Manuel A. Sedillo

Manuel Sedillo was born on November 15, 1933, to Marcos and Petra Sedillo He died on July 23, 2015. He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Helen; his four children, Manuel Jr. (Janice), Christine, Raymond (Sheri) and John (Michelle); eleven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Manuel and Helen’s love for each other was legendary. He said often that he fell in love with Helen at first sight. And according to Helen, Manuel is the love of her life, and she will love him forever. Their love is for eternity

We, the children of Manuel and Helen, would like to share a few special memories of our father, Manuel Jr.,

I would like to share a moment in my interaction with my father. There were so many memories from my past with my dad that I could not settle on one. But in his last few days, even though he was in discomfort, he still remained witty and thoughtful of others. So I will share something he did that has had a great impression on one of his great-grandkids.

During his final days my dad was having problems getting comfortable and was frequently sitting up and wanting to change from the bed to the chair and vice-versa. He just could not get comfortable and I suppose he was feeling anxious and in pain. His great-grandson, Justine (Just-in-Time, as his grandfather called him), who is 11, suggested we take him for a walk outside. So we asked the nurses if we could and they agreed. So we put him in a wheelchair and took him outside. He was just so happy with that broad smile of his, all over his face. We spent a good half hour or more just wheeling him around the hospital grounds. He had such a happy face with the warm sun beating down on him. When we were finished and in the elevator, he looked at Justin and pointed his finger at him and said, “Thanks, Just-In-Time, for all you did.” That was the last time he was outside. That moment in the elevator will stay with Justin his entire life, knowing he did something for his grandpa and that his grandpa knew and appreciated it. Even in his final days, he still loved his grandchildren and wanted them to know. That was my dad.

Christine:

My dad was the most wonderful, caring and loving man in the world, but what I remember most about him is the way he loved my sons "Cakies" and "Nippers.” He was often seen with a diaper bag hanging from his shoulder, always taking them someplace fun and exciting. Basketball games, the dog track, the zoo and anyplace else they wanted to go. He was a father figure to them as well as a grandfather and they were so lucky to have him in their lives. We all loved him more than anything, through ups and downs, good times and bad. He will be so badly missed by my sons, James, Ron, and me. We love you, pop, more than any words can ever express.

Raymond:

My daddy died on Thursday, July 23, 2015. It was a quintessential Colorado summer day. From his hospital room we could see majestic mountains capped with snow and draped by a wide-open blue sky that spread to eternity. The billowing clouds that lined the sky looked like a caravan of chariots with angels waiting to take my beloved daddy home. My favorite memories of my dad will be the countless conversations we shared. We talked a lot. No subject was off limits between us. Sometimes the conversations were deeply personal, and other times they were general in nature. We covered all subjects. I loved more than anything to watch a Bronco game with him or a boxing match. As a child I would sit next to him like a lap dog and listen to the Denver Rockets on the radio. He was extremely interesting, intelligent and well read. I will miss his colorful stories from his youth. I will miss hearing about his exploits with Haystack, Cobra, Fuzzy, Little Fuzzy and Frank Medrano and the rest of the Heads. I will miss his stories about the friends he met while working at Butternut Bakery: Bob Osborn, Ben Drew, Charlie Griego, Kid Stork, Art Barela and Joe Williams. My dad was my confidant and my best friend. He is the only man I ever trusted 100 percent. It was an honor and a privilege to be his son.

John:

I have so many great memories of my dad. From the days of playing Rummy after dinner while we watched the news on TV, the ditch days he would allow me from school to go fishing to the nights we would go to the Nugget games knowing he had to be back to work in just a few hours. Through all these times my dad would talk to me about life. The things he taught me, the things I consider a common sense approach to life have honestly been more valuable to me as an adult than any formal education. My dad was a wise man who learned from his mistakes, and shared with me how to do better. But the one thing that I will cherish forever is his love for me and his entire family. Luke 15:20 best describes my dad’s love for us. He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran towards him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Every time I would see him he was overjoyed, always forgiving, and full of love and compassion. He was a man’s man, but with a tender heart, a perfect balance of toughness and tenderness to those in his life. I will miss him always, and will one day again be with him in heaven.