Manuel Steve Tafoya Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Manuel Steve Tafoya April 3, 1948 – September 18, 2016 Today our family is without him, but we know where he is. He is with his family and friends who have already passed from this life, and has gone to a more peaceful place. Manuel has passed the test which this life gave him and can now rest from the cares of this world. Manuel S. Tafoya, 68, was reunited with his loved ones and into the loving arms of his Heavenly Father on September 18, 2016 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Releasing him from the pain and trials of this life. He was born April 3, 1948 in Dragerton, Carbon County, Utah. He was the oldest child of Juan Estevan Tafoya (Steve) and Ana Maria Bersabel Velasquez (Bertha). The family lived in Wellington, Utah for most of his childhood while his father worked in the Horse Canyon Mine. He loved to spend time at his grand-parents farm in Southern Colorado, learning how to survive without electricity and indoor plumbing. He would go fishing, exploring and learned how to help on the farm. Once he caught some toads and asked his mom and grandma to fry them because he heard they were good. He was so disappointed when he found out that it wasn’t toads, but frogs that were good to eat and he had to let them go. He liked to spend the day riding on the wagon with grandpa to sell things in town and around the small community. He especially loved his grandma. She was always spoiling him. In 1963 the family moved to Provo, Utah so his father could work for Geneva Steel. Manuel attended Dixon Jr. High and graduated from Provo High School in 1967, being the first in his family to graduate. He has always been a hard worker and in 1969 was hired on at Geneva Steel, becoming the 3rd generation to work there, his grandfather helping to build the plant in the early 1940’s. He went to Utah Technical College and became a Journey-man Millwright, and continued working at Geneva Steel until its closing in 2002. At that time he went back to school and took some auto mechanic classes, since he had always liked to work on vehicles. He had other jobs with Young Living, BYU studios and Dry-Lock for the next 5 years and then retired to enjoy working on his farm, and doing some traveling with his wife. Manuel boxed at Stan’s Boxing Club in Orem, Utah, and won many trophies and was State Golden Gloves Champion each year from 1972-1976. He also enjoyed helping with the training of the younger boxers. His greatest accomplishment in the world of Boxing was the chance to represent the USA at the Olympics in 1976, but was unable to go. He was also friends with Danny “Little Red” Lopez, and Ernie “Indian Red” Lopez, some of boxing’s greatest champions. Manuel married DeAnn Fotheringham in 1969, they had 5 girls together and later divorced. Manuel found his Sweetheart, Sandra Ostler and they were married on Valentine’s Day in 1987. They were later sealed in the Manti LDS Temple. They lived in Provo until 1994 when they built their current home on West Mountain (Payson), Utah. This was the farm that Manuel had always dreamed of, having their little “Piece of Heaven on Earth”. Together they did just that. They raised animals, planted gardens and trees, and enjoyed the view of the entire valley with its beauty and serenity. He had a flock of white homing pigeons, and loved to watch them fly. He liked to take them to different towns to see if they beat him home. Manuel always loved being out in nature. Hunting and fishing, horse-back riding, 4 wheeling, hiking or just exploring. That love for the outdoors continued throughout his life and he shared that love with his family. The most important thing to him was his family, and he enjoyed the times they spent together. They had many camping trips, reunions and just hanging out on the farm. The grandkids especially loved to come and go 4 wheeling and have him swing them on the “Big Swing”. It was fun camping out in the backyard, playing games and always eating great food. We will never forget the many water fights. Manuel loved his family very much. Manuel is survived by his wife, Sandy, his children, Manadi (Shane) Archuleta, Cynthia (Chris) Dale, Shelly (Mike) Anderson, Melisa Tafoya, Jannette Yvonne (Jeremy) Dellos. Step-son Jesse Creviston, Step-daughter Heidi Creviston. Siblings, Mary Ann Soloman, Lorraine Adams, Matilda(Grant) Shumway, Geneve/Jenni(Dan) Logan, Daniel(Irene) Tafoya, Teresa(Tony) Rackley and a adopted sister Emily Madrigal. 23 Grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren. His aunts, uncle, cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws. He is preceded in death by his Parents, Grandparents and little sister Lena. What a great reunion he must be having in Heaven with them and other family and friends. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The temple was a favorite place for him and his wife to be. Manuel had a simple, but growing Faith in God and Trust in His plan. He touched many lives with his love for life, and brought many smiles with his fun (and sometimes) funny personality. He often told Sandy that his job was to make her smile each day and he did a good job of it most of the time. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. We will cherish our memories and look forward to the day we will see him again and be greeted by his smile, and embrace him once more. Funeral services will be at 11:00 on September 29, 2016 at the West Mountain Church, 5327 West 10400 South Payson, Utah. There will be a viewing preceding the funeral from 9:00- 10:30 am. Interment will be next to his parents in the Orem City Cemetery. We, the family, are overwhelmed with the outpouring of love, prayers and service we have received through social media and personal visits during this past year. Manuel had so many friends that blessed his life, and he was so grateful to know that Sandy would be taken care of after he was gone. The family would like to thank the Doctors, Nurses, and all those who helped in his care. A special thank- you to his Hospice Nurse. He was always happy to see her, and she took such good care of him. We love you Margaret! We are so grateful that he is no longer in pain, and pray that a cure for this and all other cancers will be found soon.

Manuel Steve Tafoya

April 3, 1948 - September 18, 2016