1938 - 2008
Longtime Routt County resident Guadalupe "Lupe" Arroyo of Steamboat Springs passed away peacefully at home with family members and close friends March 21, 2008. He was 69.
Lupe was born in Longmont on Nov. 13, 1938 to Mary and Isidro Arroyo. When Lupe was 6 months old, the Arroyo family moved to Oak Creek for a short time. The family then resided in Mount Harris, where Lupe graduated from Hayden Union High School in 1957. An exceptional football player and wrestler, Lupe won state titles four consecutive years. Brought up in a household of eight, Lupe worked several jobs while growing up, starting at a local lumberyard.
He married his love, Shirley Ann Chura, in 1958, where they moved to Steamboat Springs and raised five children, plus two others.
Lupe worked for the RE 2 School District as a custodian, Peabody Coal Company and the United States Postal Service, to name a few. Lupe loved to work, especially meeting new people and enjoying their company. He made and met many friends throughout his life in Routt County. While working as a custodian at Soda Creek Elementary School and the high school, Lupe became accustomed to listening to the kids he met. He would say, "It's the little things that really mean a lot to them." He volunteered for the local Sheriff's Posse, which is now Search and Rescue, participated in the local Democratic Party and was a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus member. Lupe started a business with his father, Arroyo and Son's Roofing and Janitorial Services.
His life hobbies consisted of hunting, fishing, softball, camping, Sunday picnics and spending time in the wilderness.
Lupe is survived by his amazing wife of 50 years, who cared for him during the past five years as his health issues increased; four brothers, Michael Arroyo and family of Steamboat Springs, Al Arroyo and family of Loveland, Joe Arroyo and family of Grand Junction, Isidro Jr. Arroyo and family of Thorton; his sister, Beatrice McBride and family of Sandy, Utah; sons Vincent Arroyo and children Ashley, Cera and Cameron, and Tyler Arroyo and children Terica and Taner; daughters Rhonda and Mark Grigware and children Michelle and Michael, Wina and John Procyzyn and child Matthew, and Jody and Dan Schuelke; and those close and dear to his heart, Barbara, Andy and Jenny LeRoy.
The Arroyo family would like to give special thanks to all friends and family for your prayers, love and support in our time of loss. It truly is a blessing knowing your gifts of love in many ways will always be remembered in our hearts forever.
