Greg Allen Wentzel

Greg Allen Wentzel, 54, passed away surrounded by family on March 8, 2024. He was born August 19, 1969 at Fort Wolters in Mineral Wells, Texas to Merlyn Wentzel and Alice Bryan. 
Greg lived in Oklahoma and Texas until his parents, Dick and Alice Bryan, moved back home to Castle Rock, Colorado. Greg graduated from Douglas County High School and continued his education at the University of Northern Colorado where he got his degree in history and journalism. Though he never used his degree directly in his career his knowledge of history made him a source of much information and a great partner for trivia. After college he moved to the Western slope and lived in Parachute, Colorado where he worked for BFI, a recycling and trashcompany, and started his baseball umpiring and basketball officiating careers. His love of sports continued when he moved to Grand Junction and he was able to moonlight, from BFI, as a high school and college baseball umpire. After his days behind the plate ended, he spent numerous years as a sports broadcaster, marketing rep and on air personality, working 22 years at MBC Grand Broadcasting. He especially looked forward to his announcing, color and play by play during JUCO every year. His knowledge of sports trivia was amazing and he loved the kids and coaches who came every year to JUCO and the staff and crew that he worked with during the many games. 
Greg married the love of his life, Shana (Melendy) Wentzel July 17, 1999 and became an instant bonus dad to her son Bradley Martinez. Greg and Shana together spent 24 great years of marriage and had many adventures over the years. Every adventure came with a great story and new friends made. Greg knew no stranger, only friends he hadn’t made yet. His big stature and friendly nature drew people in and he always made new friends, even if they were Dodgers fans. 
Through Greg’s life he impacted and brought joy to so many people. He loved the people he worked with and his job in radio. He loved to laugh and make people laugh.  A common theme tied to Greg was joy. 
Greg is preceded in death by his father; Merlyn Wentzel, his grandparents; Mort and Evelyn Reynolds, Wayne and Inga Wentzel & Bill and Pat Bryan, his Uncle Pat Reynolds and Uncle Gary Bryan. He is survived by his wife Shana Wentzel of Grand Junction, CO; son Bradley (Kellie) Martinez, and their children Robert, Millanya and Charlie of Grand Junction, CO; Parents Alice and Dick Bryan of Colorado Springs, CO; Sister Lisa (Carl) Schmidt, and their children Timothy, Mary Alice, and Matthew, of Colorado Springs, CO. Along with many nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles whom he cared for and loved. 
A celebration of life will be held March 30, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Downtown Vineyard Church, 402 Grand Ave. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to St. Baldrick’s foundation or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, two foundations Greg held near and dear to his heart and whom he helped raise funds for, for many years.