Joseph William Yeamans

Joseph William Yeamans passed on to his heavenly home on August 25, 2025, at eighty-one years of age. He died from complications of West Nile virus and pulmonary embolism at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction.

Joe was born on April 27, 1944, in Portland Oregon to Elizabeth Marks Yeamans and William Hughes Yeamans. He moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico at the age of ten. There he had many adventures in the woods, especially delighting in river running, hiking, and cycling. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1962. He continued his education at the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York, graduating in 1966, then completed further studies at the University of Wyoming. He spent his thirty-seven-year career traveling the oceans of the world as an engineer on cargo ships.

Joe met his wife, Shirley Lawrence, a teacher, through a blind date in Los Alamos during a vacation from sea. They were married November 8, 1975, and their union lasted just short of fifty years.

After beginning their married life in New Mexico, Joe and Shirley moved to beautiful Paonia, Colorado in September of 1978. There they raised four daughters, educated them at home, camped, hiked, and cared for their hobby farm together. They spent nearly 47 years in Paonia being blessed by this valley, the mountains, and the people Joe so loved.

Following retirement from his seafaring career in 2003, Joe transitioned to caring for his property on Pitkin Mesa full time. He loved using his brilliant engineering talent to improve the irrigation infrastructure and develop a hydro-electric power generating system on his property. He could fix almost anything and always had an unfinished automotive or irrigation project. Joe had a heart for serving others and would gladly drop whatever he was doing to help whenever there was a need among his daughters, friends, or neighbors.

Joe thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family, calling them his “Ooses”. He especially loved sharing meals together with them during weekly “Survivor nights”. His faith was also very important to him, and he served in many capacities at Paonia Friends Church over the years.

Joe is survived by his wife, Shirley, of Paonia and his four daughters: Tamara Nydell (Mark) of Paonia; Laura Kvam of Hallstahammar, Sweden; Sarah Yeamans (Mike) of Denver, CO; and Christina Robinson (Jeremiah) of Paonia. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren: Grace, Ava, Gideon, Oliver, Alice, Milo, Felix, Melker, and Kasper, as well as his sister, Marie Pierce of Littleton, CO; three brothers: Mark of Dallas, TX, David of Livermore, CA, and Andy (Barb) of White Rock, New Mexico; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Steve. Though Joe will be missed here on earth, he is experiencing glory with his Lord and Savior in Heaven! He was buried on his property overlooking Mt. Lamborn and the valley he loved, surrounded by his family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Joe on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at 4 p.m. at the Friends Church in Paonia, CO, followed by a light meal.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joe’s name to the Pregnancy Resource Center; 523 Dodge St., Delta, CO 81416.