Editor’s note: Crystal Jarmon, mother of her late son Ryan Jarmon and President of The Ryan Lance Jarmon Memorial Scholarship, wrote this reflection to honor his life.
During Ryan’s freshman year at Colorado School of Mines, he became a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and the brotherhood began. Ryan passed away in May of 2023, just before the end of his freshman year. The family received great support from many at the Colorado School of Mines, but the SAE brotherhood didn’t end there.
Shortly after his passing, a few of Ryan’s chapter brothers reached out to let the family know they would like to do one of their service projects in Ryan’s memory, to serve his hometown community. The gesture was kind enough, but in October 2023, over 50 of his SAE brothers made the six to seven-hour drive from Golden, CO, to Ryan’s hometown of Dove Creek, CO. They volunteered their time to do various projects for the local senior services and several local veterans around town.
The Pioneer Center (senior services building) in Dove Creek, CO, told the group they could create whatever they wanted from this remaining rock.
They created a memorial for Ryan, and a plaque was set there to remember him and recognize the kindness and selflessness of the fraternity. They even took the time to break the white stone into as many pieces as they needed to create the heart shape in the center.
Not only did this leave a lasting impression, but it made a profound impact on Crystal’s small, but close-knit community. But again, their support and love for Ryan did not end there.
In November 2023, the Colorado Lambda chapter held a special memorial banquet dinner for Ryan. It was such a blessing to see what a positive impact Ryan had on his friends and brothers of SAE and the amount of thought and care they put into hosting such a wonderful, well-organized event.
“The compassion they exhibited is far beyond what we would expect from young men their age. Again, this highlights the true character of these gentlemen,” Crystal mentioned.
Fast forward to October 2024, the SAEs made another six to seven-hour drive to Dove Creek, CO, to complete another service project in memory of Ryan. Not only did they take time out of their busy schedules to visit, but they also used their own money and vehicles to make the trip during midterm week. This time, the group participated in the first-ever highway clean-up project on a section of HWY 491 (MM 62-64) that Crystal adopted in Ryan’s memory.
50+ brothers showed up ready for whatever task, project, chore, etc. would be asked of them. They proved time and time again that they’re not afraid of working hard until the job is done. Many of the brothers showed up in t-shirts they’ve either purchased or had made in memory of Ryan.
“The people of our community who have received their volunteer work have commented on how polite, fun, and joyful all of them are and how much they are truly appreciated,” Crystal said.
When the work was done, they spent time in the community at a local youth football game and even spoke to prospective CSM students. They plan to visit again in October of 2025, as that would’ve been Ryan’s senior year.
If that wasn’t enough, the chapter also chose to remember Ryan in their house. They named a chapter award after him, the Ryan Lance Jarmon True Gentleman Award, and have installed a memorial plaque inside the house.
“Words will never truly express how grateful we are for the support we received from the staff at CSM, families of CSM friends/students, and especially the Colorado School of Mines SAE fraternity. They have gone above and beyond, not only as friends of Ryan’s but as human beings dealing with such a significant loss of class, respect, and compassion beyond their years. We are so grateful for them and thought their selfless acts of service and kindness deserved recognition beyond our community. To the gentlemen of Mines SAE – thank you. We have been deeply moved and impacted by your selflessness, your friendship and brotherhood to Ryan, and your compassion and love to our family,” Crystal shared.
Below, are a few of the letters of appreciation the family received from those who benefited from the service of the fraternity in and around Dove Creek, CO.
