BOTELLO

Francisco Botello, Jr., 72, of Eaton passed away on August 30, 2025, at UC Health Greeley Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was born on March 12, 1953, at home in Johnstown to Francisco and Refugia Botello, Sr. where he grew up on the farm owned by the Delbert Spaur family. In 1971, he graduated from Roosevelt High School and went on to study at CU Boulder for a year.

He married Annadean Sanchez in 1975 and they later divorced. He then married Melinda Mitchell in 1981, and they divorced. On July 24, 2021, he married Laura Robinson Hodge.

Francisco worked as a bus driver for RTD and later as a lead instructor, developing light rail in Denver and returning to teach for another several years after retirement. He then drove truck for Greeley Elevator delivering feed. In 2019 he began driving as an oversize load escort pilot for P.S. Piloting Service. From 20092019, Francisco drove the activities bus for Frasier Meadows Retirement Community

in Boulder.

He loved reading, gardening, being in nature, and all things John Deere – having grown up on the farm – but most precious to him was family and time spent with them.

He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church and the Amalgamated Transit Union.

Grateful to have shared his life are his wife, Laura; his children, Aaron (Trinidad “Trini”) Botello, Frankie (Lucy) Botello, Elizabeth Botello (Zach Hall) and Joaquin Bo- tello (Bethany Beachey); four grandchildren, 11 “bonus” grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 1 great, great-grandchild; and his siblings, Maria Sanchez, Josefa “Josie” Benzor, Virginia (Jose “Pepe”) Lopez, Ysabel “Ys” (Marylou) Botello, Jesus (Laura Coles) Botello, Celia “Sally” (Chauncey) Morse, John David (Cesilie) Botello, Danny (Eva) Botello, and Andres “Andy” (Jenny) Botello; close friend, Lindy Johnson; and his “bonus” parents, Delbert Spaur and Marjorie Cain.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his second wife, Melinda; brother-in-law, Mario Sanchez; and his nephew, Joey Lopez.

A viewing will be held from 6-7 p.m. September 11 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnstown, with a Recitation of the Rosary to follow at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. September 12 at St. John the Baptist with interment to follow at Johnstown Cemetery. A reception will follow at Dreams and Dragonflies, 5194 WCR 50, Johnstown.

Memorial gifts may be made to the “Weld RE-5J Education Foundation” to be used for an FFA/Agriculture scholarship in the Spring of 2026. Condolences may be shared at youngsfunerals.com.