Don Gallegos

DON GALLEGOS Funeral Mass for lifelong Cortez resident Don Gallegos will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, January 20 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Summit Ridge Cemetery. Reverend Joseph L. Gallegos, C.R. will officiate. Military honors will be provided by Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Rosary services will be held Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Don was born on November 1, 1930 in Dolores the son of Jos Guillermo and Filomena (Muniz) Gallegos. He passed away on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Southwest Memorial Hospital at the age of 79. On December 6, 1958, Don married Maria Emilia Espinoza in Cortez. Don spent much of his life working as a Uranium miner and driller. Don also worked for the Montezuma County Road Department as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic. Don was a proud member of the V.F.W. and Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. A cowboy at heart, Don enjoyed sheepherding, working with horses, camping, hunting, and fishing. He also enjoyed time at the casino and playing with his grandchildren. Surviving Don are his wife, Emily Gallegos of Cortez; and his children, Felipe Gallegos, Tim Gallegos and wife, Bonnie, and Donna Vazquez and husband, Leonel. Don also leaves behind his grandchildren, Leo Vazquez Jr., Mario and Mariah Vazquez, Annita, Domingo, Don, Shaun, Emilia, Desiree, and Sarah Gallegos; and his siblings, Tavy Gallegos, Marvine Lobato and husband, Pat, Martha Maez and husband, Bob, Leova Brinkerhoff, Margaret Cordova and husband, Tom, Mary-Alice Gonzales, Eva Horne and husband, Gary, and Linda Valencia and husband, Pete. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Felomena Gallegos; by his brother, Bill Gallegos; by his sister-in-law, Celia Gallegos; and by his brothers-in-law, Joe Gonzales and Terry Brinkerhoff. Memorial contributions may be made in Don Gallegos' name to Dolores State Bank.