Richard Dean Brenton

Richard Dean Brenton was a great man who was an early settler to Rangely, Colorado in 1946, along with his parents Dean and Lavada Brenton. He was 7 years old when he started school in Rangely, and graduated from High School in 1959. He attended College in Alamosa, Colorado for 1 year.

He married Elizabeth Ann Sanchez in 1961 and they have been married for 62 years. Upon arriving in Rangely before it was a Colorado City, Richard lived in a tent with his parents and brothers Bill and Ronnie.

Richard passed peacefully with his wife and family by his side in the early morning of March 11, 2024. The Town of Rangely has lost one of the greats of its time. We will all miss his larger-than-life stories, and zest for life. He was the smartest man we knew; he always had a plan and knew how to fix nearly any problem whether it be mechanical or common sense. We had confidence and faith in him beyond measure. Richard loved his 6 kids and numerous grandchildren.

In the Town of Rangely, he was known as the guy who knew everything about the oil field
and helped build the oil field through his leadership as a tool pusher. In the 40 years he worked on the rigs he saved numerous lives. He was the best Hunter; people would come from all over to go to Rangely to hunt with Richard. Those of us who got to know and be part of his life were incredibly blessed. He loved life and he loved Rangely. When he was 10 years old, he loved to ride horses around Rangely with his cowboy hat on and a fishing pole strapped to his back. To
hear the stories of him riding his horse as a young boy were something to be treasured.

Richard is survived by Elizabeth Brenton of Rangely, Rick Brenton of Rangely, Lisa VanCleave
of Grand Junction, Peggy Brenton of Loveland, Brenda wood of Tennessee, Elaine Brenton of Rangely, daughter in law Lisa Brenton of Vernal and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is proceeded in death by parents; Dean and Lavada Brenton, brothers; Bill Brenton and Ronnie Brenton, sister; Janet Brenton and son; Bobbie Brenton.


Funeral Mass for Richard will be held Saturday at 2:00pm at St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church (109 S Stanolind Ave). Visitation for family and friends will be Saturday from 12:30pm ~ 1:30pm, Rosary at 1:30pm all at the church. Interment in the Rangely Cemetery under the direction of the Phillips Ashley Valley Funeral Home.

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