Myk Reid Grauss

Myk Grauss of Laporte, CO, passed away on May 12, 2026.

Myk was born in Lansing, MI, on April 27, 1951.

He moved to Colorado to start a business; "The Denver Fun Book" in 1971. Myk managed several restaurants. He worked construction for a while, and he was a part owner operator of a local sprinkler system business, where he drafted/designed the systems as well as installed them. He was a skilled electrician, adept at auto mechanics, liked to think of himself as a plumber on occasion, and wasn't afraid to share his opinion on any of these sorts of tasks he may have been watching someone else work on. Myk was instrumental in getting medical Marijuana legalized in Colorado in 2000. He was issued a patent on July 4, 2006, for an adjustable-height creeper used by mechanics.

Myk met Jill Yocom on May 7, 1983, telling her ON that day that he would marry her. They were married August 31, 1985 and Jill stayed beside him for the rest of his life, sitting beside him up to his final moments. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Clarence and Grace, his mother Eleanore, his brother Jamie, and his beloved brother-in-law and lifelong friend Duane. He's got several close friends waiting for him on the other side. Also, several excellent pets.

He is survived by his wife Jill, his sister Leslie, 4 brothers-in-law and their wives. Nieces, nephews, some very special friends... and Martha ♡

Myk's favorite thing was The Grateful Dead. Jill was raised on country music, so early in their relationship Myk and Jill made a deal: a Jerry Garcia concert at the Rainbow Theater in Denver, then a Charlie Daniels concert at the Rainbow Theater in Denver. Both concerts were excellent and helped them seal their deal. Myk was able to travel to several Grateful Dead shows around the country and always had the most fun.

Myk's do or die dream from childhood was to become a scuba diver, thanks to Lloyd Bridges in the TV series Sea Hunt. In 1988 he had to get Jill drunk in order for her to agree to scuba instructions in spite of her fear of water. With her in tow, and still drunk, Myk raced to the scuba shop to sign up for classes. He continued in scuba training until he achieved his Master Diver certification. (He thinks he's cool.)

One thing about scuba, for Mykie, was knowing he could descend to 99 feet below the surface. At that depth the pressure outside his body equaled the pressure inside his body, creating his truly only pain-free environment. He LOVED 99 feet. Big bubbles, no troubles. EE Cummings said "For whatever we lose, like a you or a me, it's always our self that we find in the sea."

Being the generous man he was, "the shirt off his back" is a familiar phrase. He also could be a stubborn asshole though. In fact, when he and Jill first met he told her, "You can't call me an asshole and you can't call me a bastard." Jill replied, "Well Buddy, you gotta pick one."
But, to his real friends, the one's who know how he'd get angry or frustrated, or he'd get distracted and disappear for a while. Sooner or later he'd show back up. Because he loved you. And he told you. You know who you are. He would have given you the shirt off his back.

Please remember Mykie with a smile, or a nod. Maybe with a Dead twirl. 🎼 He is knocking on heavens door but his love will not fade away 🎶 He'll be walking out in that morning dew. Making his bed by the waterside.🎵 He's gone. Going home. Fare thee well. 🎶

"Death is the last and best reward for a life well lived." ~ Bob Weir