José “Joe, El Grande, Don José” Antonio Moreno Moreno, 73, passed Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at his Evans, Colorado home with his family by his side. José was born February 23, 1949, in Durango, Durango, Mexico to Margarito Moreno Alvarado and Maria Remedios Moreno Hernandez.
José is survived by his beloved wife Barbara Ann Moreno, esteemed tío Joaquin Moreno, siblings Macedonia Moreno, Maria Josefina Moreno de Hernandez, Maria Felix Moreno de Hernandez, Maria de la Luz Moreno de Salcido, Margarito Moreno, Maria del Rosario Moreno de Garcia, Angel Alberto Moreno, children Robert Moreno and Maria del Consuelo Zuñiga Bernal, Joyce Marie Moreno and Robert Torres, Joel Anthony Moreno and Laura Louise Moya, grandchildren Isaac Joseph Moreno, Jade Ashley Campbell, Miguel Angel Moreno, Andrew Isaiah Torres, José Moreno, Barbara Ann-Marie Torres, Tomas Moreno, Rosie Moreno, Natalie Moreno, Mateo Moreno, great grandchildren Sophia Marie Eleisa Moreno, Calvin Alexander Moreno, Zoey Nicole Oliva, Chloe Amelia Moreno, Kenneth Miguel Moreno, and Isabella Moreno, countless nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and friends. He is preceded in death by his father Margarito Moreno Alvarado, mother Remedios Moreno Hernandez, and sister Maria Dolores Moreno de Arciniega.
All who crossed paths with Joe, knew how much he valued hard work. José began working in his early teenage years maintaining cows, horses, and land. He also uniquely worked on movie sets. On set, he met many notable stars including- Lee Marvin, Telly Savalas, Kirk Douglas, Robert Mitchum, and his favorite, John Wayne. Interestingly, on John Wayne’s movie, “War Wagon”, Joe can be spotted as an extra.
At the age of 17, José moved to the United States to work on a farm in Texas. He later moved North to work at the Bar S packing plant in Denver, Colorado. Bar S transferred him to their plant in Boston, Massachusetts. He did not enjoy Boston; describing it as cold, dreary and dark. He knew Colorado was his home, and moved back to work in the oilfield.
In Fort Lupton, Colorado, he met the love of his life, Barbara Ann Hernandez. The two were inseparable and would remain so. July 7, 1977 they married at the new Circus Circus casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. They enjoyed the lively atmosphere, and would continue to vacation in Las Vegas frequently throughout their marriage.
The family followed the flourishing oilfield to Wyoming. Joe created his first of many successful companies, “Joe’s Oilfield Service”. Joe broke many barriers, despite the presence of prejudice and discrimination of the Civil Right Movement. His reputation of honesty and hard work established his family and company as a respectable fixture to the community.
Joe shared a love for Mexico and the United States. In the early 1980’s, the family moved to Durango, Mexico for six years. During the short time, Joe continued his success. He purchased three dump trucks and started a company. The hauling company would haul materials to the dump. Simultaneously, he and Barbara opened a small grocery store named, “La Mariposa”.
Instilling tenacity became his priority, as Joe’s sons Robert and Joel grew into young men. He wanted his sons to gain life experience in the demanding oilfield and succeed as he did. The family moved back to Colorado. Joe was a foreman for Flint until retirement. Throughout his career, he installed gas lines for gas stations and new subdivisions across the front range.
Joe’s hobbies included fishing, hunting, traveling, and visiting the ocean. He was a master at pool; rarely losing a match. Chances are, you saw him in his regular outfit of cowboy boots, jeans, and a crisp white t-shirt. Joe enjoyed the simple, but important, pleasures of a hot cup of coffee and a hot fresh tortilla. He is remembered as a joyful person, who never told anyone, “no”, or complained. He was the person everyone could rely on and was happy to help. Joe’s friends knew him as, “El Grande”, the big man. Not only was he tall, but also commanded respect as the boss and go-to guy. Joe put his family above all. No matter the distance of his loved ones, he always had enough love to go around. He was well liked by everyone. He was a man of his word, honest, and straight-forward. Most of all, he cherished his beloved wife Barbara. Their love is eternally true and created the most beautiful life.
In the infamous words of José, “Échale ganas”.
Services will begin Tuesday, November 8th at Stoddard Funeral & Cremation- Viewing 4-6pm and Rosary at 6pm. Wednesday, November 9th at 11am, mass will proceed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Immediately following mass, the burial will take place at Evans Cemetery. After all services have concluded, the potluck reception will be held at Moose Lodge in Evans, Colorado.
