Mateo Sanchez Jara

On Monday, July 1, 2019, Mateo Sanchez Jara, loving husband and father of three children, passed away at the age of 89. Mateo was born in Rocky Ford, Colorado to parents Ascension Jara and Estefana Sanchez on September 21, 1929, the youngest child to Ascension and Estefana. Mateo emigrated to his parents' home country of Mexico at the age of 3. He made the long trip back to the United States in 1946 to seek work. He worked a number of labor jobs before ending up working for Burlington Northern for 9 years and 9 months. After that, he found a career working for Falls Construction for 38 years, retiring in 1987. Mateo loved construction work, and made a living outside of work remodeling his rental properties. Outside of work, he liked hunting with his sons and fishing with his wife, and he dutifully drove the boat while she fished. Mateo was a lover of music, and would play guitar for his family and his pet cockatiel birds, who would sing along as he played. He will be remembered as hard working, generous, compassionate, and kind-hearted. He was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine; and his sons, Sam and Santos. Mateo is survived by his longtime companion, Carmen Coronado; his son, Paul (Bonnie); stepson,Mike Lira; 7 grandchildren;5 great-grandchildren;and several step-grandchildren.