James Timothy Fuentes: 1967 – 2024
James Timothy Fuentes, age 56, of Cheyenne, Wyoming died at home surrounded by his family. He was born December 30, 1967, in Laramie, Wyoming to José Canuto Fuentes. He married his wife Michelle Pino September 5, 1987.
He worked for Clays truck service for many years and went to different companies of employment doing what he loved doing mechanic work. His job when he got sick was in the rock quarry at Simon’s. He loved that job. He loved working he always woke up happy to go to work. He loved working on his truck and driving it. He has a rat rod that he named Clazzic Ratt. He loved camping and fishing, putting car models together, coloring, making things out of wood. Most of all he loved his family.
James is preceded in death by his father, José Canuto Fuentes; and so many more loving family. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Michelle Fuentes; his five children: Timothy, Larry (Kayla), Drake (Stacy), Alexander, and Aaliyah Fuentes; grandchildren: Antonio, Alandria, Aulaureline, Joey Muñoz; he had many “adopted” kids: Gascas, Martínez, Camargo, Nolen’s, Boggus; his “adopted “granddaughters, Myra and Morgan Nolan; his sister, Annette Vigil (Orlando); uncle, Larry; and aunt, Jane Vigil; Daniel and Ramona Vigil; many, many cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Also, he is survived by some great friends including Bob Wiles and his wife, Leona; Dennis Romero; and many more friends that he held dear.
Services will be September 28, 2024 at 11 a.m. at Restoration Fellowship Church 522 Capital Ave Cheyenne, WY 82007.
Richard J. Hinze: 1941 – 2024
Richard J. Hinze, 82, of Cheyenne, passed away at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center on September 16, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 29, 1941, in Chicago Illinois to Milton and Olive Hinze.
Richard worked as a computer programmer for the Geodetic Survey Squadron at F.E. Warren AFB, and later for the State of Wyoming. In his youth he was an avid bowler, winning many trophies while participating in leagues and tournaments. Richard also loved spending time outdoors with his family as a member of the local chapter of the National Campers and Hikers Association. A NASCAR and all-around sports fan, he collected sports cards, sports memorabilia, and Hot Wheels, with a special love for his collection of models of corvettes.
He is survived by his three sons: Donald, Jonathan and Christopher; and by his two grandchildren, Sean and Tatum.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Olive and Milton; and his wife of 44 years, Rose.
Services will be held on Thursday, September 26, at 10 a.m. at the Wiederspahn Chapel of the Chimes, with burial to follow at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens.
Tracy Leigh Otis: 1961 – 2024
Tracy Otis, 63, of Cheyenne, found eternal peace on September 14, 2024. A gentle hippie at heart, she loved coffee, lilacs, and reading in the bathtub. She was a talented artist who enjoyed crafts in her spare time. She was a loyal, patient, kind, and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend who made every day special and every road trip and holiday magical. She will be missed greatly by everyone who knew her but lives on through our memories.
“Nail,” as she was affectionately known by her father and brothers, was an Air Force kid who traveled the world, including North Dakota; Okinawa, Japan; California; and Minnesota before eventually settling in Wyoming.
Tracy and her husband of nearly 40 years honeymooned in Yellowstone Park, then raised four daughters together in Hillsdale, east of Cheyenne. She worked hard without complaint her whole life, often rising before dawn to make coffee and breakfast burritos for her husband and his coworkers. She taught her daughters how to swim, sew, cook, forage, garden, take care of animals, and make home remedies. She was involved in their academic and extracurricular lives, volunteering at school, shuttling kids to and from practices, games, and high school jobs, sewing matching dresses for school concerts, and encouraging them to always be themselves and try their best. She cared for her girls when they were sad, scared, or sick and her comforting touch always made things better.
Together, the Otis family enjoyed picking dandelions to make homemade “honey” jelly, camping and stargazing in the backyard, hiking, working on home improvement projects, “pioneer nights” reading the Little House books by oil lamp, doing puzzles together, and sharing chocolate bars while watching their favorite shows. For summer road trips around Wyoming and neighboring states, Tracy researched fun things to do, created busy boxes for the car, and prepared sandwiches and snacks.
Tracy went all out for the holidays, leading her kids in craft activities and making themed treats. She made almost every Halloween costume from scratch. An excellent cook, she prepared elaborate Thanksgiving feasts that were enjoyed by her family and later, by her sons-in-law. The day after Thanksgiving was always lefse day, where she taught her kids how to make thin Norwegian flatbreads from leftover mashed potatoes then spread them with butter and sprinkle them with sugar. Every Christmas stocking and Easter basket was exceptional.
Tracy had one grandson and three granddaughters. She paid attention to their unique personalities, learning about their interests, playing games, and finding unique gifts, like real gas masks and make-your-own-soda kits. She enjoyed hours chatting with her kids on the porch while the grandkids played.
She was preceded in her journey by her mother. She is survived by her father, two brothers, her husband, four daughters, three sons-in-law, and four grandchildren.
At Tracy’s request, no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please treat yourselves and your families to a special experience in her honor.
Dennis Joseph Santora: 1959 – 2024
Dennis J. Santora, of Cheyenne, passed at home surrounding by his loving family. He was born on November 20, 1959 in Cheyenne to his parents, Tony and Sophie.
Dennis was a devoted father and husband. Everyone who knew him knows how bubbly, stubborn, and kind he truly was. As an avid cowboy and outdoorsman he was always busy. He was happily retired from the Wyoming Department of Transportation as a heavy equipment mechanic. Dennis met his loving wife as a trail guide and wrangler in Estes Park, where they fell in love. Dennis’s sense of humor will be missed greatly.
He is survived by Christine Santora (his wife); Brianna Rivord (his daughter); Ashley Santora (his daughter); Sue McGaugh (his sister); Morris McGaugh (Sue’s husband); Casey Henry (nephew); Amy Henry (Casey’s wife).
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Sophie and Tony.
Dennis’s services will be held September 28, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Wiederspahn Radomsky Chappel of the Chimes with a celebration of life to follow.
Scott Andrew Thomas: 1973 – 2024
Scott Andrew Thomas, 51, of Cheyenne, Wyoming passed away at home alone.
He was born January 2, 1973, in Billings, Montana to Donald and Janice (Herzog) Thomas. Scott was a 911 Dispatcher, security guard, and a handyman.
He loved hockey, he went to the dog races every Wednesday, played video games, liked to cook, liked baseball and he loved to play Army as a kid.
Scott was preceded in death by great-grandmother, Susan Smith; grandparents, Lawrence and Mabel Herzog and Frank and Betty Thomas; and father, Donald Thomas.
Service will be held at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes on September 26 at 2 p.m.
