Toribio Tonche Jr.

Toribio Tonche Jr., 74, of Sterling passed away Saturday, April 26, 2025, at home surrounded by his loving family. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 10, at First Baptist Church with Pastor Scott Morrison and Pastor Sean Cole officiating. A luncheon will follow in the fellowship hall. Junior was born February 16, 1951, in Haskell, Texas to Toribio Tonche Sr. and Nettie Angley. He attended schools in Haskell, Texas, the old Lincoln School and graduated from Sterling High School. He attended college at Northeastern Junior College and Trinidad State College. He grew up working with his dad, Byron Stone, Landmark and YOST. Later Junior and Steve Johnson formed a partnership to do concrete work. Junior was someone who was always getting calls to do home improvement projects. Junior enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1969 and was honorably discharged in 1972. After returning home, he met and married Rhonda Williams on March 23, 1973, by the justice of peace, Baxter Arnold. They renewed their marriage (almost 50 years later) and were married by Pastor David Baines. Junior enjoyed and participated in basketball, softball, baseball, volleyball, bowling and golf. He was a huge Steelers fan. Junior refused to retire, so he joined his wife and enjoyed some of her hobbies, which included catching over 300 feral cats and getting them TNR. They were also involved in Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes. He is preceded in death by his parents, nephew Joshua Crouch and grandson Noah Isaac Tonche. Junior is survived by his wife Rhonda; children Christina (Sid) Four Horn, Tony Tonche, Samantha (Josh Galvin) Tonche, and Todd (Randa) Tonche; grandchildren Britney, Taylor, Porter, and Karsyn; great-grandchildren Brynlee, Addi, and Raiden all of Sterling, CO; sisters Lucy Tiedt of Houston, TX and Kathy (Cordell) Elliston of San Felipe, Mexico; sister-in-law Cheryl Cameron of Sterling, CO; brother-in-law Roger (Jean) Williams of Aurora, CO and several nieces and nephews. Contributions may be made to the family to continue the packing and shipping of the shoe boxes during the Christmas season.