Obituaries

Obituaries in La Junta Colorado and

Kathleen Masias

Kathleen Masias

Dec 25, 2022

Kathleen Masias of Pueblo West, formerly of La Junta, 84, passed away on December 25th at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo, CO after a short illness. She was born on February 13th, 1938 to Tony and Rose (Whatley) Jaquez in La Junta, CO. Kathy, as she was commonly known, married Eliseo Joe Masias, Jr. in Raton, New Mexico on April...

Lina Mae Rector

Lina Mae Rector

Dec 24, 2022

Lina Mae Rector, 79, of La Junta, went to be with the Lord on December 24, 2022, who was surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 4, 1943, in Corvallis, Oregon to Warren and Viola Currey.

She married Michael Rector in Nebraska in 1963 and they had three children, Bill, Dawn and Shannon. They moved to Swink in 1976...

James Douglas Mcknight

James Douglas Mcknight

Dec 23, 2022

James Douglas McKnight, (Jim) of La Junta, Colorado passed away Friday, December 23rd, 2022, at the age of 70. Jim passed away in his home on 2002 Raton Ave. in La Junta with his family by his side.

Jim was born in Kansas City, Missouri on October 29th, 1952, to Vincent F. McKnight and Betty Jo McKnight, raised by his mother...

Joshua Keith Kirby

Joshua Keith Kirby

Dec 21, 2022

Joshua Keith Kirby, 45, passed away on December 21, 2022, peacefully in his sleep in Westcliffe, Colorado. He was born on November 30, 1977, in Danville, Illinois to Theresa (Kirby) Romero & Fred Kochell.

Josh is survived by his wife, Amber Kirby of the Fowler home; daughter, Zavanna; his beloved dog/son, “Buddy”; mother, Theresa Romero; father, Fred Kochell; brothers, Fred Hansbrough...

Lupe Gonzales

Lupe Gonzales

Dec 19, 2022

Lupe Gonzales, 74, of Pueblo West, passed away on December 19, 2022, peacefully at her home surrounded by her family. She was born on May 19, 1948 in La Junta to Marcelino & Tomasa Vasquez. Lupe married Benny A. Gonzales; he preceded her in death on June 17, 2022.

She is survived by her children, Ronnie Gonzales, Richard Gonzales, and Sherry...

Peggy Louise Horn

Peggy Louise Horn

Dec 16, 2022

Peggy Louise Horn, 77, passed away on December 16, 2022, at her La Junta home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 28, 1945, in La Junta to Albert & Bertha (Robbins) Will.

She was a loving mother and grandmother. She will always be remembered for responding with “love you more” to her children and grandchildren and was...

Larry Lopez

Larry Lopez

Dec 15, 2022

Larry Lopez, 60, went home to be with the Lord on December 15, 2022, at his La Junta home surrounded by his family. He was born in La Junta on October 17, 1962, to Alex Sr. and Agnes Lopez.

He was a twin and the youngest of 12. The twins were born on their father’s 44th birthday which made the newspaper...

Jose G. Rizo

Jose G. Rizo

Dec 10, 2022

Jose Rizo, 91, passed away on December 10, 2022 at his La Junta home. He was born on April 5, 1931 in Jalisco, Mexico to Salvador & Epiffana (Espinoza) Rizo. He married Sadie Martinez on Nov. 1, 1954 in La Junta; she preceded him in death on May 19, 2012.

Jose became a U.S. Citizen on June 14, 1956. He worked...

Ralph Daniel Round

Ralph Daniel Round

Dec 9, 2022

Ralph Daniel Round, 85, passed away unexpectedly on December 9, 2022, at his La Junta home. He was born on August 4, 1937, in La Junta to Ralph & Blanche (Whitlock) Round. He married Lora Jane Snelson on July 29, 1956, in La Junta; she preceded him in death in 2013.

He lived and worked his entire life on the family...

Jean M. Fulton

Jean M. Fulton

Dec 9, 2022

Funeral services for Jean M. Fulton, 102, of La Junta will be held at the La Junta United Methodist Church on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Lynne Tabb officiating. Interment will be at Ft. Lyon National Cemetery at 12.30 p.m. Mrs. Fulton died in Fowler, Colorado on December 9, 2022.

