Obituary: Juan Alonso Chumacero Sr.

Juan Alonso Chumacero Sr.

Aug. 17, 1938~March 14, 2017
Juan Alonso Chumacero Sr. passed away peacefully at his home on March 14, 2017. Juan was born in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Aug. 17, 1938, to Benito Chumacero and Paula Pena Chumacero. Juan lived his childhood in Texas along with his older brother and younger sister.
On Nov. 9, 1958, he married his one and only true love and sweetheart Aurora Gutierrez. As a young couple they made their way to California to start careers and a family. Juan was blessed with a son and daughter and lived a busy life filled with camping, boating, hunting and fishing trips He taught both of his children to enjoy life and live it to the fullest but to accomplish that you must work hard.
Juan started out working for Minute Maid, a division of Coca Cola. He worked there for seven years but then made his final career move to Lucky Stores working a warehouse job. While working at Lucky Stores (30 years worth) he made friendships that lasted his entire life.
When Juan retired in 1996 he and Aurora decided to make the big move to Colorado to join his son and family and enjoy a little slower paced life. While in Rangely Juan enjoyed everything this small town had to offer. Mostly he loved his drive in the hills. It didn’t take long for him to become familiar with the backroads, perhaps even better than some of the locals. “The Hills”—yes, that is where Juan found his next passion in life.
Championing for the sheepherders in Rio Blanco and Moffat counties became a way of life for him. As a friend and colleague said, “In the land of the shepherds, Juan was the master shepherd. It was he who never lost anyone under his watch, who never turned away anyone in need. For those who were defenseless, he defended them, and the lonely were accompanied, and the friendless he befriended and those in need were provided for.” No truer words have been spoken about Juan. They not only applied to the herders but everyone he held dear in life.
Juan is survived by his loving wife Aurora Chumacero; his son Juan Jr. (Lily) Chumacero; his daughter Sonia Chumacero; his three grandchildren, Tatiana (Damien) Coatney, Whitney (Jon) Fischer, Juan Chumacero III (JC); four great-grandsons, Andrew, Johnny, DJ and Levi; also brother Benito Chumacero and sister Maria Harmon.
Preceding Juan in death were his father, his mother and two infant grandsons.
Per Juan’s wishes there will be a private family memorial at a later date.