Jose “Kiko” Calleros Oropeza and Katherine Louise Oropeza
On Monday April 27, Kiko (67) and Kathy (70) Oropeza, loving husband and wife passed away in their home in Miami, Ariz.
Kiko was born to J. Francisco Oropeza and Esperanza Oropeza (Calleros) May 4, 1952 in Parral, Chihuahua. He was the oldest of 11 children. Immigrated from Mexico when he was 9 yrs. old. He attended George Washington School and Miami High School. He worked at Nawfel’s Frosty Freeze where he met his wife Kathy Nawfel. They were married on Nov. 6, 1971 in Miami, Ariz., where they continued to reside. He worked for a time with General Electric and then landed up on the hill with Inspiration Consolated Copper Company where he retired after 43 years with Freeport-McMoRan.
Kiko was an excellent father truly you could not ask for a better dad. He was the best grandfather. You could trust him with anything. He was a most trustworthy person. He treated people with respect and was respected by many. He liked fishing, camping, and going real fast in his truck, enjoyed many cars shows in the area was very well known for his black 59’ Apache Fleetside truck. And he definitely was “Mr. Chevy Man” through and through. During retirement he enjoyed feeding his birds, fixing up his truck, spending time with family and his cat, Skittles.
Kathy was born to Kalil “Kelley” Nawfel and Eloise Catherine Martin (Jett) in Miami, Ariz. Kathy attended Spring Valley Elementary and Junior High in California. She then finished her high school education in Miami, at Miami High School while working at the family business Nawfel’s Frosty Freeze in Miami, Ariz. She graduated and moved to California. Where she worked for Bakers Burgers in El Centro, Calif., Jolly Kone in Riverside, Calif., and Sears in El Centro, Calif. she then moved back to Arizona. Kathy continued to grow in her faith as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and was baptized in July 1969 being faithful to the end. At this time, she continued working for family business Nawfel’s Frosty up until 1970, where she then met and married Kiko. She continued other various jobs, she very much enjoyed any type of work she was doing and always put a hundred percent into it. She was a loving wife, mother, best grandmother, and best friend you would ever have. She was more than willing to help in any way she could. She was a wonderful cook (will miss your green chile, momma). And excellent listener.
Kiko is preceded in death by his dad; Francisco Oropeza, his niece Josie Petracci, and his wife Katherine Oropeza. He is survived by his daughters; Kelly (Greg) Spitzer of Globe, Ariz., and Diane Oropeza of Globe, Ariz., Grandchildren; Valente Oropeza of Globe, Ariz., and Abram Oropeza of Miami, Ariz., 10 brother and sisters; David of Miami, Ariz., Maria Reyes of Globe, Ariz., Betty of Globe, Ariz., Espie Swinney of Central Heights, Ariz., Larry (Sherry) of Claypool, Ariz., Elida (Randy) Jenkins of Gnadenhutten, Ohio., Juan of Miami, Ariz., Victor (Bonnie) of Deer Valley, Ariz., Margaret Murrieta of Miami, Ariz., Martha Nelson of Mesa, Ariz.
Kathy is preceded in death by her sister; Mary Nawfel, parents; Eloise Catherine Martin and Kelley Nawfel, her husband Jose “KIKO” Oropeza, and niece Josie Petracci. She is survived by her brothers; Michael (Vickie) Nawfel of Everett, WA and John (Diana) Nawfel of Everett, WA, sister; Margaret Nawfel of Everett, WA.
Mom and Dad, words cannot express the emptiness we feel already, you will be deeply missed and never forgotten.
Services for Jose and Katherine will be held on Friday, May 15, 2020 at 11 a.m. Services will be streamed Via Zoom, the link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87491458918?pwd=WUVFVDJJYjE1SEFnYUhtZWJtOFk1dz09, you are also encourage to come to our website at www.BulmanMiles.com where you will be able to find the link by clicking their obituaries, this is where we will have the link provided. Once there copy the link and paste in the search bar. We are also encouraging you to sign the guestbook for the family. We will have a graveside service at 1 p.m. at the Globe City Cemetery. The family is asking for those who attend graveside to please practice social distancing, wear a mask, and if you are feeling ill or sick please stay home for the safety of others.
The family was assisted by Bulman Miles Funeral Services Globe.
Guestbook can be signed at www.BulmanMiles.com
