a lot about the future of AI and how one day it might be possible to have a kind of digital afterlife where we could recreate our long lost loved ones and live together eternally. I hope so. As for the current political situation, I can only imagine how Jeremiah would have been both parts outraged and fascinated by the whole debacle. He spent so much of his life fighting against everything Donald Trump stands for--from union organizing, political campaigning to his career as a public servant (and other more radical things that I will tell-all someday). As always, please keep Jeremiah in your hearts. Given his sad childhood, that he even had a flame that never went out for activism, is a testament to the strength of his character, his resilience. Love, Shannon

It's been 5 years now since I lost my dad... There are 1,000,000 memories I could bring up about my father, but the one that feels most appropriate is the fact that when I was a teenager, my dad took me to Boulder. He was trying to convince me that eventually, the never-ending tedium that was high school would end, and I would be able to go to college. I'll never forget sitting at the Sink and dad hitting me on the shoulder playfully telling me that I would be able to find my own people when I went to college. Dad was the type of person who never really tried to fit into any box but his own. He was a poet and loved to play his guitar. He was the type of man who would see a lemonade stand pull over and tell me to get out and buy us both a cup. Always insisting that the kids keep the change, whatever change there might be. I miss my dad every single day, and as five years have gone by, it doesn't feel like it's ever going to get easier. The one constant, though, that I know is my dad loved me, my dad loved my mom, and my brother, his siblings, and so many more people. He was a dedicated civil servant who truly did love the people of Colorado. We wanted to make sure that everyone had what they needed. These are the things I try to remember because they are what's truly important. I know that I came into my father's life a lot later than many others, that he had lived many lives before I even came into existence, and while his life was too short, I'm happy that I got to be a part of it. Jeremiah Attridge will always be remembered not for the disease that he had near the end of his life, but for all the good that he put into the world. His legacy will be me and my little brother and all of the love, joy, and compassion that he brought to the lives of those around him. You will always be remembered, Dad. You will always be loved

It goes without saying, but if Jeremiah were alive today he'd have thought that Luigi Mangione was a hero (if he is indeed guilty). In the last years of his life Jeremiah relied heavily on inhalers to control the symptoms of COPD. From what I've read, the cortical steroid inhalers cost less than a dollar to manufacture.  We bought them every month for $45.00-$50.00 each--out of pocket, with insurance.  So this holiday season please remember Jeremiah by heaping scorn upon the evil insurance companies--none of whom deliver healthcare, only profits. I wish anyone reading this much love, peace and happiness this holiday season and into the coming new year.  --S.

Today would have been Jeremiah's 70th birthday. I can only imagine what he'd think of the upcoming election. Happy Cosmic Birthday, JA! We love you and miss you...

Though it's been three years, we miss Jeremiah/Daddy like a severed limb. It's been a very hard road to travel without him.  Jeremiah's life was more interesting, more heroic and much sadder than I think a lot of people realize. 
All love to you, JA. Always.

Dad after trying to fix a car taking a break.

Dad and I before I went back to UNC for the fall 2020 semester...

I was missing him on my Facebook, had not seen his presence in a while. I remember him as colorful and well spoken in Dr. Lowdenslager's Constitutional Law class. Easy person to like, always a smile and a wink in the eye. My condolences. 

Shannon, Annabelle and Jerry,,

I belatedly learned of Jeremiah's passing and I am so sorry for you loss.   I met Jeremiah when he transferred into Mullen High School in 1969 (I think).  He was asked by the homeroom teacher on day one  to introduce himself, and he proceeded to walk to the front of the room and do 15 minutes of hilarious  stand-up comedy.  He was my best friend until 1977,  when I left Colorado for California.   He taught me about Simon & Garfunkel,  country music and poetry,  and I (among others folks) taught him how to play guitar.  He will forever me in my thoughts.

Shannon,

I just heard the news about Jeremiah.  I want to send my condolences.  I am sadden deeply. 

It was the Fall of 1980 when I first met Jeremiah.  I was still a freshman, having transferred from Metro State College in Denver after one semester.  Jeremiah and I were fellow political science students.  We would go on to take 6 or 7 classes together.

I vividly remember the day I met him.  He showed up fashionably 5 to 10 minutes late to our Federal Government class with Dr. Paul Lowdenslager.  

Jeremiah was always late to class and he always made a bit of a scene as he settled into his seat.  When I reminded him how we met, with a straight face, but with a rye smile, he said, “Mark, I don’t recall it that way.”  Jeremiah called me by my first name, while others called my by my nickname “Asch”.

Jeremiah was no shrinking violet.  He had a brilliant mind, a genius really.  He was the most well read person I had met.  Jeremiah taught me to think critically.  I loved Jeremiah.  He always, and I means always, fought for the little guy/gal.  These were his core values I remember most.

He fought the system and usually won.  He was a bit irreverent at times, but I liked that about him.  He never took himself too seriously.

I will miss my dear friend.

Mark Aschemeyer


Jeremiah was my friend.

He was an obstinate, opinionated, self-righteous soul, who loved to argue politics, literary theory, and the culinary qualities of French, German, and Italian cuisine. When debating these things he  would cede no ground and was relentless in defending his opinion.

But while he had a gruff exterior, he also was a gentle and caring soul.

He loved the music of Joni Mitchell, Townes Van Zandt, and the Byrds. He could sit in silence listening to "Blue," appreciating every subtlety.

A brilliant poet, satirist, and friend.

The world is lessened without his presence.

