Michael Warden

Michael John Warden, a larger-than-life man whose strength, passion, and adventurous spirit touched everyone around him, was born on February 7, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan, to John and Bernice Warden.

At just two years old, Mike’s family left Detroit, from there they moved to so many places through the years. Including living in Lynwood and Sandiego California, Moab Utah, South Bend Indiana, Chicago Illinois, Grants New Mexico, Telluride Colorado and back to Altamont Utah where he would grow up shaping the foundation of the man he became. Fearless, hardworking, and deeply loyal. As a young man, Mike excelled in athletics, earning a reputation for his strength and determination. Known in high school as “Fat Jack,” he became a state champion wrestler, and nearly anything athletic or academic that he pursued. He was one of the best students and had excellent grades virtually without trying.

Mike graduated in 1971 from Altamont High School and was awarded a four-year scholarship in mining and engineering to the Colorado School of Mines. True to his independent spirit, he chose a different path, leaving college to begin working with Western Geophysical on a seismograph crew. On November 10, 1971, on his way to his first job in Bakersfield, California, he married Corinne Ottley in Ely, Nevada. Together, they had two daughters whom he adored, Marci Ann (born in 1976) and Mari Corinne (born in 1979).Together, they had two daughters whom he adored, Marci Ann (born in 1976) and Mari Corinne (born in 1979).

Mike was the oldest of seven children, a role he cherished deeply. He took great pride in being a big brother to Jamie (Mark Tracy), Doug (Rosalyn), Tom, Jodi (Eddie Liin), Randy, and Jeff, he remained closely connected to them throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Bernice Warden, and his brother, Randy Warden.

Mike built a life defined by hard work and determination. He worked throughout the oil fields across several states, learning every aspect of the industry. In 1983, he took a leap and started his own business, Warden Hot Oil Service. He later continued his career with various oil and trucking companies, eventually finding a role he truly valued with Montgomery Steel, where he worked for Wade Montgomery (as he put it, the best boss he ever had) until his retirement.

During his years in Rangely, Mike was deeply involved in his community. He hosted a safe house for domestic abuse victims and was an advocate for helping them lead safer lives away from their abusers. From 1976 to 1983, he coached a women’s softball team, bringing his competitive spirit, leadership, and love of the game to the field and creating lasting memories for those around him.

Mike was never one to stand still. Before starting his family, he and Corinne embarked on a motorcycle trip from Altamont, Utah to Spokane, Washington for the World’s Fair. Just one example of the adventurous spirit that defined his life.

Fearless by nature, Mike loved cliff diving and was an exceptional swimmer and diver, known for his ability to leap from great heights with barely a splash despite his tall, powerful frame.

In 1983, Mike discovered hang gliding, a passion that would bring him some of the greatest joy of his life. Alongside his friend Pat Cameron, he pioneer the Cliff Ridge launch site atop Blue Mountain. What began as a daring pursuit grew into a world-renowned destination, eventually hosting regional, national, and world championship hang gliding events. Mike served as Safety Director for many of these competitions, ensuring the safety of pilots from around the world and helping turn Dinosaur, Colorado into a legendary gathering place for the hang gliding community.

In 1990, Mike moved to Dinosaur, Colorado, a place that would become central to his life’s work, passions, and community impact. That same year, he met Tammy Williams, who would become the love of his life. They were married on September 1, 1996, and built a life centered on love, partnership, and family. Mike proudly stepped into the role of father to Brian and Mark, raising them as his own.

He had a deep love for the outdoors and was an avid fisherman, spending countless hours on lakes and rivers throughout Colorado. In his later years, some of his most cherished moments were spent fishing alongside his wife, Tammy. Especially in the last year, they spent so much time in their happy place (their little boat together) making this year that was one of their toughest more bearable. One of his favorite memories was a spontaneous trip to see the ocean for the first time together calling her at work and simply saying, “I think we should go Friday.” And they did.

Together, Mike and Tammy ran the HiVu Motel, which became more than just a business it became a gathering place and, during the height of hang gliding season, an informal headquarters for pilots from around the world. And in the fall it was the hunting hang out for our regular yearly hunter who loved hunting this area.

Deeply invested in his community in Dinosaur, Mike served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, where he led beautification projects that reflected his pride in Dinosaur. He painted his first mural on the B&B restaurant and designed their menus. He designed and created the original town signage, bringing a unique artistic touch and identity to the area that still stands as a reflection of his vision.

Mike will be remembered as a man who lived boldly, loved deeply, and gave everything he had to his family and his passions. He was strong, fearless, creative, and endlessly devoted a man who left his mark not only on the places he lived, but on the lives of those who knew him.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Tammy Warden; his children, Marci and Daryl, Mari and Justin, Brian, Mark and Sarah, and Cathy; his grandchildren, Kaydon and Kaylin, Shay and Portia, ShaeLynn and Cameron, Byron, Landon, Zach, Camden, Zoey, MaKenna, Paige, Hailey and Carter, and Daxton; and his great-grandchildren, Aerith and Leonidas.