Obituary of Frank Cota

Frank "Pancho" D. Cota Sr., Age 82, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 23, 2022, at home surrounded by his family and friends. He was born on November 5, 1939, in Magdalena, Sonora, Mexico. Pancho moved to Guadalupe, Arizona, when he was 10 years old and lived with his aunt and uncle until his parents and family arrive from Mexico a few months later. 

He attended school up until eighth grade where he graduated. He stopped going to school and started working for his uncle where he learned how to drive a semi-truck. 

In 1960, Pancho married Mary Lou Apodaca. 

He then purchased his own semi-truck and went into business for himself for a few years. He sold his truck and went back to work for his uncle. Pancho soon started working for Borden's for many years until they moved out of state. 

In 1972, his wife, Mary Lou,  passed away. A year later he remarried Esther Apodaca. 

He then worked for the Department of economic security in the office of appeals where he eventually retired from there in 2002. 

Pancho was a loyal fan to the Dallas Cowboys. He enjoyed watching the Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, and rooting for the Cardinals when they weren't playing the Cowboys. He loved to travel. Some of his favorite places to visit were Rocky Point, Laughlin, Las Vegas, but most of all Baldwin Park, California. He loved going to the casino here in town or out of state. 

Pancho is survived by his wife of 49 years, Esther Cota, 10 children: Juanita (Gibby), Frank Jr.  a.k.a. Kiko, Ramon (Teena), Hector (Grace Ann), Tommy (Suzi), Melissa, Monica, María Elena (Rock), Rosalinda (Robert) and Frankie a.k.a. Panchito. 26 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, two brothers: Reynaldo, Arturo, three sisters: Grace, Alma and Miluchi, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Memorial services will be held on Monday, October 10, 2022, at 10 AM at the Legacy Funeral Home in Chandler, located at 1374 N. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ 85225.