Jarrod Albert Nay
Oct. 19, 1982 ~ July 20, 2023
Jarrod’s campfire went out after losing his brief battle with cancer on Thursday, July 20, 2023, surrounded by his family and friends.
Jarrod was born in Meeker, Colorado, at Pioneers Hospital to Pat Nay and Brenda Nay on Oct. 19, 1982. The oldest of the three boys, they made many memories. The three of them conspired to have many unsupervised and unauthorized adventures. Many of which Brenda is just finding out about. From breaking cows to lead behind a truck, riding camels, blowing microwave doors off, to lighting fields on fire, many required calls to their grandma who worked dispatch at the sheriff’s office. There are so many stories to tell of wild adventures the boys and their cousins all shared.
Jarrod’s love of horses began as a young boy and he could often be found out in the pasture grooming his horse, Brandy. That led to him starting work up river at an early age; doing pack trips, trail rides and all things horses. He also started guiding hunters on Lunney Mountain with his Uncle Brett.
Jarrod graduated from Meeker High School in 2001 after which he began the start of his mountain man career. He was the river rider at South Fork for a few years and then he went on to work at Marvine Ranch as a cowboy, guide and wrangler. After a short stint in the oil field, he went to work for 7 Lakes Ranch which eventually became Elk Creek Ranch. He worked there until his passing.
Jarrod shined as a father to Ava and Cash through his first marriage to Holly Bockenthein. Later Jarrod married the love of his life Bri and welcomed bonus daughter McKinley and daughter Delaney. Jarrod was an amazing mountain man, but an even better husband and father.
Jarrod is survived by his wife Bri and their children Ava, Cash, McKinley and Delaney; his mother Brenda Nay; his father Pat and step-mom Susan; mother-in-law Patricia Russell; his brother Matt with his wife Kindal and their children Cole and Chloe; his brother Nick with his wife Celeste and their children Trever and Hadley; brother-in-law Austin Russell; sister in law Maddie Russell; step-siblings including his brother Troy and his son Wyatt, his sister Nichole and her two children Payton and Camri, his sister Shelby with her three children Maesen, Waylen and Gunner; Grandma Patricia Nay and Grandma Joanne Jolley. Jarrod is also survived by many aunts, uncles, his beloved cousins and an extraordinary group of friends.
While it is hard to imagine Meeker and our mountains without Jarrod, there are so many memories, lessons and quotes that will keep his memory alive. He was a protective big brother who never thought twice about looking out for his family and friends before himself and was more often than not putting everyone before himself on a daily basis. Through all of his adventures, he valued a good schooling in the woods and would’ve rather had a meal on the campfire over anywhere else. One of his favorite spots was on his bedroll looking up at the stars and as long as he could be outside, it didn’t matter what he was doing. Hunting, camping, branding, riding, he loved it all. His dad said he was most at home in the woods and Jarrod was quoted many times saying, “Why do you want to go home? We’re home here.” any time he was in the mountains. As we grieve the loss of this incredible mountain man who was a master of so many trades, the family would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support. In lieu of flowers, there is a GoFundMe set up to help with continuing medical expenses and donations can be made to the Woolgrowers Association Scholarship in honor of Jarrod. In the near future a college fund will be set up for the children.
Please join us to celebrate Jarrod’s life Aug. 12 at 4 p.m. at Pollard’s.
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