Joe “Ernie” Montoya was born in Alamosa, Colorado in 1932 to Delfin and Percide Montoya.
Delfin worked for the railroad as a mill foreman and Percide raised their three children, Querina
(Katy), Joe “Ernie” and Carlos. When visiting his Uncle Mike Dezula, Joe was given a cornet.
Uncle Mike said if he learned to play it, he could keep it and this was the start of a lifelong
pursuit of music. Ernie played the trumpet in the Alamosa High School band, and during college
he formed a dance band, “The Stardusters”, with his brother Carlos playing drums. Joe received
his BA from Adams State University, a Masters in Education from the University of
Colorado-Boulder and a Type D Certificate from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs,
and also studied at the University of New Mexico. Ernie taught in Colorado schools from 1954
until 1993. These included Las Animas County (Sopris, Hoehne and Branson), San Luis
Centennial High School, Trinidad High School, Trinidad State Junior College, School District #11
in Colorado Springs and was an evaluator for New Mexico State University instrumental student
music teachers. While at Trinidad High School, Joe brought the enrollment of the band from
seven to over a hundred, and his bands performed at halftime during a Bronco game and
performed in the Cotton Bowl parade. Joe says his greatest achievement was the number of his
students who went on to become successful band directors in their own right. Ernie was past
president of The Colorado Bandmasters Association. He was a member of the National Band
Association, Colorado Education Association, Colorado Music Association and Phi Beta Mu,
Honorary Bandmasters Fraternity. He served as Chairman with Jon Wiegardt to establish the
first Colorado All State Jazz Band, a joint venture with IAJ and CBA. He was inducted to the Hall
Fame in both the Colorado Bandmasters Association and the Colorado Music Educators
Association. He also was named Director of the Year by Phi Beta Mu. He was a member and
served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of Historical Trinidad. He was an Elder at three
Presbyterian Churches. He most cherished his honorary membership in the ‘Musica Maestro del
Colorado’, a group of Italian Bandmasters. As a testament to his leadership, Joe was joined by
three of his former students in the CBA Hall of Fame. Ernie loved cars and after retiring from
teaching, he bought a car dealership with his brother, Carlos, named “Del Motors”, after their
father. It was there that Joe met the love of his life, Patricia Armijo, in Trinidad, Colorado. Ernie’s
friendships were vast and spanned decades long with Jess Gerardi being his closest lifelong
friend. Joe was a leader in a variety of community and professional associations and could be
counted on to pull his friends and bandmates together for one more event/gig such as The
Stardusters, The National Guard Big Band, The Trinidaires Big Band, Kiwanis, Toastmasters,
Emmanuel Presbyterian Church Choir Director (Alamosa CO), Trinidad United Presbyterian
Church Choir Director, Trinidad Men’s Bowling League, Trinidad Riding Club, Music Director for
College and Community Productions Stars of Tomorrow, Choir Member for the Temple Aaron
Jewish High Holidays, and played with numerous local musicians like Puffy Herrera, Lou’s Crew,
The Joe Montoya Trio, Big Band of the Rio Grande, and the Philip Sousa Band, the Golden
Eagle Band and the Over the Hill Band. Joe is survived by his wife, Patricia Montoya, daughter
Jeannette Ortiz, and son Ted (Barbara) Armijo, grandchildren Josiah and Emma. Joe is also
survived by his brother, Carlos (Priscilla) Montoya and numerous nieces and nephews, and
cousin Rev. Dr. Nadyne Guzman. He is preceded in death by his parents Delfin and Percide
Montoya, his sister Querina (Katy), brother-in-inlaw Kenneth Vincent, and his son-in-law Dale
Ortiz. Joe will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his friends, his students, and his love of music. His family, friends, and students will miss him and his beautiful trumpet playing will
live on in our hearts for generations.
Visitation will be on Monday, February 26, 2024, at 9:30 am at Comi Chapel. Services will begin at 11:00 am at Comi Chapel followed by the Masonic Cemetery.
Arrangements made under the care of Comi Funeral Home
