Jack W. Soto

Jack Wayne Soto, 72, of Marlin, Texas, entered into God’s everlasting Glory on Friday, February 17, 2023. A celebration of life will be held at Family Worship Center in Waco, Tx on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 2 p.m.

Jack was born on October 19, 1950 in Temple, Tx to Susie Soto and Jack Bazán. He was a proud serviceman in the United States Marine, Corp. and served during the Vietnam War era. Jack met the precious love of his life, Dora Salas, and they married in October 1973. They brought two loving children into the world, Sumetra and Jack Andre Soto. He worked as an independent contractor for most of his early life, often saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none”. On August 17, 1989, he suffered a paralyzing spinal cord injury after a scaffold accident at work. That didn’t stop him. He served his community volunteering as a Little League baseball coach for over 10 yrs, making a lasting impact on the lives of young men across Central Texas.

In the early 2000s he made the decision to stop smoking, so he could train for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. At 54, he competed in the 2004 games in St. Louis, Mo., racking up medals in softball, discus, 100m dash, and wheelchair rugby. That next year, he completed the MS150, riding his handcycle from San Antonio to Corpus Christi over two days.

Jack continued to be a positive force by volunteering as a Veteran’s Liaison Officer for the Paralyzed Veterans of America at the VA hospital in Temple for over 11 yrs until 2017. He was an excellent dancer and athlete, and his reputation for both often preceded him. He had a hilarious and quick sense of humor, and a relentless ethic to encourage everyone he encountered. He endlessly loved quality time with family, having movie nights and watching sports, and was always ready to get out and about. He was never afraid to talk about his Jesus and the importance of having your own personal relationship with God. With all the daily challenges he faced, he never ceased to always be thoughtful of others and put them first.

Jack will continue to live on through his wife and children, as well as those whose lives he touched. Jack is survived by his wife, Dora Soto, daughter Sumetra Soto, son Jack Andre Soto and wife Jenalea; brothers Ralph Quinteros and wife Sandy, Tony Quinteros and wife Lety, sister Margaret Ramirez and husband Paul, and sister-in-law Knellan Quinteros; grandchildren Jimmie, Caryssa, and Justice; great-granddaughter Ariellea, beloved mother-in-law Sara Tovar and aunt Mary Roach, along with many other loved family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his mother Susie Soto, adoptive mother and aunt Ofelia Soto, and his little brother Simon Quinteros.