Manuel Sotelo

Manuel Sotelo, 79, a resident of Tucson, AZ, entered eternal rest Friday, August 28, 2026, at Banner–University Medical Center in Tucson, AZ. He was born February 3, 1947, to Manuel Mazaira Sotelo and Hortencia Valenzuela Sotelo in Bisbee, Arizona, at Copper Queen Hospital.

Manuel was raised in Bisbee, Arizona, and was baptized on March 15, 1947, at Sacred Heart Church in Bisbee. He was a Roman Catholic throughout his life.

In 1967, Manuel entered the United States Army, beginning a military career that would take him to Vietnam. He entered active service on April 3, 1967, in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1968, he completed 42 weeks of Clinical Specialist training in El Paso, Texas, and served as a Clinical Specialist, Military Occupational Specialty 91C20, with a related civilian occupation of Licensed Practical Nurse and he was a registered nurse. He enjoyed working at St. Joseph's Hospital / Carondelet for 43 years. 

Manuel served in Vietnam from January 1, 1969, through December 30, 1969, completing 11 months and 29 days of foreign and sea service. He attained the rank of Specialist Six (SP6/E-6), with a date of rank of February 13, 1969. For his service, Manuel was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Medic Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Marksmanship Badge, Rifle. He was honorably released from active duty on December 31, 1970, at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Following his military service, Manuel continued his education at the University of Arizona, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree on May 17, 1975.

In 1967, Manuel married Bertha Soto, and they had four children. In 2015, he married Mary Jane Holder, who had four children from a previous marriage. Their marriage brought the two families together. Manuel and Mary Jane enjoyed spending time with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and traveling between their homes in Tucson, Arizona, and Virden, New Mexico.

He is survived by his three sons, Mano Sotelo (Carolyn) of Tucson, AZ, Omar Sotelo (Diane) of Tucson, AZ, and Bobby Holder (Kendra) of Virden, NM; his five daughters, Bertha Ann Rollins (Rick) of Tucson, AZ, Maria Teresa Shoemaker (Lucas) of Tucson, AZ, Lisa Barquin (Jim) of Flagstaff, AZ, Gina Foster (Rick) of Hazel Green, AL, and Cindy Brock (Bobby) of Tupelo, MS; his brother Ed Sotelo (Sheryl) of Homer, AK; his sisters Sylvia Carbajal (Joe) of Tucson, AZ, Becky Legge (Steve) of Tucson, AZ, and Diane Madrigal (Ruben) of Tucson, AZ; his twenty-five grandchildren; his sixteen great-grandchildren; his numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel Mazaira Sotelo and Hortencia Valenzuela Sotelo, and his wife, Mary Jane Sotelo.

The Memorial Service and viewing of the ashes will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Martinez Funeral Chapels, 2580 S. 6th Ave., Tucson, AZ. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Mission Church in Duncan, AZ. The inurnment will be held at Virden Catholic Cemetery in Virden, NM, following the Memorial Mass.

Arrangements are with Martinez Funeral Chapels, 520-547-3400. To send condolences, visit www.martinezfuneralchapels.com.