- Date Of Birth: February 29, 1932
- Date Of Death: June 11, 2020
- State: Colorado
Levi Lucero, 88, passed away Thursday, June 11, 2020. A leap year baby, born February 29, 1932 in Las Animas, Colorado. Levi always joked he was from LA and in factlived in a small ‘barrio,’ in Las Animas, called Hollywood,but from there would come a man like no other.
His father Levi Lucero died when he was two months old and his mother Eva (Ortega) died when he was ten. Levi was the youngest of three children who recalled that after the death of his mother he and his two siblings Dan and Julia were moved from relative to relative for a year beforehis grandmother, Juanita Sisneros took them on as a legal responsibility. None of his family had the financial means to support them and depended on welfare for their sustenance. To supplement their welfare payments, he told us he worked whatever jobs he could find and at an early age Levi learned to conduct himself responsibly. He told us whatever he had or would obtain he had to earn. He said he worked in the fields, dug-out basements with a hand shovel, shined shoes, set pins at the bowling alley and ran errands for the elderly. Levi often told us his grandma insisted he go to school so he could learn to care for himself. The drive to improve his living conditions became a number one priority. He shared lots of stories of his life growing up. He told us that his grandma made sure he had God in his life and believed that it was God’s intersession that led him to help others, and allowed him to realize his potential. It was very important not to disappoint his grandma. School created an awareness in him, that he became more concerned about his future. He dedicated himself to gaining a foothold in life and to help others get a foothold. Things changed for Levi when he was asked why he did not participate in sports. He decided to go out for track and won his first race barefooted. Coach Davis yelled, “Get that kid some shoes!” For the first time in his life he knew what it was to be recognized in a school setting. Levi excelled in long distance running and the long jump, and went on to set school records. He competed in wrestling at the state level and told us of the unforgettable experience of hugging from the coach, and teammates raising him on their shoulders. That feeling has stayed with him throughout his life. Levi met his future wife the night of graduation from Bent County High School and left for the navy the next day. He joined the navy with two of his buddies.
In 1954 he married Bernice Montoya. Living in La Junta, Colorado, he and his wife along with the local priest spearheaded a drive to start the first Catholic grade school. Levi started school at Otero Junior College, using his GI Bill for a three year apprenticeship as a newspaper printer and linotype operator. At the Tribune Democrat newspaper he encountered obstacles because of his ethnic background. After several years tempers reached a boiling point and the owner of the newspaper Mr. Al Burtis stepped in to give complete support to Levi. Eventually the relationships among his coworkers, involved in the vexing conditions changed, and became good and rewarding. As a member of the Jaycees Levi recommended Mr. Burtis to the Jaycee’s for Boss of the Year. He received the award. In 1959 Levi with his wife and two boys moved to Grand Junction and continued the same type of newspaper work at the Daily Sentinel. After obtaining his real estate license he worked in sales for 25 years, and was a top producer for many years. At Bray Real Estate, Bob Bray said “this is an exceptional man….I can tell you in all sincerity that I’m proud to be associated with Levi Lucero in this company and in every way.” Levi loved spending time at their A-frame cabin in Placerville, auto derby racing and enjoyed owning many special vehicles e.g. Willys Jeeps and Willys truck, 1960 Thunderbird, 1937 Ford pickup, Model A, big long cars for real estate, and several RV camping vans that he and Bernice traveled the USA and Canada in. In other travel, he and Bernice loved the Holy Land and Rome where he said “I touched the hand of Pope John Paul II,” now a Catholic saint. In his travels he also met Mohammed Ali. In his late 50’s and early 60’s Levi took up painting and painted quite a collection of landscapes, animals and other subjects. His art interest led him to serve as a Trustee for the Western Colorado Art Center. Music was always a source of enjoyment and he had fun playing the guitar, mandolin and saxophone. In his desire to become a better speaker he joined Toastmasters and was named Toastmaster of the year in 1991.
In 1965, while attending Mesa Junior College he met President Ted Albers who asked him to serve on the Junior College Citizen’s Advisory Board. For years, Levi pushed for Grand Junction to have the benefit of a four-year college to give local residents the opportunity to earn a bachelors degree without having to travel outside the area. This group successfully transitioned the Junior College to the four year Mesa State College. A final goal of Levi’s was to see Mesa State College elevate to university status. In doing that, he developed a close relationship with now CMU, President Tim Foster.
Mass Friday 8-28-2020, 10:30am Immaculate Heart of Mary
Memorial Gardens, 2830 Riverside Parkway.
