Obituary of Francisco Diaz de Leon

View Video Tribute Longtime Burlington resident, Francisco Diaz de Leon, better known as “Panchoâ€? passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at the North Suburban Medical Center in Thornton, Colorado. He was 68 years old. Pancho was born on June 5, 1940 in Monteza, Zacatecas, Mexico to Isabel and Margarita (Herrera) Diaz. He was the second child born to this union of nine children. Later in life he met and married Catalina Salas in January of 1960 in Juarez, Mexico. To this union six children were born. Pancho was a member of the St. Catherine’s Catholic Church and he also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Pancho never knew a stranger and had a smile for everyone. He was always ready to lend a helping hand. Pancho enjoyed baseball, whether it be on television or at the local ball field. The majority of Pancho’s life was spent working at various rendering plants in Kansas and Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Julia, son Francisco, Jr., infant son Rafael, and nephew Abel Diaz de Leon. Left to mourn the passing of Pancho is his wife Catalina, and children and grandchildren: Raul and his wife Machera, (Ashley, Paul and Brandon), Victor and his wife Lori, (Amanda and Tyler), Janie and her husband Jose Dominguez (Sally, Pancho, Angelina, and Elisa), Maricela and her husband Oscar Lazo, (Jessica, Gabriel, Oscar Jr., and Rosio), all of Burlington, Colorado and numerous great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters. Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, October 9, 2008 at the St. Catherine’s Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. with Father Ernest Bond officiating. Visitation was held on Wednesday, October 8, 2008 with a Parish Rosary held at 7:00 p.m. Burial followed in the Fairview Cemetery, Burlington, Colorado. Memorials may be made in Pancho’s name and may be left at the Kit Carson State Bank, Burlington, Colorado.