Fred Deherrera

Fred DeHerrera, 71, passed away on August 24, 2016 at his home in Rocky Ford with his wife Vita and daughters Anita and Sharon by his side. He was born on December 8, 1944 to Rafael & Amada (Archuleta) DeHerrera in Pueblo.

Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Community Presbyterian Church in Rocky Ford with Pastor Virgil Ortega of the Full Gospel Church officiating.

Fred retired from the La Junta Municipal Light Plant in December, 2006 and had previously worked at Big R in La Junta as well as Wiley Oliver, Rusler Implement, Wilhelm’s Feedlot and Ordway Feeds. He also taught auto mechanics briefly at Otero Junior College. He served as a Nominating Commission Member for the Sixteenth Judicial District and was recognized for his contributions by the Supreme Court of the State of Colorado in 1991. He was a member of the Toastmasters and served on the board of Arkansas Valley Credit Union and St. Peter’s Catholic Church. He was a past deacon at Faith Assembly of God in Rocky Ford and, up until the time of his death, was an active member of the Full Gospel Church in Rocky Ford.

Fred was also active in the Rocky Ford community through his leadership with local 4-H community livestock program.

In addition to his wife of 52 years, and daughters, Anita (Warren) Sawicki of Pueblo; and Sharon (Tim) Grasmick of Windsor, CO; he is survived by grandchildren Caleb & Rachael Sawicki of Pueblo; Erica, Joshua, and Tyler Grasmick of Windsor, CO; sisters, Erlinda (Fred) Lopez of Rocky Ford; Gloria Lopez of Pueblo; brother, Lawrence (Maria) DeHerrera of Prescott, AZ; sister-in-law, Frances DeHerrera of Rocky Ford; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Toby DeHerrera, and granddaughter Jessica Sawicki.

Among his hobbies, Fred enjoyed fishing and raising livestock part-time but enjoyed singing immensely and was always ready with a song to share in a local church’s Sunday evening worship service or with the congregation at Faith Assembly and, later, the Full Gospel Church. He enjoyed traveling with his wife and had enjoyed trips to Mexico, Japan, Hawaii, and Washington D.C. along with several cruise vacations. A family man to the core, he was always thrilled to spend time with his daughters and their families, his and his wife’s siblings, and his nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his family as well as the countless friends he touched through his faith, his sense of humor, and his overall enthusiasm for life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Arkansas Valley Hospice, PO Box 408, La Junta, CO 81050 direct or through the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.