Cecil Bruce Stites

Cecil was born on May 27, 1952, in Gunnison, Colorado, to Ted H. and Betty (Meyer) Stites. When Cecil was born, his family was living at the Half- Way House on the Blue outside of Gunnsion. The family moved into Gunnison when he was one. He attended school in Gunnison and graduated from Gunnison High School in 1970. He and his lifelong friend, Darrell Sunderland, had many adventures throughout their school years and beyond. Cecil attended the Votech College in Delta, and earned his degree in Diesel Science. He married Marjie Stites, and they later divorced. On September 9, 1982, he married Evonne J. Stites in Collbran.

During Cecil’s time in rodeo, he hauled rough stock for Stearns and Rogers, rode bareback horses and bulls, and roped. He was a truck driver for Stites Construction and numerous other companies hauling various loads including, heavy equipment, milk, and coal. Cecil was a member of the Plateau Valley Volunteer Fire Department. He was a highly skilled heavy equipment operator. He taught many men how to operate heavy equipment and drive truck. He worked for Mesa County Road and Bridge department for 32 years, retiring in October of 2011.

Cecil was a member Grand Mesa Community Church, NRA, Gold Prospectors Association of America, and he was highly invested in Dodge and was a member of the Dodge Ram Club.

Cecil’s love of the out of doors is evident in his time spent fishing, hunting, four wheeling, and traveling with Evonne and their fifth wheel trailer, and of course the boat. He was Hunter Education instructor for many years. At Plateau Valley High School football games, he was an expert at preparing the cannon and touching it off to celebrate touchdowns. He was proud of his membership in Alcoholics Anonymous for 28 years. Just before retiring from Mesa County Road and Bridge, he picked up a set of clubs and began playing golf. He enjoyed time on the course with his sons and daughter, other family members, and a special friend Terry Harrington.

Cecil was known as true friend and a man of his word. He had a very strong work ethic and sense of responsibility, and he taught this to all his children. He never expected more from others than he did from himself. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Cecil is survived by his wife, Evonne, of Collbran; sons, Clayton (Sarah) Stites, and their son, Gunner, of Briggsdale, Colorado, and Jesse (Jenna) Stites and their sons, Orrin and Rhett, of Grand Junction; daughters, Shayna (Bill) Wilson, their son, Blake, and daughters Summer and Taylor, of Las Vegas, Nevada; sisters, Judy (Walt) Sebring of Delta, and Teddy (Don) Ziegler of Golden, Colorado, brother, Leroy Wilcox, and numerous nieces and nephews. His parents, Ted Stites and Betty Hyde; and his brother, Ted Stites, precede him in death.

A celebration of life will be held for Cecil on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at the Mesa Community Center in Mesa, Colorado.

Memorial contributions may be made in Cecil’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org/joinus.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinMortuary.com for the Stites family.