Jeff Morehead

Jeffrey Harold Morehead, 62, of Steamboat Springs, CO, passed away at home on March 11, 2026, with his beloved wife, Lura Briscoe, and treasured black cat, Tripp, by his side.

Jeff was born on December 10, 1963, in Moberly, MO, the son of the late Harold Morehead and Libby (Baker) Morehead. On September 3, 2023, Jeff was united in marriage to Lura, his life partner of more than 30 years.

In addition to his wife, Jeff is survived by his brother, Mike Morehead, and sister, Michelle (Nelson) Gibler, both of Centralia, MO; his father's life partner, Penny Petty of Paris, MO; stepmother-in-law, Mardee Briscoe; brother-in-law, Austin Briscoe, both of AZ; dear nieces and nephews Paige Clark and Brice Gibler of MO and Spencer and Jamie Bagwell of NC; step-families of Lacy Gibson and Jennifer Hill, along with several other nieces, nephews, cousins, extended relatives, and countless friends whose lives he touched.

In addition to his parents, Jeff was preceded in death by his father-in-law, James Briscoe, mother-in-law, Alexis Thomas, and sister-in-law, Maribeth Bagwell.

Jeff enjoyed a carefree and idyllic childhood during the 1960s and 1970s growing up in Park Forest, IL. He fondly referred to those years as his "wonder years," filled with friendships and adventures. During that time he pursued many interests including bicycling, skateboarding, Frisbee, Estes model rockets, photography, and his first attempts at creating short videos. Jeff graduated from Rich East High School in 1982 and later attended Southern Illinois University.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Jeff traveled nationwide as an industrial power maintenance technician. As fate would have it, he was invited on a weekend trip to Steamboat Springs and immediately fell in love with the beauty and vibe of the mountain town, deciding it would become his forever home. After settling in Steamboat, Jeff spent many years working in tourism as an airport shuttle driver, where he enjoyed meeting new people and sharing the place he loved with visitors.

Jeff called Steamboat Springs home for 35 years, fully embracing the mountain lifestyle and pursuing many passions. He loved mountain biking, climbing the mountain with skins on his skis before carving the first tracks down fresh powder, gardening, practicing yoga, and capturing life through photography and video. He also enjoyed cruising around town in his beloved 1967 Chevelle and 1969 GMC pickup and always looked forward to Lura's famous Tuesday night steak night.

Jeff was an outgoing, funny guy who never met a stranger. He will be remembered for his adventurous spirit and love of the mountains. Whether skiing, riding mountain trails, tending his garden, or capturing moments through photography and video, Jeff embraced each day with curiosity and gratitude. The Rocky Mountains were not just the backdrop of his life-they were his home, his playground, and a reflection of the life he chose to live: bold, free, and full of adventure. His presence will be deeply missed by those who loved him, but his spirit will shine bright in the mountains and countless memories shared with family and friends.

Jeff's greatest joy was working and volunteering at the Yampa River Botanic Park, one of Steamboat Springs' beloved attractions. Jeff poured countless hours into cultivating the gardens, volunteering, and warmly guiding visitors through the paths he helped create. Sharing the beauty of the park and its osprey nest with others brought him immense pride and happiness.

In honor of Jeff's dedication and love for the gardens, memorial contributions may be made to the Yampa River Botanic Park, PO Box 776269, Steamboat Springs, CO 80477.

A celebration of Jeff's life will be held at a later date.

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