Patrick Gleason

Patrick Leonard Gleason passed away peacefully in his home in Salt Lake City, Utah on Thursday February 19th, 2026.

Patrick was born in Denver, Colorado on July 22, 1955 to George and Mary Jean Gleason as the fifth of seven children. He attended Boulder High School and received his Bachelor's degree in Business from Notre Dame. While in college, he competed on the ski team and won a National Championship with the fencing team. He later moved to Southern California, where he met his wife Dede (divorced) and had his first child, Keith. They subsequently moved to Glenwood Springs, Colorado, then Redstone, Colorado, where his daughter Mackinna was born. The family later settled in Boulder, Colorado, where his children finished their schooling. Patrick moved to Alma in 2008, his home for most of the remainder of his life.

Patrick started his career in sales and transitioned into real estate, working as an appraiser and an agent. He briefly went back to school, studying Architecture, but rediscovered his passion for teaching skiing which prompted his move to Alma. He worked as a ski instructor, first at Breckenridge, then later at Copper Mountain. This was his true calling, and he loved teaching especially the younger generation of skiers, who affectionately knew him as Gumby. He taught skiing through the 2025 season, in spite of his ongoing battle with cancer. He remained active in real-estate, serving as a hearing officer for appeals of commercial real estate valuations in Denver County.

He continued to become more involved in his beloved community of Alma and made his way onto the town board, where he served as a board member for over three years. In his final year in Alma, he also served as mayor pro-tem. His community meant the world to him, and he was involved in improving the town's water system, town zoning, and public access to nearby 14er peaks.

Patrick relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah in December 2025 to be closer to his son Keith, daughter-in-law Bianca, and first grandchild Finn. The entire extended family rallied around Patrick to help get him moved and help him through this major life transition. In his short time in Salt Lake, he was able to spend significant time with his family and was able to experience Finn's first Christmas and first Birthday.

Although Patrick was mild-mannered, his positivity, infectious energy, and terrible dad-jokes raised the spirits of those close to him, and all of those he interacted with. He was happiest when he was on skis (whether teaching kids or skiing for fun), riding his road or mountain bike, watching Notre Dame football, enjoying the outdoors with one of his many dogs over the years, listening to music, reading, and spending time with his large family, children, and grandson. His positive impact lives on in his family, the young skiers he taught, and his beloved community of Alma.

Patrick is survived by his children Keith and Mackinna, his grandson Finn, and his siblings Judy (Tom) Wright, Jim (Karen) Gleason, Bob (Penelope) Gleason, Nancy (Greg) Warren, Marilyn (Ed Colby) Gleason, and Gary Gleason, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents George and Mary Jean Gleason and sister-in-law Carolyn.

A small memorial service will be held in May in the town of Alma.

A special thanks to Patrick's siblings and their spouses for being an incredibly supportive family throughout his life, and especially in his later years as he battled cancer. Many, many powder turns will be made in his memory.

Donations in Patrick's honor can be made to:

The Alma Foundation

Anschutz Cancer Center

Summit County Animal Shelter

Protect our Winters