Center resident Ben Gallegos, 96, passed away September 27, 2017 at the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center with his loving family by his side. Ben was born on May 5, 1921 in La Garita, Colorado, the son of Teofilo Gallegos and Bersabel Aguilar Gallegos. He was united in marriage to Helen M. Serna and the two shared a long and happy union for over 50 years. Ben was a member of the Knights of Columbus of Center as well as the S.P.M.D.T.U. He was an exceptional and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, brother, cousin and friend who was skilled at carpentry, liked doing crossword puzzles, gardening, playing his hand held games, going fishing and ice fishing, His greatest joy in life was the time he spent with his children, grandchildren, family and friends.

Survivors include his daughters Frances Quintana of Colorado Springs, CO; Dora Trujillo, Ida Gallegos all of Center, CO; Sarah Felix (Robert Valdez) of Alamosa, CO; daughter-in-law Lucy Madrid of Colorado Springs, CO; sons Henry (Margaret) Gallegos of Broomfield, NM; Archie (Georgia) Gallegos of Center, CO; son-in-law Laurence Gallegos; 25 grandchildren, 59 great-grandchildren, 23 great-great-grandchildren, sisters Madeline Gonzales of Denver, CO; Vergie (Alex) Hurtado of Colorado Spring, CO; brothers Tony (Ida) Gallegos of Pueblo, CO. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents Teofilo and Bersabel Gallegos, wife Helen Gallegos, son Bobby Gallegos, daughter Rose Gallegos, granddaughter Brenda Maul, Lisa Chavez, grandsons Gary Gallegos, Fabian Trujillo, Adam Gallegos, sisters Julia Salazar, Antonia Trujillo, Ernestine Herrera, brothers Abel Gallegos, Rudy Gallegos, Herman Gallegos, Joe Gallegos and Ramon Gallegos.

A Vigil Service with Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Monday, October 2, 2017 at 7:00 PM at St. Frances Jerome Catholic Church in Center. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 11:00 AM also at St. Frances Jerome Catholic Church. Interment will follow at the La Garita Cemetery. The care of arrangements have been entrusted to Romero Funeral Home of Monte Vista.