John Malvern Grace

John Malvern Grace passed away peacefully on September 17, 2025, surrounded by family and friends at his home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

John was born on October 16, 1946, in Prescott, Arizona, to Lillie (Kelton) and William Grace. He was the second youngest of seven siblings and moved to Steamboat Springs at age sixteen, a place he would proudly call home for more than sixty years.

A natural entrepreneur, John learned self-reliance early. In Prescott, he delivered newspapers for his father, who handed him a bag filled with papers and coins for change. When John protested that he did not know how to make change, his father simply replied, "You'll figure it out." That phrase would become a guiding principle throughout John's life.

When his mother later returned to Arizona, John chose to stay in Steamboat, living with several families while finishing high school. During his time as a football player at Steamboat High School, Coach Chuck Eubanks, his wife Betty, and their son Kimber welcomed John into their home. His only chore was to keep the fire stoked during the long winter months. John and Kimber became lifelong friends and remained as close as brothers ever since.

It was during his junior year that John met his high school sweetheart and future wife, Lenore Neish, both graduated from Steamboat High School in 1965. Between high school and college graduation, John filled his life with adventure. He once hitchhiked across the country from Steamboat to New York to catch a flight to Spain, surprising Lenore during her time abroad. Upon returning home, he was hired as a truck driver for a moving company. When asked if he had ever driven a semi-truck, he answered "no"-but, true to form, figured it out along the way, even after jackknifing the truck on I-80 in Nebraska and blocking traffic across the interstate.

John and Lenore were married in the backyard of Lenore's parents' home in Steamboat Springs on May 23, 1970. John later graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor's degree in business and began his career with the accounting firm Ernst & Ernst in Denver.

Eventually, the lure of entrepreneurship would lead him back to Steamboat, where he would begin a long career in construction and real estate development, including his largest and greatest project as an owner/operator of a gravel mine in South Routt County along Highway 131. He spent many winters snowplowing the condos and apartments in his 1969 Jeep, windows rolled down to prevent fogging.

John was a lover of adventures and was able to achieve a lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. Flying quickly became his passion-he studied airplane mechanics, devoured manuals, and loved the freedom of the skies. Aviation allowed John and Lenore to travel easily for both business and pleasure. His flying adventures led him & Lenore to a small town called Wickenburg, AZ where they were able to build a home and enjoy their winter months.

On June 12, 2025, John was diagnosed with ALS aka "Lou Gehrig's Disease". As his neurological doctor explained, John had unknowingly lived with ALS for over two and a half years before receiving the diagnosis. During that time, he faced a gradual loss of function-beginning in his dominant right arm and spreading to other parts of his body-despite two surgeries for a suspected pinched nerve, multiple MRIs to rule out stroke, and countless hours of occupational and physical therapy. Sadly, even an earlier diagnosis would not have altered the course of ALS, a disease in which most individuals live only two to five years after symptoms onset.

With his diagnosis, his one remaining wish was to fly his airplane again-a wish ALS made impossible.

John is survived by the love of his life, Lenore, married for 55 years. He is also survived by his two daughters, Susan Grace of Steamboat Springs, CO and Annette Honey, and husband Jeff of Lee's Summit, MO. He had four grandsons that he loved dearly: Michael Phalen of Steamboat Springs, CO; Eric Phalen of Bend, OR; Jack and Brendan Honey of Lee's Summit, MO; sisters Jane, Sue, and Kathy; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Dorcus, Louise, and Howard.

John faced his diagnosis with courage and grace and fought a courageous battle with ALS. He and his family were blessed with the care of Gregory W. Fulton ALS Neuromuscular Disease Center in Phoenix, AZ, and the Northwest Colorado Hospice Program in Steamboat Springs, CO. We encourage donations in John's memory to either organization.

John will be remembered for his integrity, curiosity, generosity, compassion, and adventurous spirit. He lived an admirable life-one marked by hard work, endless curiosity, and unwavering love for those around him.

Donations may be sent to:
Northwest Colorado Hospice Program
Attn: Suzi Mariano
1475 Pine Grove Road, Suite 202
Steamboat Springs, CO 80487

Barrow Neurological Foundation to benefit the Gregory W. Fulton ALS Center to continue ALS research: Donations can be made online (www.supportbarrow.org) or by mail, with checks made out to Barrow Neurological Foundation 2910 N. 3rd Avenue Suite 450 Phoenix, AZ 85013

Notation on the donation(s) can indicate they are in memory of John Malvern Grace.

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