Jose Robert Montoya

Jose Robert Montoya, 89, of La Junta was called home on May 24, 2021, at the Bent County Healthcare Center in Las Animas. He was born on July 11, 1931 to Emma (Garcia) Sanchez & Esiquiel Montoya in Holman, New Mexico.

Robert came to La Junta at the age of seven with his family and he attended La Junta public schools. In his younger years he worked setting pins at the local bowling alley, delivering newspapers and was a cook at the Blue-Bird Café, to help support his family. As a young man he worked on a traveling railroad crew laying track in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska until he was called to service in the United States Marine Corps from 1952-1955, during the Korean conflict. Upon joining the USMC, he earned his High School equivalency. He was stationed at The Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, also known as Twentynine Palms Base located in Southern San Bernardino County, California. He served with the 1952 - 1954 1st AAA AM battalion MM USMC and served as a Military Police Officer, he was able to travel across the country with his duties. He ended his military service as a Sergeant of Marines. Upon his return from active duty, he married the love of his life, Lois Arellano and they were married for 67 years. Together they raised 3 daughters in La Junta. He worked for General Motors for the next 38 years as an Auto Body Repair Specialist and was one of the best in the valley, he retired in 1993. During his career he attended many special training courses at the Auto Detail Tech Training School in Rock Island, Illinois and in Denver. He was widely recognized for his exceptional work in his profession.

Robert loved people and was a friend to all and did not know a stranger, he had a big heart, and he would help anyone in need. Robert was an avid fisherman, hunter, artist, traveler. He loved Spanish music and loved to sing and dance and watch the “cowboys” (westerns) on television. He gave endlessly of his time to anyone in need; He was witty and funny and full of knowledge. He was known for his kindness and endless energy. He loved his family and was a wonderful son, husband, father, grandpa, papa (papa-Joe). Robert was an active member of Our Lady of Guadalupe/St. Patrick Parish and for many years helped with the St. Patrick Day Dinner/Dance he also helped for many years with the set up and clean-up crew for the annual church bazaar and over the years volunteered countless hours at Jay’s Community Christmas Dinner.

He is survived by his daughters, Rose Marie Florez of West Jordan, Utah; Gail (Tim Lopez) Montoya of Colorado Springs, CO and Karen (Ray) Martinez of La Junta; grandchildren, Riko (Heather) Florez of Stansbury, UT; Aisha (Jaime) Bennett of Layton, UT; Emilia Rose Lopez-Montoya of Seattle, WA; Stephanie Ruiz of Colorado Springs, CO; Jacob Martinez of Pueblo, CO; great-grandchildren, Madison, Morgan and Elway Florez and Isabella Bennett; brothers, Gilbert Sanchez of La Junta, CO; David (Joann) Sanchez of Arvada, CO and Dale (Jacque) Sanchez of Black Forest, CO; brother-in-law’s, Dennis Sands of Klamath Falls, OR and Gary Illingsworth of Colorado Springs, CO. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois (Arellano) Montoya, parents, great-grandson, Anthony Florez Bennett, sisters, Juanita (Raymond) Foster, Lydia (Jack) Buell, Lucille Illingsworth, Elsie Reynolds, Katie Sands, Helen Otero; sister-in-law, Hastolia Sanchez Magana.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. followed by the Memorial Mass at 10:00 a.m. for Jose & Lois at Our Lady of Guadalupe/St. Patrick Parish. Inurnment will be Monday, August 30, 2021 at 11:30 a.m. at the Ft. Lyon National Cemetery in Ft. Lyon.

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