Gerald Joseph "Jerry" Sandoval

Gerald Joseph "Jerry" Sandoval, an expert in transportation and kindness, died on September 7, 2023. He was 84.
Jerry was born in Denver on May 5, 1939, to Geronimo "Jerry" Sandoval and Camilla (Sanchez) Sandoval, one of eleven children. He grew up in Welby, Colorado, and on Denver's Eastside. He graduated from Annunciation High School. 
From a young age, Jerry was a hard worker. Among his early occupations, he delivered Western Union telegrams on his bicycle and sold the Rocky Mountain News and The Denver Post in Downtown Denver. 
In high school, Jerry was a sports reporter for The Cardinal, the school newspaper, and aspired to report on sports professionally. He read newspapers most every day of his life and was a lifelong sports fan. His No. 1 team was always the Denver Broncos, with the exception of whatever team his children and grandchildren were suiting up for.
After graduation, Jerry joined the U.S. Navy, where he served proudly for six years. His naval service took him around the world. His ship was among those on duty during the Bay of Pigs incident in 1961.
Jerry was a child when he first met and fell for Frances Padilla. While he was in the Navy, she served in the Marines. They were married for fifty-nine years and eleven months and had two children. 
For many years, Jerry worked as a butcher at the Cudahy Packing Company and for Safeway. He retired after many years driving a bus for the Regional Transportation District.
For his entire adult life, Jerry drove a pickup truck and never said no when anyone called about a move or needed a ride. 
Jerry was preceded in death by many loved ones, including his parents, Jerry Sandoval and Camilla (Sanchez) Sandoval; siblings, Viola, Norbert, Alfonso, Adeline (Gutierrez), Frances (Denton), Paul and Richard; son-in-law Eduardo Alegría.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Frances (Padilla) Sandoval; daughter, Rowena Alegría; son, Matthew Sandoval; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; as well as siblings Mary (Baldini), Joe and Bernadette (Fulton) and their families, including many beloved nieces and nephews.
Recitation of the Rosary Thursday, September 14, 2023, 7:00 pm, Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80227.
Funeral Mass Friday, September 15, 2023, 10:30 am, St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 3801 W. Ohio Ave., Denver, CO 80219.
Interment 12:00 pm, Fort Logan National Cemetery.