2021/04/obit-mestas104-247x300.jpgAdolph Larry Mestas, beloved husband, son, brother, uncle and friend, was born on June 27, 1950, at the home of his grandparents, Adolfo and Sidelia Mestas, Lewis Street, Pagosa Springs, Colo., the eldest of seven children born to Frank and Emily Mestas, and went to his eternal home on April 5.
He attended schools in Pagosa Springs and Durango, Colo., and was a graduate of Pagosa Springs High School. While attending school in Durango, he became an avid bowler. He also enjoyed skiing in his younger years.
His great love, though, was the ranch life and many a weekend would find him in the San Luis Valley at the ranch an uncle managed, assisting with cattle roundups and all that ranch life entails.
Because of another uncle’s affiliation with the movie industry, he was introduced to many celebrities while filming of western movies in the Pagosa Springs and Chama, N.M., area. He always had a story to share and there were many. He would get a gleam in his eyes when relating after a day’s filming of the movie “The Cowboys” here in Pagosa Springs; he would share a drink or two at one of the local “watering holes” with John Wayne and crew.
He was a founding member of the Pagosa Springs Jaycees, a civic organization, which introduced the fireworks display over the Fourth of July holiday.
Even though he said, “I’ll never get married,” he found the woman who won his heart and wed Carol Talamante on April 16, 1988, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church.
His working career was with Hersch’s, Circle Super and City Market grocery stores and was a friendly and familiar face to all the shoppers. The saying “he never met a stranger” was never truer. He was always a hard and dedicated worker.
Adolph is survived by his wife, Carol; mother Emily Mestas; as well as siblings Kathy (Roy) Vega, Lou, Frank (Christine), Michael (Rosie) and Trish (Greg) Milioto; as well as nieces and nephews and a second generation of nieces and nephews. He loved them as if his own and was extremely proud of their accomplishments. He was a wonderful uncle and was loved as much as he loved them. He was also godfather to many godchildren. Being a godfather was important to him and he was the best. He was preceded in death by his father, Frank Mestas; baby brother Alfonso Candido; and grandparents Adolfo and Sidelia Mestas, and Alfonso and Sofia Cantu.
“Anyway” … our sibling family ladder will be no more as the top step is gone, but memories will be cherished forever.
Rosary service will be on Friday, April 23, at John Paul II Catholic Church, 353 S. Pagosa Blvd., at 6 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at John Paul II Catholic Church on April 24, with viewing at 9:30 a.m., eulogy at 10 a.m. and Mass at 10:30 a.m. All who wish to attend are welcome.
“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.” — 1 Corinthians 2:9.
