Jose Gallegos Jr

It is with profound sadness, and deep gratitude for a life so richly loved and lived, that we announce the passing of Jose Tobias (Toby) Gallegos.

Toby was born on June 28, 1938 in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He is preceded in death by his parents Jose Tobias Sr. & Manuelita Gallegos, sister Beatrice Otero and brother Santos Gallegos

Toby is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Gloria Gallegos, whose partnership was the foundation of a life filled with love, family and resilience. He is survived by his 5 children Lorraine Marez, Kathy (Kelly) Doucette, Phillip Gallegos, Micheal Gallegos and Liz (Larry) Denning. Along with 14 grandchildren and 31 great grandchildren.

The story of how they first met remains a cherished mystery, as the details have never been fully disclosed to this day. It’s a BIG secret between them only; “a big and great one.” as he voiced in his final days. What is known is that their love story led to marriage on June 28, 1958 in Las Vegas, NM.

In 1962, they made their home in Flagstaff, where they began building a life together and raised their five children. Through the years, their family grew, and the home they created became a place filled with love, laughter, memories, and generations of family who loved to take him to the casino on a spur of the moment.

His career in construction began with a little boldness and a lot of determination. On his first job, he was asked to rake—despite the fact that he had never actually done it before. He fibbed and said he knew how, but when he was eventually discovered, he was taught the trade from the ground up. That experience became the beginning of a long and dedicated career in construction. He went on to work on numerous projects in Arizona. He spoke much about the construction of Glen Canyon Dam in Page and the long hours and days he worked. He eventually worked his way into a foreman position, retiring from with the Teamsters Union. His willingness to learn, his extraordinary strong work ethic, and his determination became hallmarks of the man he was.

He passed those same values of hard work, dedication, and perseverance on to each of his children. His sons were especially fortunate to learn those lessons alongside him, helping to build the house where he and Gloria continue to live. That house became much more than a structure—it became the heart of their family. Over the years, the yard grew into a green paradise filled with fruit trees, treasures, and more knickknacks than anyone could possibly count. There was always something to discover, fix, build, or tinker with. His sheds and backyard were filled with projects and the many things he was sure would someday come in handy. For him, working with his hands was not simply a pastime; it was a way of life and one of the many ways he showed his love for his family.

After a long career of hard work, he retired from the Flagstaff Unified School District after 13 years as a custodian at Cromer Elementary School. His presence became a familiar and comforting part of the school. Many who knew him can still picture him making his way to and from work at lunchtime, his keys jangling and his familiar whistling announcing his arrival before he even came into view. His grandchildren also became part of those school-day memories. During after-school hours, many of them learned to run through the hallways while helping Gramps clean the chalkboards. Those simple moments, which may have seemed ordinary at the time, became treasured memories that his family will carry with them for years to come.

His life reminds us that true success is measured not by titles or achievements, but by the lives we touch, the kindness we share, and the love we leave behind. That is the true mark of his legacy.

He will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always loved.

Rosary will be held on Wednesday September 2. 10:00am followed by the mass at 10:30am at San Francisco de Asis located at 1600 Historic Route 66, Flagstaff, Az 86001.

He will be laid to rest at Calvary cemetery located at 201 W. University Dr. following the mass. Please join us for a reception to follow at San Francisco de Asis.

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In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in Jose Tobias Gallegos Jr. name to:

https://American Cancer Society/donate/memorial-giving.html