Gary Dean Emrick

Gary Emrick was born on September 24, 1959, and passed away on January 14, 2025, in Delta, Colorado. Gary was the son of Loran Emrick, Jr., and Deanna Emrick. He was the father Nicole Alexander from Red Bluff, California, grandfather of her children, Kayla, Andrew, and Jonathan. Gary had two brothers, Kelly and Bobby Emrick. 

Gary married the love of his life, Leora Valencia Emrick from Fruita, Colorado, on October 23, 1995. They lived in Delta, Colorado, for the last seven years of his life. 

Gary was a Navy veteran and served on the Enterprise ship. After serving, he was part of the VA in Grand Junction, Colorado, where he shared his artwork. 

Gary was a well-known Native American artist. His art was sold throughout the US and in Turkey. He won the Colorado Mountain Ute award and was artist of the month at Cortez CU Cultural Center. He donated a lot of his work to various hospitals and organizations and gave people he cared about special paintings. His art was a part of who he was and will leave a mark in various places including various museums in the US.

Though Gary had disabilities, his love for Native American Art shined through in his love and understanding for others. His art made many people happy from the small to the bigger pieces. His artistic ways were a great example to others that disabilities don’t have to stop the desire of our hearts. Through the help of God and his wife Leora, he was able to prove this to himself and others. Gary will be missed by his wife, family, and friends. Rest in peace, Gary. We love you.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11am on Friday, February 21, 2025, at First Baptist Church, 1250 Pioneer Rd. Delta, CO 81416. Burial to follow at Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2830 Riverside Parkway, Grand Junction, CO 81501.