May 14, 1971 ~ Aug. 30, 2025
Jeremy Len Lancaster passed away on Aug. 30, 2025, at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah following a short illness of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). He was 54 years old.
Jeremy was born in Rangely, Colorado, on May 14, 1971 to Terry and Christy Lancaster. His Dad was in the Marine Corps and stationed at Camp Pendleton for his first two and a half years of life. That was also where he first became a big brother when his sister Laurel was born there. He grew up in Rangely and enjoyed spending time during his younger years on his Grandpa Don’s farm playing with his Uncle Rodger, cousin Derrin and his sisters Laurel and Lendy. He graduated from Rangely High School in 1989 alongside his best friends and cousins Derrin and Amorette. During his school years he was active in sports. Baseball was his favorite. Jeremy earned All-Conference Honors as well as the Golden Glove Award and the Most Valuable Player Award in High School. He was voted Student Body President and Prom King his senior year. He also participated in Future Business Leaders of America where he campaigned for State FBLA President speaking at large conferences in Denver. Jeremy worked during his senior year at our local bank.
After high school, Jeremy joined the United States Marine Corps and went to boot camp in San Diego, California. He attended training at Camp Pendleton. He was then stationed in Okinawa for three years during the Gulf War. He finished his service in North Carolina where he was honorably discharged. Jeremy was very patriotic and proud of his time as a Marine.
After the Marine Corps Jeremy settled in Rangely and worked at the Conoco station for his Dad before moving to Nevada and working in an open pit mine. He returned to Rangely and was employed at Deserado Mine while attending the Law Enforcement Academy at Colorado Northwestern Community College. Soon after, he began his career in Law Enforcement as a patrol officer for the Town of Rangely and also a Sheriff’s Deputy for Rio Blanco County. He served on the Rangely Volunteer Fire Department-some of that time as the Fire Chief. Jeremy eventually relocated to Grand Junction and initially went to work as a safety representative in the oilfield. He later began working at the Dodge dealership where he was one of their top salesmen. He started officiating football and baseball games in Grand Junction and the surrounding area which brought him back to his hometown on many occasions. Jeremy came home to Rangely in April 2025 and worked at True Value Hardware until becoming the Assistant Manager at the Tractor Supply store where he helped get the store up and running.
Jeremy is survived by his parents, Terry and Christy Lancaster of Rangely, Colorado; two sisters: Laurel Lancaster (Erik) of Santaquin, Utah, and Lendy Lancaster of Rangely, Colorado; three children: daughter Rylie Orozco (Eli) of Maitland, Florida, son Gavin Lancaster of Grand Junction, Colorado, and son Grant Lancaster of Grand Junction, Colorado; and two granddaughters: Charlotte and Alora of Mateland, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Frank and Jane Lancaster, Don and Laurel Polley and Wallace Powell, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of life for Jeremy is planned for Sept. 27, 2025 at 1 p.m. at Cedar Ridges Golf course. As per his last request, his family will spread his ashes up above Meeker and at the Dinosaur Cemetery at a later date.
He will always be loved, never forgotten and forever missed by family and friends. Donations can be made to the Bleed Green Lancaster #17 Foundation in memory of Jeremy at any Bank of the San Juans locations or online at www.bleedgreenlancaster17.team/jeremy.
A eulogy from Jeremy Lancaster’s daughter, Rylie
While no words can fully capture who he was, we can hold onto the love, laughter, and memories he left behind.
Dad was a man who lived fully and gave fully. He was funny, always ready with a joke or a laugh, and he never missed a chance to brighten someone’s day. He loved his family more than anything and worked hard to provide for us and to set an example of strength and commitment.
He lived a life of service and community. Over the years, he wore many hats—he served as a fireman, a sheriff for Rio Blanco County, and a proud Marine. He was an umpire who loved the game, a softball player in my early years, and a proud supporter when my brothers were on the baseball field. Wherever he went, he gave his time, his energy, and his heart.
He was survived by his three children: myself, Rylie Jo Lancaster, along with my daughters Charlotte and Alora and my husband Eli Orosco; my brothers Gavin Len Lancaster and Grant Lancaster. He is also survived by his loving parents, Christy and Terry Lancaster, and his sisters, Laurel and Lendy Lancaster; nieces Rachel Charlesworth and her family of four, Madeline Pain and her family of five, nephew Caleb, Carrie, Gracie and her son, Hayden. He was truly a family man through and through.
What stands out most about my dad is how much he loved people. He had a gift for making friends wherever he went, for turning strangers into companions, and for always finding a way to connect. He was never too busy for a laugh, never too proud to lend a hand, and never too distant to remind you that you mattered.
Dad was many things to many people—a Marine, a teammate, a friend, a son, a brother—but to us, he was simply Dad. The man who cheered us on, taught us to work hard, and showed us that life is better when it’s filled with laughter.
Though we will miss him deeply, his spirit lives on—in the sound of a ball hitting a glove, in the laughter of his grandchildren, in the lessons he instilled in us, and in the countless stories his friends and family will continue to share.
Thank you, Dad, for the love, the laughter, and the life you gave us. We love you, we miss you, and we’ll carry you in our hearts always.
Rylie Lancaster Orosco
Maitland, Florida
