James L. Penasa — lifelong Coloradan, long-time Montrose resident, veteran and long-time active member of Zion Lutheran Church — passed away on May 7, 2018, at his home.  Jim was born to Italian immigrant parents Serafino and Mary Penasa in Rico, Colorado.  Jim attended grade school at the one-room school in Ophir and in Telluride. The family then moved to a farm west of Montrose where Jim graduated from Montrose High School with the close-knit class of 1950.

Jim served seven years with the military; three years with a National Guard Infantry Company; and then with the Navy, serving four years aboard submarines during the Korean Conflict. After his stint with the military, he became employed as a West End uranium miner and as fate would have it, he married the boss’ daughter! He and Marie had 57 wonderful years together.