Jake Gallegos

On Monday November 3rd, 2025, at 7:27am, Joe Jake Gallegos passed away peacefully with his family by his side and holding his hand in their home in Surprise Arizona. His wife of 64 years Margaret D. Gallegos sat next to him, reassuring him that it was ok to pass while showering him with unconditional love through his last breath and beyond.

Joe Jake Gallegos was born in Antonito Colorado in Conejos County to Alva and Joe Jake Gallegos Sr on September 1st, 1942. Jake Gallegos graduated from Silverton High School in 1960, met Margaret (formerly Silva) Gallegos in Silverton High School in 1959 and they married August 19th, 1961. The young newlyweds moved to Denver and had their first daughter Cindy in 1962 and their second daughter Carla in 1964.

After Jake was laid off by Martin Marieta where he ran the Yoder hammer, the young couple then moved back to Silverton and had their son Rod in 1966. The family had moved back to Silverton so Jake could go underground and became a miner at the Idarado Mine alongside his dad Joe Jake Gallegos Sr.. After coming back home to Silverton with his growing family, Jake eventually moved his young family back to Denver and had their fourth child DeAnne in 1972 where he had a solid career as a Store manager for Skaggs Drug Store in Cherry Creek and a brief transfer to Wichita Kansas.

Later in his career he moved into many different types of sales jobs from Brach’s Candy, Jacob Suchard and Sweets Candy Company which gave him more time to spend with his family.

In 1995, Jake and Margaret moved to Arizona where he created a highly successful real estate career until retirement brought him back to Silverton for the summers in 2012 where he took on his all-time favorite job, a tour guide at the Old Hundred Mine Tour.

Joe Jake Gallegos was known for his warm smile, friendly personality and no one was a stranger to him. He would hold a conversation with someone as if they had known one another for years gone by. Jake was an incredibly loving, loyal, and dedicated husband, father, brother, and friend to many in his long life.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Margaret D. Gallegos, daughters Carla Salas (spouse Manuel Salas), DeAnne Gallegos and son Rod Gallegos (spouse Sue Gallegos), little brother Rick Gallegos (spouse Elaine Gallegos), and his sister Vivian Giron. His grandchildren are Domitrea Granado, Andrea Caballero, Larissa Manzanarez, Nick Gallegos, Christian Camacho, Allie Cervantes, and Katie Gallegos. His great grandchildren Letecia Mendoza, Gabriel Mendoza, Izabelle Abby, Roger Abby, Neo Abby, Migel Vega, Sebastian Vega, Aliyah Camacho, Abriela Camacho, Christian Camacho Jr, and his recently born great great grandchild Mateo Montour. Joe Jake Gallegos was preceded in death by his Father Joe Jake Gallegos Sr., Mother Alva Gallegos, sisters Weda Martinez and Linda Samora, and his oldest daughter Cindy Gallegos Chavez.

Funeral Services will be held in Surprise, Arizona on Friday December 5th , 2025. At 10:30am at Saint Claire of Assisi Roman Catholic Church. Located on 17111 W. Bell Road (Loop 303 & Bell Road) Surprise, AZ and a Celebration of Life will be held next summer in Silverton Colorado on Saturday August 29th, 2026 (details to come).