Michael Montoya…June 20, 1953 – July 3, 2017

 

A Memorial Mass for Michael Montoya will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 10, 2017 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Las Animas, Colorado. Father Henry Wertin will officiate. A Rosary/Scripture service will take place at 9:30 a.m. also at the church. Inurnment will follow at the Bent/Las Animas Cemetery.

Michael Ray Montoya was born on June 20, 1953 to Mary Esther (Marquez) Montoya on Selfridge Air Force Base in Michigan and passed away on July 3, 2017 in Las Animas, Colorado, at the age of 64.

Michael, known to most as “Mike” or “Monte”, graduated from Las Animas High School in 1971. After graduation, he attended Otero Junior College for two years and then went on to Adams State University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education. Mike first taught in Cheraw for eleven years and then later in Las Animas for seventeen years. He married the love of his life, Felicia “Pauline” Saucedo in 1988. Mike was a member of the Las Animas City Council and of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Mike left his mark on many hearts, minds, lives and on our community with the purchase of land from Bill Miller that he and Robert “Sonny” Smith developed into the softball fields for the city and our local youth. Together, they founded the LA Softball program. He was an assistant coach of the 2005 LA State Championship Baseball team. He also coached wrestling and could boast coaching two state champion wrestlers. Monte was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle and he will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. In his words, “Find the beautiful in everyday!”

Mike is survived by his wife, Felicia “Pauline” Montoya of Las Animas, Colorado; children, Jessica (Antonio) Manning of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Andrew Montoya of Lanai, Hawaii and Ariel (Raul) Gutierrez of Las Animas, Colorado; brother, Jonathan (Sharla) Montoya of Lamar, Colorado; sisters, Kim (Pat Wells) Montoya of Liberty Lake, Washington, Michelle Tabares of Edmond, Oklahoma, Cheri Martenson of Las Animas, Colorado and Jennifer Montoya of Marble, Colorado; grandchildren, A.J Manning, Joaquin Manning and Jaden Gutierrez.

He was preceded in death by his mother Mary Esther Montoya; siblings, Gregory and Brent Montoya; grandparents, Joe and Mary Marquez; and of course, Sadie, Shadow and Sally.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name, in care of Horber Funeral Chapel, P.O Box 431, Las Animas, CO 81054.

For more information, or to leave online condolences, please visit http://www.horberfuneralchapel.com

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