It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Paul Dean “Dennis” Espinoza, 69, of Monte Vista. Dennis went to be with the Lord on May 15, 2023, after a brief, but difficult battle with cancer. While Dennis left far too soon, the impact that his faith-filled life had on his children, grandchildren, and those who had the privilege of knowing him will be felt for generations to come.

Dennis was born in Pueblo, Colo., on July 22, 1953, to Anastacio Arturo “Tato” and Lila Eloisa Espinoza. He is one of 10 siblings and grew up in Romeo before moving to Monte Vista as a young adult. As a graduate of Centauri High school class of 1971, he was no stranger to hard work and because of his entrepreneurial upbringing, he quickly became a jack of all trades.

He worked in his family’s restaurant Romeo Lunch as a teenager. He educated himself and worked in the family electronics repair business which later became Gunbarrel TV, as a certified electronics repairman. He delivered the Denver Post and the Pueblo Chieftain throughout the San Luis Valley and eventually became an independent contractor for the U.S. Mail. With every meal he served, TV he repaired, paper he delivered and letter he distributed, he embodied the joy of the Lord. No matter where he was, he was a natural at befriending people and making them feel valued.

He enjoyed spending his free time with his beloved family, and in the kitchen cooking up some of the most delicious dishes inspired by his loving mother, Lila. There could never be too much cayenne pepper or pink salt in his dishes, come’on somebody! When he wasn’t in the kitchen, you could find him reading scripture, serving the church or supporting the various ministries his children were involved in because of his devout faith in Jesus.

He was preceded in death by his father, Tato Espinoza but survived by his mother Lila, his siblings, 11 children and 20 grandchildren. His children from Myra Espinoza (ex-wife) are son Micah (Elizabeth), son Paul Jr. (Mary), daughter Dennisa (Zach) Bumgardner, and son Isaiah (Alesia). His children from Rachel Salazar (ex-girlfriend) are stepdaughter Danielle (Henry) Martinez, daughter Larissa (Cisco) Aguilar, daughter Jasmine, son Josiah (Stella), son Jessie, daughter Naomi and daughter Yakira. His grandchildren are: Micah Jr., John Paul, Justice, Rebekah, Jadah, Selah, Abigail, Ezekiel, Nehemiah, Nalani, Aria, Francesca, Henry Jr., Daniesha, Zepheniah, Emmanuel, Amber, Cisco, Athena, and Apolla.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Valley Church of the Nazarene, (228 Madison St., Monte Vista) on Friday May 26, 2023, at 10 a.m. followed by burial service in La Garita, Colo. A meal will be held at Iglesia Hispana Vino Nuevo (207 Monroe St. Monte Vista, CO) around 2 p.m.

To leave online condolences, please visit romerofuneralhomes.com. Romero Funeral Home of Monte Vista has been entrusted with the care of arrangements.