Franklin Edward Soto

Franklin Edwardo Soto was born May 15, 1968 in Hawthorne, California. He was born to parents Manuelita Gurrola Soto from Durango, Mexico, and George Arthur Soto from Cartago, Costa Rica. Franklin was the middle child of three. His older brother is George Arthur Soto Jr. His younger sister was Diana Lorena Soto. She preceded him in death in 1987 at the age of 17 from leukemia. At a young age, Franklin and his family moved from Los Angeles to Sunland. The family was always surrounded by many loving relatives living in the Los Angeles area, as well as those traveling from Costa Rica and Mexico. His home was a warm and loving place where there was always a seat at the table for a guest and a plate of food from his mother’s kitchen, where she worked miracles with recipes stored only in her memory. His mother, Manuelita, preceded Franklin in death just this past May 2024.

Frank met Cristina Romero, soon to be Cristina Romero Soto in 1989 while they were both working at Kaiser Permanente. They were soon married and began their family with the birth of their son Michael Andres in 1992 and their daughter Meghan Julia in 1996. During this time Frank was also a student at Valley College, juggling work, school, and fatherhood. He transferred to University of California, Irvine where he earned his bachelor of science degree in Applied Ecology in Environmental Science. During his senior year, he completed an internship at the Irvine Ranch Water District and was excited to be hired immediately after graduation. His high professional standards and warmth toward his coworkers contributed to his success, leading to a promotion to supervisor at the Water District. Many of his coworkers also became like family, and they continued to share numerous camping adventures and experience life's milestones together.

In 2022, Frank was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Despite this, his love for his wife, children, large extended family, and friends inspired him to live his life to the fullest during his treatment. His profound love for life and family is the only explanation for why he surpassed the doctors' predictions. Throughout August, he welcomed visitors from all aspects of his life at home, with countless people traveling long distances to share a final visit with their beloved friend, primo, or tío.

Frank died peacefully at home on August 28th, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife Cristina Romero Soto, son Michael Soto and his fiancée Melina Perez, daughter Meghan Soto, father George Soto Sr., brother George Soto Jr., sister-in-law Nancy Parmalee, nephew Justin Soto, niece Kelsey Soto, niece Ella Soto, and his chihuahuas Churro and Bellatrix. Frank is also survived by a large extended family in Los Angeles, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

Franklin left an indelible imprint on the lives of everyone he knew, and there are no words to express the immense love we continue to have for him. His absence will be felt for the rest of our lives.