Jose M Anaya-Soto

February 12, 1928 - June 4, 2015

José M. Anaya Soto, passed away peacefully in his daughter’s home on June 4, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. José was 87 years old. José was born in Villa Ocampo Durango, Mexico in 1928. José worked on his family’s ranch for many years, along with his 25 brothers and sisters. He was the second youngest and the last survivor of his siblings. In 1949, José married his first wife Cristina Rendón, and immigrated in 1962, under The Bracero Program. José traveled all over the United States before eventually settling in Torrington Wyoming in 1967. José and Cristina had 13 children before she unexpectedly passed away in 1975. José remarried in 1978. He married Maria de Jesús Vasquez. After being married 33 years, he widowed for the second time. In his free time, José enjoyed planting, caring for his livestock, and trying his luck with power ball and scratch-off lottery tickets. José was a man of faith, charismatic, witty, and a gifted storyteller. José also took pleasure in the simple things such as a call to family and friends or a leisure drive around town. Surviving him are his loving children, and their spouses: Lupe (Marcos) Martinez, Mercedes (Luis †) Mendez, Jesús (Elsa) Anaya, Alfredo (Maria) Anaya, Cristina Colling, José (Norma) Anaya, Yolanda (Martin) Juarez, Martin (Claudia) Anaya and Sonia (Enrique) Loya. Jose is further survived by twenty eight grandchildren, and twenty four great-grandchildren with two more on the way. José was preceded in death by his parents Refugio and Eusebia, his four children Jesús, Jesús, Angel, Sergio, his first wife Cristina, and his second wife Maria de Jesus. Visitation hours will be held Sunday June 7, 2015 at Colyer Funeral Home from 3:00-5:30 pm with a Rosary service beginning at 6:00 p.m. at St. Rose Catholic Church. Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 8, 2015 at St. Rose Parish Hall. Burial services will follow at Valley View Cemetery. José was deeply loved and will be missed by many. Gracias padre por sus enseñanzas, cariño y unidad de familia, y amor al trabajo agrícola. Siempre lo recordaremos.