Armando J. Romero

Armando John Romero age 81, passed away on June 6th, 2021 at his home in Brighton, Colorado. He was born July 15, 1939 in Fort Garland, Colorado to Reverend Manuel and Dorothy Romero, who preceded him in death along with his brother Donald and his sister Linda. 

He spent his early childhood growing up in Fort Garlard. He told us tales ofsheriffs riding white horses, riding horse drawn wagons with his grandmother, and going to the well with his sister Emma. He became the Domingo-kid one day when his mother gave him some coins and sent him with his sister to the local drug store. He knew what he wanted but did not know exactly how to say it in English. So, he told the shop keeper he wanted two ice cream domingos. From that day on the shop keeper called him the domingo kid.

Armando moved to Pueblo, Colorado with his parents where he finished growing up. He had his first business shining shoes at the D&M Cigar Store. He met the love of his life Beatrice in junior high school.  In 1956, Armando and Beatrice got married.  At the age of sixteen, Armando joined the Army.  His Army career did not last long as they figured out his age and he was discharged.  Upon returning home, Armando and Beatrice had two children, John and Carol.  Armando was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia on the USS Forrestal.  Armando was deployed several times to the Mediterranean. Armando and Beatrice had their third child Dorothy. In 1961, Armando served on the USS Forrestal during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

After the Navy, Armando settled in Cheyenne, Wyoming with his wife and their children.  This is where he started a career in the auto industry.  Armando was the Service Manager for Klipstien Automotive.  He owned a brand-new Plymouth Fury and would drive it back and forth from Cheyenne to Pueblo.  He said it would take him about two and half hours back then.  In 1965, Armando took his family on vacation to San Francisco. While driving around Haight Ashbury they saw many hippies everywhere. Armando would spend the rest of the 1960’s in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Armando moved back to Pueblo in the 1970’s where he would finish raising his family.  He continued his career in the auto industry as a Service Manager.  Every month he would get to drive around a new dealer demo vehicle. Armando loved to socialize and was a member of the G.I. Forum and the Moose Lodge where he was a bartender in his spare time.  In the late 1970’s, Armando decided to start his own auto repair business.  Armand’s Auto Service was successful and lasted into the early 1980’s. 

With economic times of the 1980’s and his daughters moving to Denver.  Armando decided to move to Brighton, Colorado to be close to his new grandsons.  Armando got back into the automotive industry and worked for Al Smith Chevrolet.  Armando would go on to become the Service Manager for Town and Country Auto Dealership.

In 1990, Armando went to work for Hyland Hills where he held many different job titles.  He was an event bus driver and got to experience all of what Colorado had to offer.  He took people to sporting events, concerts, plays, and all kinds of different Colorado experiences.  He would get tickets to Water World and Adventure Golf and would take his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews every summer.  He was able to build his house in Brighton right down the street from his three grandsons.  His proudest moment was when his grandson, Andre got his first job working with him at Hyland Hills Water World.     

 In the 2000’s, Armando helped each of his grandsons start a lawn mowing business during their teen years. Then, he saw his life’s hard work pay dividends in the form of his grandchildren graduating from college.  Armando decided to retire from Hyland Hills and went to work at the Brighton Recreation Center for fun.  While working at the recreation center he met and made friends with all kinds of people.  Each and every one of them looked up to him as a mentor.  In 2008, Armando and his wife, after working hard on his campaign, got to meet President Barack Obama when he came through Brighton. Armando was so happy and excited.

During the 2010’s, Armando and his grandson, Tommy turned his shed into a barbershop.  When he retired from the recreation center, he started giving free haircuts. He enjoyed spending his days cutting hair for people around the neighborhood.  Armando would continue to give car advise to his grandchildren.  He taught his grandchildren how to work on their cars. Armando would become a great-great grandfather getting to experience seven generations in his life time.

Armando is survived by his wife of 65 years Beatrice Romero. His son John (Mary Lou) Romero, and his daughters Carol (Tom) Lucero and Dorothy (Moses) Hermosillo. Seven grandchildren, Ninka Romero, Lisa (Estevan) Medina, Andre, Joseph and Thomas Lucero, Stephanie and Katie Hermosillo. Also, seven great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren, plus another great-great grand baby expected any day now. He leaves behind two brothers Manuel (Nancy) and Pete (Joanie) and four sisters Emma, Patsy, Elenor and Martha. His sisters and brother in-laws Helen (Lawrence)Trujillo, Linda (Jerry) Garcia and Jean Gonzales. He also has numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends to cherish his memory.

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