Longtime Romeo resident Otoniel "Otto" Espinoza, 74, gained his angel wings on March 2, 2024. He passed away peacefully at his home under Hospice Care with his loving family by his side. Otto came into the world on Sept. 22, 1949, the beloved son of Josephine (Mestas) Espinoza and Otoniel Espinoza. He graduated from Adams State College.
Otto was well known and loved throughout the San Luis Valley. He was able to touch the lives of many as a teacher, administrator and rancher. He loved to be able to impact the life of his students and community and help anyone he could. In his free time, Otto loved ranching, watching sports, being outdoors and spending as much time as he could with his family and friends.
He will live on through his loving wife Sara Atencio-Espinoza, sons Otto J. Espinoza (James Greer) of Henderson, Colo.; Jason Espinoza (Bandy Clark) of Manassa, Colo.; siblings Nellie Valdez, Josephine Mendoza, Amabel Sanchez, Juanita Mandel, Amanda Rendon, Rosemarie Boyd, Ermalinda Saefeow, Norma Wolfley and Ricardo F. Espinoza. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Otto was preceded in death by his parents Otoniel and Josephine Espinoza, brother Michael Espinoza, sister Rebecca Wedge, nephews Andy Valdez, Gerard "Wardy" Valdez and Dominic Sanchez.
Vigil Service with Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. and Mass of the Resurrection to follow at 2 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Conejos. Inurnment will be held at Los Cerritos Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Otto's name to the American Cancer Society.
To leave the family online condolences, please visit romerofuneralhomes.com. The care of arrangements has been entrusted to Romero Funeral Home of Alamosa.
