Elias Montoya, 79

DEL NORTE—Del Norte resident Elias C. Montoya, 79, passed away July 16, 2017 at the Rio Grande Hospital in Del Norte with his loving family by his side.
Elias was born on Feb. 24, 1938 in Center, the son of Joe Norberto Montoya and Genevieve Tafoya Montoya. Elias served and was a veteran of the United States Army. He served from 1956 to 1960, then went on to the National Guard. Upon his completion of duties in the service he was united in marriage to Mary Elizabeth Cortez on Oct. 8, 1959 in Taos, N.M.
Elias was a kind, loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend who enjoyed woodwork, and his passion in life was working on old cars and spending time with all his children and grandchildren. He will be dearly missed.
Survivors include his wife Mary E. Montoya of Del Norte; daughters Jenny (John) Gallegos of Del Norte; Donna (Mark) Martinez of Monte Vista; Rachele (Mark) Areano of Del Norte; Ursula (Art) Medina of Denver; son Elias (Valerie) Montoya Jr., of Colorado Springs; grandchildren Lukjohn Gallegos, Julian (Renee) Gallegos, Jennelle Gallegos, Mark (Ericka) Martinez, Justin Martinez, Shawna Montoya, Kayla Montoya, Nikki Lea Montoya, Ronique Gallegos, Rory (Victoria Chavez) Gallegos, great-grandchildren Rachel Gallegos, Malachi Gallegos, Robbie Taylor, Kaitlyn Gallegos, Noah Gallegos, Kahlia Montoya, Andrea Martinez, Brianna Martinez, Esmere Montoya, Milianna Montoya, Damien Montoya, Dyaimonte Moreno and Diahmon Moreno; sister Olivia (Joe) Maez, Bertha Robles both of Denver; brother Ernest (Donna) Montoya of Del Norte, brother-in-law John Jimenez of Denver. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Elias is preceded in death by his parents Joe and Genevieve Montoya, sister Frances Jimenez, sister-in-law Julia Duran and one brother Dave Montoya.
Viewing and visitation will be held on Friday, July 21 from 2-5 p.m. at the Romero Funeral Chapel in Monte Vista. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 22 at 1 p.m. at the Del Norte High School Gymnasium in Del Norte. Interment will follow at the Del Norte Cemetery with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Rio Grande Hospital.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Romero Funeral Home of Monte Vista.