Mike Fuentez, Jr.

Mike Fuentez, Jr., 84, of Arvada, Colorado peacefully passed away on March 3, 2023.

Mike was born in Ft. Lupton, Colorado to Miquel Castillo Fuentez and Rebecca Fuentez on August 4, 1938.  He grew up in the Wattenberg, Brighton and Ft. Lupton area.

He was an avid vegetable gardener.  His green thumb was like no other.  He enjoyed fishing and was an avid shopper.  He adored and loved his pooch, Dolly.  He spoiled her and she kept a close eye on him.

Mike worked in several vocations (concrete, pipe fitting, welding) in the construction field and finalized his career as a pipefitter at Coors where he retired in 1999.  Prior to Coors, he worked on construction crews that built bridges all over Colorado.  He was famous for being a collector of all kinds of tools.  He gained the loving title of “Concrete King” as he placed cement around his yard with vigor.  If anyone needed help with a plumbing issue, he was there in a flash to fix the problem.

After retirement and for the next 12 years, Mike took on a full-time job of caring for his youngest grandson, Eric Worthing.  They were flea market regulars.  He spent time visiting several friends and family with Eric in tow (Cruz, Richard).  He enjoyed family gatherings and spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mike is preceded in death by his spouse of 62 years, Maria Irene Fuentez of Arvada.  They met in Brighton, Colorado and went on to have three children; daughter, Gloria Fuentez of Westminster, CO; daughter, Rachael Castroverde (Ed), Arvada, CO; and son, Michael Fuentez (Lisa), of Westminster, CO.

Mike was predeceased by his parents Miguel and Rebecca Fuentez, brother Alex Fuentez, Sister Josephine Lucero, brother Leonard Perez and daughter Elaine Fuentez.  He is survived by his sister, Mary Salas (late husband Robert), of Westminster, CO; sister, Margaret Ulibarri (Constante) of Arvada, CO; sister, Angela McKillop (Dave) of Westminster, CO; and sister, Juanita Varela (late husband Manuel) of Denver, CO, eight (8) grandchildren Ryan Fuentez (Jess), Shauna Jackson, Justin Fuentez (Ashley), Diana Poston (Jeffrey), Lea Schoengarth (partner Matthew), Elaine Spieth, Steven Castroverde (partner Chinnu), Eric Worthing (partner Michelle), eight (8) great grandchildren.

Friends and family may pay their respects during the viewing at Latina Funeral Home at 3020 Federal Boulevard, Denver, CO 80211, Thursday, March 23 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The Rosary will follow immediately after the viewing at 6:00 p.m.   Mass service will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 24, 2023, at 1209 West 36th Avenue, Denver, Colorado 80211, followed by a graveside service at 12:00 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery, 102 Telluride Street, Brighton, Colorado 80601.  Please join the family for lunch at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine parish hall after the graveside service.

The family would like to say a special thanks to Markie Anderson from CarePatrol who guided us in all aspects of care management for our father and Rose Lucero who helped Mike with upkeep of his home.

Pallbearers:

Ryan Fuentez, Steven Castroverde, Justin Fuentez, Eric Worthing, Jeffrey Poston, Richard Trujillo,

Honorary Pallbearers: Kathryn Harris, Cole Jackson, Natalie Fuentez, Vivien Fuentez, Moses Poston, Kinlyn Poston, Edyson Osborne, Joshua Wright, Frank Schoengarth