Jose Tiofilo Eslen Sandoval

Jose Tiofilo Eslen Sandoval, a wonderful husband, father, brother, and grandfather went peacefully on May 1, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was born December 19, 1929 in Truchas, New Mexico to parents Amanda and Tiofilo Sandoval.

Tiofilo’s father was killed in a mining accident 4 months before his birth and was given his father’s name. On December, 1934 Amanda married Antonil Lucero who helped raise Tiofilo and brothers Eugenio and Serapio, who are both deceased. He enlisted in the U.S. ARMY on January of 1949 and served until January of 1952. He earned the rate of Sargent during the Korean Conflict while being stationed in Germany. While serving he was awarded The Army Occupation Medal (Japan), Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze stars, National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal. After serving his country he was employed at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs as a clerk and later as a Custodial Supervisor. His working nickname in Colorado Springs was Sand.

Funeral Service will be celebrated on Thursday, May 9, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church in Truchas with burial to follow at the Los Llanitos Cemetery. The family of Jose Tiofilo Eslen Sandoval has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.