Daniel "Dan" Kelleher

Daniel "Dan" Kelleher, age 65, passed peacefully in the care of HopeWest Hospice in Grand Junction, Colorado, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Dan was born to Paul and Lois (Wilson) Kelleher in Winterset, Iowa, on Oct. 10, 1958. Dan was the fourth of seven children.

In 1962 he moved from Iowa with his family to Grand Junction where he spent his youth. He attended and graduated from local schools and earned a degree in Computer Science from Mesa State College.

Dan married Lori Suzanne Durdick Nov. 25, 1989, in Grand Junction. Dan worked at a variety of interesting jobs during his lifetime. First, he worked for Rocky Mountain Geo Engineering, where he developed a specialized system for logging drill site information. He worked as fleet manager and dispatcher at both City Market Grocery in Grand Junction and Brady Trucking in Grand Junction and Vernal, Utah. In Montrose, Colorado, Dan worked for Russell Stover's Candies and later for Target retail outlet.

Dan was a simple man. He loved his mom's homemade bread and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. He had a sly, dry sense of humor and was always quick with a quip or two. Dan had a sharp inquisitive mind which he often used to solve complex problems, especially when it came to computers. Dan had a lifelong interest in all things railroad, including a collection of model trains. Dan's greatest treasure was his family, for whom he had a deep abiding love.

Dan is survived by his wife of 34 years, Lori, and four sons, Anthony, Daniel (Shiloh), Robert and Casey; his mother, Lois (Wilson) Kelleher; four brothers, Mike (Dana), Pat (Tina), Steve (Sherry), Joe (Laurie), and sister, Mary DuCray (Kent), along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Anthony Kelleher, brother, Tom, nephew, Barry, and niece, Michelle.

Cremation has taken place at Snyder Memorials. A private celebration of his life will be held later. Donations may be made to HopeWest Hospice Ferris Care Center.