It is with a heavy heart that I learned of Jeremiah’s passing. He was one of my dearest friends and I loved him deeply. 
Jeremiah and I were roommates in Gunnison in the undergrad years. Our house was full of music, interesting people, and great conversations about literature, politics and what it means to be human. 
Jeremiah was caustically witty if he liked you and distantly polite if he didn’t. One of my great memories is of the many times I would be off to my advanced English class, having not read the assignment. “Quick, Jeremiah, give me the gist”, and he would summarize what I hadn’t read and add a clever analogy or thought provoking question for me to use to wow the professor. Once he asked me “What if I gave you a totally bogus answer that made you look like a fool?” I said “you would never do that, because you love me.” He never did.
Another small kindness that creeps into my memory: We had just gotten the new Crosby, Stills and Nash album and he was making fun of me for listening to Southern Cross again and again and teasing me by insulting the song. But one morning as he was going out the door, he cued up that song on the album so I would hear it as I got out of the shower.
Jeremiah cared about justice, all people, and doing the right thing. His poetry and songs are profound messages to open your eyes and step it up. Lately, I had been enjoying his political satires and sharing them far and wide. I have recited several of his poems at poetry cafes to inspire students. I do have to say, it was hard to find poems of Jeremiah’s that were appropriate for student and parent audiences!
I have lived most of my post Gunnison life overseas so I did not see Jeremiah often. Thankfully, we connected on social media and in recent years have had some lovely, healing conversations. He meant so much to me and was truly one of, perhaps the, most important person in my life.
My heart goes out to Shannon, Annabel and Jerry for this tremendous loss.


Jeremiah Attridge: We shared a political science class together at Western Colorado University. Our Professor Dr. Lowdenslager known affectionately as Dr. L who was a great expert on Constitutional law among other honors. Jeremiah was not always in our class but when he did show up, we all anticipated a spirited debate that day. Jeremiah was irreverent, a free spirit of sorts. His irreverence was not one of disrespect to people but one of disrespect of those thing that demeaned others and caused misery and injustice to society. I was a naïve freshman who felt she bit off more than she could chew on the first day of my political science classes. With time I started feeling more confident with the direction of Dr. L. I was soon in the thick of these debates. Jeremiah’s insights blew me away and Dr. L welcomed his intellect. Jeremiah was a genius. I am so glad that I got to reconnect with him again on social media. I will miss seeing his thoughts on our political arena, he usually would make me laugh with his commentary. I am so sorry for his family and close friends. I know that he is having great discussions with Dr. L sharing some Boodles gin. Rest in Peace and do not be too disorderly.
Renee Runyon aka Miss 


Thank you all for the kind words and cards we've received over this past month. It's meant a lot to the kids and I.  Jeremiah loved working with all of you at the CDLE. He derived a great deal of personal satisfaction from working in unemployment benefits. Jeremiah also loved being the union representative and President of the state employees' AFSMCE local.
However, Jeremiah's true dream was to be a country-western songwriter in Nashville, TN. I admired and was amazed by his ability to write entertaining songs and satirical poetry.  He was a bit of a genius, I think. One time, I told him a story about encountering a friend who'd bitterly complained about being harassed by some religious folk at his door. In less than a week Jeremiah wrote a song--lyrics and chord structure--about that minor incident and made it into the song "Why Won't You Believe?".  Many of his songs and poetry sprang fully formed from his brain! No edits! Incredible. 
We love him always. Please keep Jeremiah in your hearts. His spirit, his decency and his uniqueness will live on. Thanks again.

My dad was my hero I miss him so much every single day. He always fought for what was right never stopped trying to make the world a better place. He worked his ass off make sure that other people were able to stay afloat in an economic system that treated them as disposable. Jeremiah Attridge Was a type of man who loved his children and always tried to make time for us. I love you dad. 

Ave, Atque Vale! My friend, a hero's farewell to you, for the classic that you are!
Jeremiah was an admirer of the great Irish Revolutionaries  of the last century who believed in the cause of Irish independence. I think he admired them because he believed in causes himself. 
I remember my friend for his great and deep sense of justice and fairness. He fervently detested crookedness and unfairness, and he confronted it wherever he found it. 
He believed in the rights of people and he believed people should be treated justly and fairly. 
Our friend fought the good fight wherever he found himself, and he did so in the not always just or fair workings of the state bureaucracy where he made his living. 
He was a canny and sharp-witted man with a wry and dry sense of humour. He was an adept and  spirited raconteur, of tales both tall and short, and he was irreverent and kind in equal measure, perhaps with a preponderance of kindness tipping the balance. 
I remember with great fondness his charming, crooked smile, his long and greying locks – as irrepressible as he was himself – his tall, lanky frame, his stooped shoulders and his tobacco-stained fingers....
He was memorable in every way, and I shall remember him always with affection and respect. 
I am filled with sadness at the news of his passing. The world has lost a noble son. 
My sympathies to his friends and family. May your grief be shared and understood by all those who support you in this sad time. 
Wherever you are are my friend, may your path be easy and your destination secure and sweet.  

Just learned of Jeremiah's passing. So sorry for your loss Shannon, Annabelle and Jerry. His sense of humor and his writings  will be missed by those who knew him.

My deepest sympathies on the loss of such a great man. I'm fortunate to have been able to work with Jerry and listen to his tales of CDLE history. Most of his stories brought everyone that listened to them to tears. Maybe it was his special delivery, but those stories retold won't have the same punch-line as when he told them.
Jerry will always be in my thoughts, as will his family. Family was always his priority in life. He has never been more proud of anything than his family.

To a good man that I wish I had known better. I hope he is now  strumming  tunes with GP.
.

Shannon, Annabelle, and Jerry, 
I am so sorry to hear that Jeremiah has passed. He was good man who always fought for what was right. He made politicians and bosses crazy, and for the rest of us, he just made us grateful. My deepest sympathy.

OBITUARIO

Jeremiah Michael Attridge

3 noviembre, 1954 – 14 diciembre, 2020

Allnutt Funeral & Cremation - Macy

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