The memorial service for a  beloved Grand Junction restaurateur will be held this Friday. The service is open to the public, and you are welcome to attend.

Jerry Talley, the owner of Downtown Grand Junction's popular Talley's Restaurant, passed away New Year's Eve. Family and friends will gather this Friday, January 25, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Grand Junction Moose Lodge at 567 25 1/2 Road.

While I knew Jerry Talley, somehow I wasn't aware he was a member of the Moose. Over the last ten years I've probably played the Moose at least 60 or 70 times. From what I hear, Mr. Talley enjoyed spending time in the social quarters listening to Tom Keogh.

Everybody in Grand Junction knew Mr. Talley. When we posted about his passing on our web page back in early January, the page received thousands of hits.

There was one major detail I forgot to mention in that post - Mr. Talley, his wife Liz, and their restaurant helped countless people over the years. On one occasion, they assisted me with fundraising for Western Slope Honor Flight. Do you recall the "$3 All You Can Eat Biscuits & Gravy" promotion they did for Honor Flight back in March 2010? That was a huge fundraiser. They couldn't have shoehorned another person in the restaurant. For old times sake, here's a look at the studio "liner" we used for this event.

Talley's Fundraiser photo
Waylon Jordan
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Several people have mentioned the support they received from Mr. and Mrs. Talley. Many were struggling and in need of a job. I remember one waiter, I believe his name was Frank, who was convinced working at Talley's was the best job in the world. That would have been sometime around 2007. Talley's created opportunities for a large number of people.

All of the radio jocks in Grand Junction would hang around Talley's. While we're at it, here's an audio clip we ran back in August 2010 when the restaurant announced they would be closing.

I plan to attend the service this Friday, and I hope you will, too. You do not need to be a member of the lodge. If you're not familiar with the Moose Lodge, it is located on 25 1/2 Road between Pomona Elementary and Sam's Club.

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