John Philip Loza

Son

John was born on November 21, 1941 in Denver, CO. He was adopted by his forever family Maria and Estevan Loza at the age of two and a half. John grew up in Denver. At the age of six, John’s mother was diagnosed with diabetes. At this point, John’s mother made the choice to return to Mexico with him to be with her family where he lived until the age of nine. After her passing, John then moved back to Denver to be with his father, where he remained and grew into the man that we all know and love.

Husband

John met and married Francis F. Gallegos on July 8, 1961, and they spent forty-one years together as man and wife. John and Francis were blessed with five beautiful children: Adam (deceased), Jody, Madeleine, Cynthia and Phillip. Francis passed away on January 6, 2000. John remarried on December 31, 2017 to Julie Ellis Burrows to whom he had been friends for many years.

Contributor

John was a hard worker and had a variety of jobs throughout his life always providing for his family. As a young boy, John was at his father’s side soaking up all he could about yardwork and gardening. He took great pride and satisfaction in a well-kept yard. Whether it was mowing the grass, shoveling the snow or tending the flowerbeds and gardens, he was the best at nurturing the tiniest of plants to blossom into their full potential. His tomatoes were the envy and his roses were the most beautiful.

John began his career as a young man in the hotel business where he was employed for many years. He then transitioned to the railroad where he was employed for twenty plus years before retiring at the new millennium. This was the beginning of a new chapter in John’s life. At this time, John began being devoted to the things he truly enjoyed doing in life.

Lover of People and Life

Family and friends were extremely important to John, and he is loved and will be missed by many. John was loving and kind with a huge heart for everyone he came into contact with. John enjoyed life, and he is known for loving his sweets, the Denver Broncos and being an inveterate shopper. He never missed a game or a chance to have candy and could sniff out the best deal at any store.

John is also well known for being a jokester. Samantha Loza expressed it best when she said “All the jokes, teasing, playful shoves and lip pulling will truly be missed”. John believed in and was committed to the Longmont Senior Center and the programs they provide to the community. Because of this, John was very involved, particularly with the folklorico dance group, Bailes de mi Tierra. He truly enjoyed being a part of their performances and all the preparation that went into their productions. John found his creative flow in becoming an outstanding photographer capturing all the colorful costumes and beautiful dance. John’s love for Mexico was apparent in the stories he told about his years there. He made the country come alive as he spoke of it describing all the beauty of Mexico. John is known to have said his only regret in life was “he lived to survive, instead of surviving to live”.

Missed

John is survived by a host of family that includes his devoted wife Julie Ellis Burrows-Loza. He has amazing, direct family members including his children: Jody (Melanie) Loza, Madeline Hall (Brian), Cynthia Loza and Phillip Loza. John also has children of his blended family including Jennifer (John) Stein and Andrew (Jamie) Burrows; His precious grandchildren Thomas (Angelica), Samantha (Berto), Adam (Samantha), Kristina (John), Christopher (Karley), Zachary (Ellie), Jasmine (Travis), McKenzie (Spencer), Dylan and Levi. John’s great grandchildren include Lillyth, Liam, Braxtin, John III, Nayomi and Eli.

John is preceded in death by his parents, first wife Francis and his son Adam.

Celebrated

Family visitation will be held Tuesday November 12, 2019 from 10:00-1100 a.m. A Memorial to honor John’s memory will be held on Thursday November 14, 2019, from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church at 323 Collyer St., Longmont, CO. Luncheon to follow the service. Please visit howemortuary.com to share personal condolences.

Donations may be made to The Friends of the Longmont Senior Center in memory of John Loza.