She was born a twin to Robert...

Deborah Ann Canaday

Deborah Ann Canaday

Dec 8, 2022

Deborah Ann Canaday, 63, of La Junta was called home to her Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 8, 2022. She is at peace following her courageous battle with cancer.

Debbie was born on May 26, 1959, in Florence, Colorado to Everett and Patricia (Harrow) Babb. During high school she met the love of her life John Canaday, Sr. and they...

Harold Ross Vance

Harold Ross Vance

Dec 7, 2022

Harold Ross Vance, 84, of La Junta, passed away on December 7, 2022, at the Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs. He was born in Akron to LaDene & Ellen Elizabeth (Ross) Vance on April 10, 1938.

Harold worked for Mountain Bell for 30 years; Continental Airlines for 10 years and the Coal Creek Fire Department for 20 years.

He enjoyed building rideable...

Vernon John Proctor

Vernon John Proctor

Dec 7, 2022

Vernon John Proctor, 62, of Rocky Ford, Colorado passed away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. He was born December 20, 1959, in Rocky Ford, to Vernon Eugene and Joan Wilda (Fraser) Proctor.

He attended grade school at Vroman and finished his school career at Rocky Ford High School. He graduated with the class of 1978. He...

Robert James "Bobby" Perry

Robert James "Bobby" Perry

Dec 4, 2022

Robert James “Bobby” Perry was welcomed into Jesus’ arms on December 4, 2022, with his wife and daughter by his side. Bobby was born on May 5, 1961, to James Robert “Bob” & Betty Jo (Ewers) Perry in Rocky Ford.

Bobby was a proud Meloneer and graduated with the class of 1981. Bobby went to trade school for truck driving and...

Miguel D. "Mike"  Encinas

Miguel D. "Mike" Encinas

Nov 29, 2022

Miguel D. “Mike” Encinas, 89, known lovingly as Papa, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, brother dad, uncle Mike, Mr. E, and Papa Smurf, returned to his heavenly home with our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at his Ordway home. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and the love of his life, Christine, by his...

Abran Anthony Lucero, Jr.

Abran Anthony Lucero, Jr.

Nov 24, 2022

Abran Anthony Lucero, Jr., 60, of Manzanola passed away on November 24, 2022, at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo. He was born on September 17, 1962, to Abran Anthony, Sr. & Maria Louisa (Romero) Lucero in Rocky Ford.

He grew up working on the family farm in Manzanola, where he lived most of his life and he graduated high school in...

Ashley Marie Paugh

Ashley Marie Paugh

Nov 20, 2022

Ashley Marie Paugh, 35, of La Junta passed away unexpectedly on November 20, 2022, in Colorado Springs. She was born on January 2, 1987, to Larry Lee & Loretta Jean (Luckaj) Green in La Junta.

We’re absolutely devastated by the loss of Ashley. She meant everything to this family, and we can’t even begin to understand what will mean to not...

Pete Ramirez Lopez

Pete Ramirez Lopez

Nov 20, 2022

Pete Lopez, 93, passed away peacefully on November 20, 2022 at his Ordway home. He was born to Isabel Lopez & Dolores (Ramirez) Lopez on April 29, 1929, in Manzanola.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Antonia “Toni”; four daughters, Barbara (Mike) Passig, Arlene (Ray) Ornelas, Theresa (Bill) Rusher and Mary Lou (William) Jones; nine grandchildren, Andy Jones,...

Verner "Vern" Lowery  Giltner

Verner "Vern" Lowery Giltner

Nov 4, 2022

Verner Lowery “Vern” Giltner, 70 passed away on November 4, 2022, at his La Junta home. He was born on March 25, 1952, in Pueblo to Elmer L. & Anna (Furzi) Giltner.

Vern made a lifelong career in HVAC, starting at Elmer’s Sheet Metal working for his dad and ending at Armor Sheet Metal in La Junta.

He had three loves starting...

Theresa Jiron

Theresa Jiron

Oct 27, 2022

Theresa Jiron, 68, of La Junta passed away on October 27, 2022, at the Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs. She was born in La Junta to Jesus & Mary (DeHerrera) Jiron.

Theresa was full of life, always happy go lucky and energetic. There was never a dull moment when she was around. She was always making you laugh. She was a...