Richard Wesley Tuma

Richard “Rick” Wesley Tuma

4/11/51 - 8/16/26

Rick Tuma, age 75, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2026 surrounded by his family, just days into his second bone marrow transplant.

Rick was born in Great Falls, Montana to Wesley and Marjorie Tuma. He grew up with six siblings on a farm on the Canadian border north of Cut Bank, Montana. He studied aeronautics in high school and developed a passion for flying airplanes. He took lessons and soloed and went on to achieve his A&P aircraft mechanics license.

In 1971, Rick returned to Cut Bank and married the love of his life, Jan Spillman. They welcomed two children, Travis and Andrea.

He eventually went to work for Axelson Inc. in the oilfield industry. The family relocated to Glendive where he became area manager over Montana and North Dakota. Shifting gears, the family moved to Grand Junction, CO where Rick embarked on a new career with Edward Jones. Throughout his 29 year career he earned fantastic trips that afforded him and Jan the ability to travel the world.

He became an active member of his community, volunteering for many years with the Kiwanis Club, serving on the Crime Stoppers Board and was chairman of the CMU Foundation. A lifelong passion for cars and motorcycles led him to own every generation of Corvettes and to enjoy Harley trips with his buddies. He was a longtime member of Bookcliff Country Club. He found great pleasure watching and cheering on his grandchildren at many sporting events.

Rick is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Jan; his children, Travis Tuma of Grand Junction, CO, Andrea (Eric) Nygren of Westminster, CO, and his cherished grandchildren, Elsa and Gunnar Nygren. Sisters, Leni Gaston, Roxie Robin, Lori (Terry) Williamson, Marlene (Bob) Stauffer, and Elaina (Buz) Blass. Sisters-in-law, Annette (Robert) Byrne and Diana Spillman and nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution to the Grand Junction Kiwanis Club in honor of Rick Tuma, P.O. Box 1377, Grand Junction, CO, 81502, gjkiwanis@gmail.com; or Huntsman Cancer Institute Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, donate@huntsmanfoundation.org

A celebration of life will be held on September 20, 2026, 1:00 P.M., University Center, Second Floor Terrace, Colorado Mesa University. Reception to follow