Leonardo Romero

Leonard Romero, 82, of La Junta, Colorado, went home to heaven on February 7, 2025 in Rocky Ford, Colorado. Known by his family as Leonard and renamed “Leo” by his Inspiration Field family, was born May 12 1942 in Trinchera, Colorado to Jose George & Elsie (Maestas) Romero. 

Leonard loved his family and followed his siblings around, always wanting to do everything they did. Despite his physical challenges, he didn’t accept that he couldn’t play baseball. Just ask his sister, Darlene, who didn’t duck fast enough on third base when he hit a ball toward her, connecting with her face and broke her nose. 

Leonard lived a life of “inclusion”. He worked hard to overcome his physical disabilities, and had a way of making others comfortable with his partially paralyzed body. In his 40’s & 50’s, he did odd jobs around town including: shoveling snow, washing windows and mowing yards. Leonard was one of the older siblings and his quick wit and funny tricks were passed down to his younger brothers. He was brave and overcame colon cancer and a severe case of encephalitis in the past 25 years. 

Leonard loved his parents and spent this first 30 years primarily with his father, then lived with his mother and they moved to Rocky Ford. He was his mother’s primary caregiver for almost 30 years before her passing and soon after that he move to an Inspiration Field Group Home. He worked with the Crew and spent many days at the Center, even after he became wheelchair bound. There were dances and parties, a lot of coloring and painting, but his favorite pastime of all was watching Denver Broncos games. He was an avid Broncos fan and would surround himself with Bronco blankets, clothing, hats, and memorabilia. 

Although he will be missed, it is a comfort to know he is at home now with his parents and family that went before him. 

Leonard is survived by his sisters, Joann (Ben) Aragon of Trinidad, CO; Darlene (Rigo Mendoza) of Swink, CO; and Mary (Gary) Jackson of Denver, CO; brothers, George Romero of Garden City, KS; and Frank (Linda) Romero of Denver, CO; sisters-in-law, Peggy Sue Romero of Rocky Ford, CO; and Vickie Romero of Denver, CO; and guardian and niece, Eleanor (Sam) Herrera of Colorado Springs, CO; numerous nieces, nephews and his Inspiration Field family also survive. He is preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Betty (Joe) Segura and Patsy (Donald) Romero; brothers, Lawrence Romero, Edward Romero and David Martinez; sister-in-law, Cindy Romero; niece, Anna Romero; nephews, Donald Romero, Jr.; Arturo Romero, Frankie Romero, and Johnny Chavez. 

Memorial Service for Leonard will be held Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Inspiration Field in La Junta with reception to follow. 

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.