Felipe Gonzalo - Javier (Velez) Sotomayor
Obituary
Our family lost our patriarch and beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, and husband,
Felipe G. Sotomayor. He passed away at the age of 88 of natural causes. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, to Consepcion Velez Velez and Edmundo Unamuno Sotomayor. Felipe was the youngest of 10 children. He came to the United States in 1957 settling in Watsonville, CA. In 1958 he met his wife, Artemisa Jimenez. They were married that same year and had 3 sons together, Alfred, Arthur and Phillip.
Felipe spent most of his working years in the wholesale food industry, managing the distribution of products and managing product inventories for several different companies in both Watsonville and later in Utah.
After more than 34 years in Watsonville, Felipe and Artemisa moved to Ogden in 1991. There he spent his remaining years. Artemisa passed away in May of 2018 after over 60 years of marriage.
Felipe loved all kinds of sports. Futbol was his first love, because his brother Raul was so involved in the sport in California. Raul Sotomayor coached many championship men's teams in California during his lifetime and had a field named after him "Sotomayor Field"
in Watsonville. He enjoyed following the World Cup soccer tournament and the Ecuadorian National team. He later developed a passion for the Utah Jazz professional basketball team and was able to attend many games including a finals game in 1997 vs the Chicago Bulls with his youngest son Phil. Felipe was a devoted and an active member of the Jehovah's Witnesses. It was there that In July of 2019, Felipe met Gloria Granados. They soon developed a relationship, fell in love and were married in November of 2019. She remained by his side until his passing.
Felipe is survived by his wife Gloria Granados Sotomayor, his 3 sons Alfred wife Felicia,
Arthur, wife Susan and Phil, wife Julie, 6 grandchildren: Michael, Steven, Matthew, Kalyn, Haylee and Lauren; 4 great grandchildren: Autumn, Colton, Jaylin and Hudson.
Condolences may be shared at:
www.leavittsmortuary.com
Published in The Pajaronian · January 2, 2024