Gayle Lester Senor

Gayle Lester Senor

July 10, 1946 – September 16, 2023

Gayle Lester Senor, 77, of Rocky Ford, Colorado passed away September 16, 2023, at the Crowley County Nursing Care Center in Ordway, Colorado. Gayle was born, Wednesday, July 10, 1946, in Montpelier, Vermont to Lester H. & Arlene D. (Campbell) Senor.

After graduating from high school in Vermont, Gayle wanted to attend college in Colorado. Having been to Colorado once before, he knew he wanted to be in the mountains. Adams State College was alphabetically first in the list of Colorado colleges and it was in the mountains, so Gayle went to college there. It was at Adams State College that Gayle met Linda Cranson. She literally lit his torch in art class and they married in June, 1970.

Upon graduation from Adams State, Gayle took a job as the industrial arts teacher at Rocky Ford High School, edging out an offer from Northfield High School in Vermont by a day. Gayle taught at Rocky Ford High School for 30 years where he made many life-long friends and impacted lives through his Golden Hammer award. After retiring in 2000, Gayle worked at Rib Eye Feeders in Rocky Ford welding corrals for them.

Gayle loved his cows and began his herd with registered Herefords his dad brought out from Vermont. Feeding his cows was his favorite activity. His “girls” would come running when they heard his four-wheeler or pick up coming through the pasture.

Gayle was active in the 4-H program while his kids were involved in 4-H. Gayle and Linda both became certified shooting sports instructors and were heavily involved in the Otero County 4-H Shooting Sports program while David participated and shot in the program.

Gayle always enjoyed hunting, woodworking, and being in the mountains. He was always willing to help his buddies out with their projects. He especially enjoyed having coffee with several coffee crews in Swink and La Junta.

Mostly Gayle enjoyed attending the activities his kids and grandkids were involved in. Gayle didn’t want to miss any of the goat or beef shows or sporting events the grandkids were in.

Gayle is survived by his wife Linda Senor of the Rocky Ford home; children, Jeanie (Ryan) Nesselhuf of Fowler, CO; Danny (Lori) Senor of Granada, CO; David (Kayla) Senor of Rocky Ford, CO; grandchildren, Katie & Nate, Sarah & Tead, Hayley, Cassidy, Maddy, & Lindy; sisters-in-law, Sharon Senor of Warren, VT; Janell Cranson, Susie Turner, Mary Ann (Jim) Nichols, Denise Cranson; brothers-in-law, Russell (Marla) Cranson & Tead (Anita) Cranson. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Karl Senor.

Memorial Service will be held, Monday, September 25, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at First Church of the Nazarene in La Junta with Pastor Gail Allen of The Cowboy Church officiating. Inurnment will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery in La Junta.

Those wishing to do so can make memorial donations to Arkansas Valley Hospice at www.arkvalleyhospice.org or to Otero County 4-H Foundation, in memory of Gayle Senor, PO Box 190, Rocky Ford, CO 81067.

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