Daniel Montoya

Daniel Montoya Sr., 91, of Raton, New Mexico, left this world peacefully and was united with His Lord and Savior and rejoicing with his family on August 6, 2020 in Greeley, Colorado. Daniel was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Nazario & Rosaura (Marrujo) Montoya on December 5, 1928. On January 26, 1951 in Los Angeles, California, Daniel married Marie (Sanchez) Montoya. Danny lived a full life of love, laughter and happiness. He was a great story teller. He made friends everywhere he went. When we say he had a full life, it was filled with stories of the ocean, places he visited, foods that he ate and the colorful friends he met along the way. He would always greet his children and grand kids with the biggest smile, hugs & kisses and a greeting of "Hi Mi’Jito or Hi Mi’Jita!” It always made you feel special and loved. He had his special way of calling out your name, everyone had some sort of a nickname. He was always quick to offer and prepare you food or cup of coffee, which was really his way of enjoying his piece of pie and coffee at any time of the day. He always had green chile ready to put on any dish he had prepared for you. He loved sketching & painting, fishing, watching football, but he loved horse racing and going to race tracks. You would always find him studying the horses and giving out tips on which horses to bet and why. Danny was a prankster and jokester. He loved telling jokes and laughed so loud after he told them. His pranks on his neighbors & friends were priceless. He always had visitors that he deeply loved and was a loyal friend. Danny worked several jobs in California and New Mexico. Danny was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He and Marie celebrated their 69th Wedding Anniversary together in January. Although our hearts are broken, we will keep the stories and memories of his life alive until we see him again. He was definitely the OG of this family! Daniel is survived by his wife; children, Larry (Adelaida) Gutierrez, Diane (Bruce) Veltri, Bert Sparks, and Daniel (Edy) Montoya Jr., grandchildren, Tamara, Robin, Lawrence, Anita, Danielle, Melissa, Aaron, BJ, and Nathan; numerous great-grandchildren & great-great-grandchildren; and a large loving extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; 6 siblings, Cleoffas, Florencio, Rafaelfita, Gaspar, Cornelia, and George. A Celebration of Life will be at 1:00pm on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at Northern Colorado Crematory, 700 8th St, Greeley, CO 80631