Arthur Dean Bulla, age 97, beloved father and Grandfather, entered his heavenly home on Friday, January 10, 2025, at his home in Grand Junction, CO. Funeral services honoring his life will be held at 2:00 p .m. on January 31, 2025, at Martin Mortuary, 550 North Avenue, Grand Junction, Colorado with a visitation with family and friends immediately preceding from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. He is survived his children, Roger (Betty) Bulla, Janet Brock, and Gary (Susan) Bulla; grandchildren, Adam (Renee) Bulla, Elyse Bulla, Andrew (Shannon) Bulla, Ryan Bulla, Kathy (Randy) Doudy, Richard (Debbie) Belden; and great-grandchildren, Karissa Belden, Braden Bulla, Kaylie Bulla, Clara Bulla, Rose Bulla, Edmund Bulla, Henry Bulla, Madeleine Bulla, Clayton Fletcher and Justin Doudy. Art is preceded in death by his wife Eileen as well as siblings Frank Bulla, Jr., Charles Bulla, Mildred Beauregard, Dorothy Simpson, and Josephine Preston.
Art was born on September 25, 1927, in Grand Junction Colorado, the son of Frank and Dora Bulla, and lived his entire life there. He proudly served in the U.S army in the mid 1940s. Art met Eileen Donye Rice at a rolling skating rink while both were attending Mesa College and they married two years later on September 25, 1952. They remained happily married for 66 years until her death in 2019. Art earned his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Entomology from Colorado State University, worked as a miner for 3 years, then as a chemist for the Atomic Energy Commission for 5 years, followed by a 33 year career as an entomologist for the Colorado State University Western Slope Experiment Station. In the latter role, he was known by fruit farmers throughout the western slope as he paid frequent visits to monitor insect populations and provide pest control advice.
When not working his day job, Art pursued another passion – fruit farming. He planted and managed fruit orchards with over a thousand pear trees and 250 apple trees, which produced bountiful harvests most years. Art will be remembered as a hard-working individual who was patient and gentle with a keen sense of humor. He willingly became the primary support for two of his aging siblings prior to their passing. Art was a member of the United Methodist Church for many decades. A special thanks to his nephew Ryan, whose unwavering devotion and dedication allowed both Art and Eileen to continue to live at their home until passing.
A guests and family visitation for Arthur will be held Friday, January 31, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Martin Mortuary. A funeral service will occur Friday, January 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM. A committal service will occur Friday, January 31, 2025 at Grand Junction Memorial Gardens. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the charity of your choice. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the charity of your choice.
