Joe Freddie Soto

Joe F. Soto, 66, of Hughson, CA, passed away in Modesto, CA surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 31, 2019. He was born on October 28, 1952 in Palo Alto, CA to Juan Soto and Josefina (Burciaga) Soto. Joe was raised in Tijuana, Mexico and returned at age 13 where he later graduated from Hughson High School and went on to running the family tortilla business. Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Roberto Soto. He is survived by his beloved wife, Maria Guadalupe Soto; son, Joe (Rufina) Soto, Jr; granddaughter, Isabella Soto; brother, Juan (Filomena) Soto; and sisters Yolanda (Manuel) Soto, Josefina Burciaga, and Alicia Soto; and many nieces and nephews.

Joe met his wife Maria in Modesto, CA on May 5, 1974 at a Cinco de Mayo dance. On May 31, 1975, they married in Durango, Mexico. Joe and Maria have never left each other’s side with 43 years of marriage. Together, they raised their only son Joe Soto, Jr. and they recently became grandparents to their first granddaughter, Isabella Soto on May 19, 2018.

Joe was the owner of Fortuna’s Tortillas located in Livingston, CA that makes tortillas and sells authentic Mexican products. A great accomplishment for Joe was Fortuna’s Tortillas recently achieving 50 years in business on November 2018. His father Juan Soto started the business in Hughson in 1968 and in 1980 both Joe and his brother Roberto took over the family business and moved it to Livingston, CA.

Joe’s early hobbies included Mexican professional wrestling named “lucha libre”, flying small airplanes, and traveling. He trained in lucha libre at a young age and his wrestling stories were very entertaining. He received a certification for his first solo flight of a Cessna 150 on April 4, 1974 at Modesto Airport. Joe later enjoyed traveling with Maria around California and spending time with family.

Joe was a great storyteller and connected immediately with people as he could strike up a conversation with nearly anyone. His gift of communicating helped him make many friends as he went through his life. He had an energy of always keeping himself busy and making things better for his family and others as well. Joe would make time to help a family member or friend no matter how late it was or what day of the week.

As a storyteller, he also wrote life milestones in a journal that he called the “Record Book”. Whenever a life event occurred such as his son getting his driver’s license or the birth of his granddaughter, he would say “that’s one for the record book” and noted the date and event in his journal.

Rosary service will be held on Thursday, April 11, 2019 at 6:00 pm at 7022 - Lakewood Funeral Home Heritage Chapel, 900 Santa Fe Ave, Hughson, CA 95326. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 12, 2019 at 11:00 am at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, 7820 Fox Road, Hughson, CA 95326, with the Rev. Armando Vergara officiating. Burial will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park in Hughson. Reception following committal service at Lakewood’s Hospitality Room.