John Peter Nahomenuk

John Peter Nahomenuk (Nomi) was born 10-12-60 deceased 3-6-23. (62).  John passed away suddenly at home after an extended illness.  He was born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania to John and Ann (Michalchik) Nahomenuk.  Raised in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, John graduated from Slippery Rock University in 1985.  Immediately after graduation he hopped on a bus to Canyonlands National Park with a bike and a backpack to start work in the National Park Service as a seasonal Ranger.  He worked seasonally for the BLM  (Bureau of Land Management) as a river ranger in the summer, and in the winter, as a lift ops manager for Powderhorn Ski Resort.   He did these jobs for 10 years until he was able to obtain a full-time position with the BLM in Canyon City Colorado in 1994.  He worked for the BLM in multiple capacities until 2017.  His last position was for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreational Area (AHRA), as the BLM River manager, in Salida Colorado from 2006.  He retired with 29 1/2 years of service.  John was involved with GARNA (Greater Arkansas River Nature Association),  Citizen's Task Force, and Chaffee County Heritage Board in his role for AHRA.  

The Citizens Task Force recently recognized  John with the  Fred Rasmussen Citizen Task Force Exceptional Achievement Award.  John was extremely surprised and please to hear this and was really looking forward to accepting it and seeing old friends again.  Thank you so much for recognizing all his contributions.

He loved to raft and fish on the ARK, enjoyed snowboarding at Monarch Ski Resort and was the Western chapter president of the Buzzard Town Flyers ski club from Seven Springs Ski Resort in Pennsylvania.  Golfing was a passion for him and he organized the annual Carl Spackler Invitational golf tournament for him and his friends at the Salida Golf Club. This ran for a number of years until John was unable to golf any longer.  John had a great, kind, loving heart and had many people who loved him. He was a loyal friend and awesome Brother and Uncle.  He had a wicked sense of humor and would have had a career as a stand up comic if the BLM hadn't worked out so well for him.  John had a knack to make everyone he met feel like a long time friend.  He was an active member of the local meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous and died a sober member.

 
His survived by his loving sisters, Joanne McGrew from Breckenridge, CO and Betty Ann Nemeth, her husband Rich and their daughter Hannah of North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania.  He will be so missed by his family and many loving friends and his cat Blue.  There will be a memorial service at the house at 1025 I Street on Saturday March 18th from 12-7 pm. and March 19th from 12-5.
Bring a picture or memory of John, and maybe a chair and piece of firewood.
In lieu of flowers please make any donations to GARNA (Greater Arkansas River Nature Association).

On line condolences may be sent to the family at lewisandglenn.com. Arrangements are with Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home.

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