We have lost a good man born in the Gunnison Valley and residing in Grand Junction. Roger F. Cranor passed away at home in Grand Junction, Feb. 22, 2025, from cancer. His wife Mary and her daughter Melissa Nino were with him at the time of his passing. He was born March 3, 1959, to Forrest and Thora Cranor of Almont, Colorado, the youngest of the family of four.
After growing up on his family’s resort, he graduated with a business degree from Colorado Mesa University, formally Mesa College, in Grand Junction and stayed in Grand Junction for a while before moving to the Denver area where he met his wife-to-be in 1985. The two were married Jan. 23, 1988.
They moved back to Grand Junction in 1989 when Roger went to work at Central Distributing as the warehouse manager. When the sales representative position opened primarily for the I-70 corridor he decided to take it. That job took him and Mary to Rifle, Colorado for 22 years before they moved back to Grand Junction.
Roger was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, cyclist, bowler, golfer and fisherman. He spent at least a few times in Doctor Park each year hunting and hiking in his father’s hunting area that became dear to all his family.
He was a gentleman like no other, and could do nearly anything from landscaping to working on cars. He was a good one to help set up your stereo, TV or computers, a Jack-of-all-trades. Roger was well liked by all his family and friends — honest, hardworking and loving.
Roger is survived by his wife Mary, who has two children, Melissa (Patrick) Nino and Thomas Finley, who passed away in 2013. Mary has grandchildren, Jacob and Josuha Finley and Reagan Nino.
Roger is preceded in death by his parents and sister Patty Trujillo. He is survived by brother Carl Cranor (Crystal) of Riverside, California, and sister Polly (Dave) Oberosler of Gunnison, Colorado, and nieces Michelle (Ronnie) Peelo of Montrose and Kelly (Paul) McDaniel of Hotchkiss.
One of a kind, Roger will be so missed by his family and all who knew him.
A memorial will be held March 22, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Point Church, 606 28 Road, Grand Junction, Colorado, 81506.
