Richard Allen Gavigan

Rich was born on the very day World War II ended in 1945, in Racine, Wisconsin. He moved to Grand Junction, CO in 1988 to work at Central Bank in the Trust Department. That is when he met and married (1991) the love of his life, Marcia Pace Bell, originally of Richfield, UT.

After battling many health issues throughout his life, Rich contracted a life-threatening liver disease, which he suffered with for many years. In 2001, he learned that he was in dire need of a liver transplant and was placed on the national transplant list. When it became apparent that no donor would be available in time to save his life, Marcia came to his rescue by donating two-thirds of her liver (2002). Due to the incredible doctors at the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver who were doing God’s work, his life was extended for 23 years. Rich always said those were the best years of his life.

Rich attended St. Edwards parochial school and St. Catherine’s high school in Racine, WI. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater with majors in Economics and Psychology. He was employed as a banking trust officer in Wisconsin, Colorado, New Mexico, and Virginia. He served several terms as a municipal judge in Wisconsin. He was co-founder of Heritage Trust Company (Grd. Jct) and Millennium Investments (Fruita, CO). For the last twenty years, Rich was employed at Grand Junction Federal Credit Union as a loan officer and collections manager.

He was a life-long catholic and a member of Sacred Heart Parish (Fruita) and St. Joseph’s (Grd. Jct). He loved the Catholic Church and was devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. He and his dear friend, Steve Lutgen, constructed and cared for a Grotto to the Blessed Virgin Mary at Sacred Heart Church in Fruita along with their spouses and select friends.

In his younger days, Rich was an avid softball player, skier, and gardener. He planted more evergreen trees over the years than you can imagine. In later years, Rich was renowned for teaching the kids and grandkids to play poker. Poker parties were a staple of every family get-together. Laughter from these parties could be heard throughout the neighborhood!

Throughout his entire life, his objective was to always tell the truth. Honesty was one of the most important qualities he ever possessed, and as a consequence of that practice, he was thought by many to be very blunt and incompassionate. But, in truth, he was forgiving, loving, and kind.

Rich is survived by his wife, Marcia, and their six children: James (Jenn) Gavigan, Colleen (Ted) Beardsley, Kelly (Jack) Iverson all of Racine, WI., Bryan (Brandi) Bell of Grand Junction, CO, Melissa Worley of Richfield, UT, and Michael (Brittany) Bell of Elk Ridge, UT, 17 grandchildren and 4, soon to be 5, great-grandchildren. Rich has two surviving brothers, Thomas Gavigan (Judy) and David Gavigan (Jill), both of Racine, WI.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Phil and Romayne Gavigan, and a brother, Randy, who died at 11 months old.

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Funeral services will begin with a Rosary at 10:00 am Saturday, September 6th, 2025

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Fruita, CO.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am Saturday, September 6th, 2025

Followed by a luncheon at noon in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for Masses.