Phillip Lujan

Phillip Roy Lujan was born March 13, 1943 in Gardner Colorado to Andrea who served in a convent for 10 years before meeting his dad Atonsia Lujan. Phil's parents were married at Sacred Heart church in Fruita. He was the youngest of 3 boys along with Eddie, and Orlie. Later on his mom also raised another baby, Cathy, who Phil considered a sister. As a young boy Phil loved school, he only spoke Spanish at first. Teachers thought Phil talked funny and required that he have some teeth pulled. You can bet he learned English fast after that if he intended on keeping the rest of his teeth.He loved school and being with his many cousins, and also being an altar boy. He was always the 1st to volunteer for special masses.At a young age his dad moved the family to Grand Junction, then to Fruita. Through his childhood they farmed for several of the local farmers where they worked long laborious hours, hoeing, planting, and harvesting the crops. Phil was the only one of the boys to graduate at Fruita High, which his mom was pretty proud of, while dad thought he needed to work longer and harder in the fields. In his high school years he enjoyed dancing and was a part of the "Rockers" along with his sister-in-law Alicia, that use to gather in Downtown Fruita. As a young man Phil loved to slick back his hair (that never changed) and get a ride to town to check out the "chicks" until he got his own set of wheels and could cruise into town. He always claimed to be one of the first to get a car. In 1960 he and his good buddy Paul went down to enlist in the Armed Services, but somehow the Navy took Phil and Paul went Army. From 1960-1964 he served on the USS BLUE DD744. There he experienced many things a small town young man from Fruita would not have otherwise experienced. Up till 2023, he and Georgia continued to attend the Naval Reunions with shipmates of THE USS BLUE and there families. Oh the stories!After exiting the Navy, Phil married. Two children Mike & Katherine were born of that union, along with stepson Gene. That marriage ended a few years later where Phil then became a leader for the Chicano Movement on the Western Slope. Phil headed up and opened the Centro' in Fruita and Montrose. It was a place where Chicanos gathered, and became a community and part of the community. Phil felt very strong about bringing the people together. He spent 10 years working on the project. Despite funding from local businesses and the Dioceses of Pueblo and lots of good things happening for the people, it began to take a negative shape. Phil and others chose to close tge Centro rather then see that happen. His passion was drained. He gained employment in auto mechanics, construction, and then Headstart, where his compassion for helping people and bringing them together was again his goal.In 2006 He met his current wife Georgia. The night they met he got her number and called her everyday for the rest of his life. He talked Georgia into coming to Grand Junction to cater several of his Headstart and Elks lodge events of which he was a member. Very clever Phil!Before you knew it, he had A Taste of Heaven moving into the Elks Lodge as their exclusive caterer.Phil now inherited a whole nother family. Became step dad to Tim, and Pops to Rachel. Georgias' eldest Frances and her husband Justin grew to love him. Before you knew it there were grand kids galore. Kaylee, Brayden, Dominic, Evan, Junior and Ms Tessa. He always enjoyed having them around.Phil helped work the catering business with Georgia. He was a fast learner and thrived in the catering business with enthusiasm. They opened a banquet hall and worked it for 6 years before moving to a smaller commercial kitchen where Phil continued to work until 2021 at 78. Phil referred to his past 17 years as adventurous. What's our next adventure he would ask? There was family, dancing, work, dancing, travel, dancing, laughter, dancing. You get the point ! It took Georgia a year to learn and lots of praying, to master his dance moves. After that, the two of them couldn't stop.They could be found dancing every where, sometimes making there own music. Sister-in-law Cherri, could testify to some of those moments as Breckenridge was one of them.Nephews Kirk and Chris could also fill you in with lots of tall tales. Tia Ida's family, cousins Angel and Simon, and Gilbert were all very special to Phil. I thank our dear friends Heather & Randy for all of their love and patience while having to witness first hand, the devestation of Phils's dimenentia. They were instrumental in allowing Georgia to maintain her business and blessed her with her beloved Sophia.Phil is survived by his wife Georgia and Sophia (who dearly misses him), daughters Kathryn, Frances, and Rachel, son Tim, many grand children, cousins, and friends.Special thanks to Tracy, Robin, Ben, Savanah, Javier, Keysha, and Barbara, all who brought a special gift of caring for Phil that made his days bearable.Our Hopewest Hospice Team was amazing.God Bless you all! Till we meet again Phil! Don't forget to hold the gate open for me! All my Love and yes Phil, I know you love me more than I'll ever know.Georgia & SophiaDementia stole you, but the good memories will always live on.