Reynaldo Soto

It is with profound sadness for us to announce the death of our beloved Reynaldo Soto, who was called from this life on November 13, 2020, just short of reaching his 85th birthday and 50th wedding anniversary. Reynaldo quietly accepted God's will, which he attributed as his cross which the Lord had sent for him to bear.

Left to treasure his memory, are his loving wife, Esperanza, who made his life complete for almost 50 years, his two sons Reynaldo Jr., Alonzo and his wife Veronica and two grandchildren, Vicente and Adora. He is also survived by 5 sisters and 4 brothers. He was preceded in death by his parents Modesto and Ramona Soto, and 6 brothers and one sister.

To say that Reynaldo grew up the hard way, in a modest environment would be an understatement. Reynaldo was born in 1936, at a time when life was tough for everyone. His Soto upbringing of values and morals persevered to make him the man he became. He made it his mission to instill those in his siblings. He was a foremost member of the first half of the Soto family, that sacrificed so much for the betterment and welfare of all. We owe him an immeasurable gratitude for all that he did.

He grew up in San Elizario at a time when compulsory school attendance was some years away. In spite of attending about half of each school year during those first eight years of formative education, the school superintendent, in recognition of Reynaldo's precocious academic abilities, offered him a double promotion from 6th to 8th grade. Always the pragmatist, Reynaldo turned down this offer because as he recalled, he did not want to miss learning the important 7th grade math concepts. He went on to graduate class valedictorian from Clint High School and received scholarship offers from several colleges. The epoch of life had to be placed on hold for this altruistic man--his brothers and sisters came first. Instead of college, he joined the navy in order to continue helping support the family. He liked the military discipline and made it his first career for 25 years which included a tour of land duty in Vietnam. During that time, he met the love of his life. Esperanza Rojas, in California. They married in March, 1971 at San Elizario Church.

After his military retirement, they settled in San Diego where, with his GI Bill, he completed his college credentials, and gained employment at Coronado Island Airfield as an airplanes electronic technician. After his second retirement, he brought his family back to El Paso, where he eventually retired for the 3rd and final time from civil service.

Reynaldo was a God-fearing man, who always thought of others first. He had been in relatively good health, but the Lord decided it was time. Lucid in mind and spirit to the very end, Reynaldo would quote his favorite bible reference of Jesus advising us to always be ready for death since no one knows when death will come, like a thief in the night. We will miss you brother, vaya con Dios.

Service by Crestview Funeral Home, 1462 N. Zaragoza Rd., El Paso, TX 79936. Viewing will be December 4th, 2020, from 9:30 Am to 11:30 AM, followed by Rosary at 11:30 AM. Due to current restrictions, we are asking thosen unable to be here physically, to please watch the livestream from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Facebook account: https://m.facebook.com/CrestviewFH/.

A private graveside service will be held at Ft. Bliss.