Travis James DeRuiter

Travis James DeRuiter, 42, of Granby, CO passed away in June, 2017. He was born to James Allen DeRuiter and Wilma Ilene (Mulder) DeRuiter on October 19, 1974 in Greeley, CO and lived his whole life in this beautiful state. He loved the outdoors, and spent much time hiking and camping in the mountains of Colorado and the Redrock country of Utah.

Travis was greatly loved by his family and friends for his gentle, kind heart and was known for his easygoing nature. He got along with everyone he met, and would reach out to people new to the area and show them the natural places he loved so much. The Joint Trail in Canyonlands National Park was a particular favorite that he loved to share with others.

Trav was a tall man, and he towered over all of us with his appreciation for a simple life, away from the distractions of the fast-paced world. A friend said he was a man meant for another time.

Travis worked a variety of jobs through his life, including School District 6 in Greeley when he was a young man. He took great pride and found special satisfaction in his work as a maintenance worker for the last 13 years at Rocky Mountain National Park on the “West Side.”

Travis grew up in Fellowship Church in Greeley, where he was very positively influenced by some wonderful youth leaders. His youth home was in LaSalle, Colorado, and he was a proud Valley Viking.

Travis is survived by his parents, Jim and Billie DeRuiter (Estes Park, CO), sisters Terri Hamilton (Denver) and Darla DeRuiter (Meadow Valley, CA), brothers-in-law Ed Hamilton (Denver) and Darrel Jury (Meadow Valley), and niece and nephew Joelle and Keegan Hamilton (Denver). He was preceded in death by his dog Chewbacca, whom he loved fiercely and treated with great respect.

A celebration of Trav’s life will occur on Tuesday, June 27th at 6pm at Ponder Chapel, YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. Friends and family are welcome to share thoughts, memories, and stories about Travis, either in person at the memorial, by posting them on the tribute wall at www.allnutt.com or emailing them to Darla at [email protected].

A second memorial will happen in early August in Granby, outdoors where Trav was most comfortable, details TBA.

Memorial contributions in honor of Travis’ life can be made to Rocky Mountain Conservancy. If you would like to donate, the family has identified the “Trail Improvement” fund a fitting way to remember Trav’s passion for hiking. https://rmconservancy.org/product/donation/