In Loving Memory of Miguel Angel Sotelo

Miguel Angel Sotelo, age 64, passed away on May 28, 2026, in Las Cruces, New Mexico after a courageous battle with pneumonia and heart complications.

Miguel was born on September 19, 1961, in Juárez, Mexico, to Alejandrina Sotelo. He was lovingly raised in Roswell, New Mexico by his mother and her husband, Farrell Wheeler “Shorty”, who helped shape the man he would become.

Miguel is survived by his son, Manuel Farias; his daughter, Melody Magers; his four grandchildren; his brothers, Jorge Sotelo, Farrell Wheeler Jr., and Freddy Wheeler; his sister, Olga Mendoza; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and patrons of the Waffle and Pancake Shoppe work family and friends who will forever cherish his memory.

Miguel’s life was defined by family, humor, generosity, and a deep connection to the people around him.

Growing up in Roswell, Miguel was a natural athlete. At Mountain View Middle School, where he played for the Mustangs, he excelled in multiple sports including baseball, football, track and field, shot put, and discus. His Mom and dad loved to go watch him play. A story often shared by the family captures the kind of person he was even as a young boy. While he was playing baseball, his younger brother was throwing a ball from the sidelines. When a coach asked who the boy was, Miguel proudly said, “That’s my little brother. He’s a pretty good pitcher.” That moment led to his brother being invited onto the team,an early example of Miguel’s encouragement, pride in his family, and ability to open doors for others.

Miguel continued his athletic journey at Roswell High School, where he played center for the Roswell Coyotes football team. His talent and dedication earned him a full scholarship to New Mexico Military Institute, where he played football for two years. During this time, he was also recognized and scouted for potential opportunities at the professional level. Though he did not ultimately move forward into professional football after being told he was “too short,” those who knew Miguel often smile at that memory, remembering how large he truly was in heart, spirit, and presence.

Following his time at New Mexico Military Institute, Miguel went to work at TMC, a manufacturing company in Roswell known for building greyhound buses. During his employment there, he suffered a serious workplace injury after stepping onto a catwalk. The injury changed the course of his life, but true to his nature, Miguel focused not on what had happened to him, but on how he could move forward and care for those around him.

After reaching a settlement, Miguel used much of the money not for himself, but for the people he loved. Family members fondly remember him buying Nike shoes and Nike shirts for his nieces, nephews, brothers, and sisters. He took great pride in making others happy and enjoyed sharing his blessings with those closest to him.

Many remember him as the "cool uncle" who always seemed larger than life. He drove a Toyota truck that he was proud of, loved his Nike gear, and found genuine joy in treating his family whenever he could. For Miguel, generosity came naturally. If he had something and someone else needed it or wanted it, chances are he would gladly share it.

Those memories remain some of the family's favorites, not because of the money itself, but because of what it revealed about Miguel's heart. His greatest joy was never what he owned, but what he could give.

After recovering from his injury and beginning a new chapter in life, Miguel moved to La Luz, New Mexico where he lived with his cousin Oscar. He later became a kitchen manager at the Holiday Inn in Alamogordo, New Mexico. It was there that he met Kelly, who would become the mother of his children and shared 24 years of life’s journey with him.

Their relationship began in Alamogordo and grew into a family. Together they welcomed two children, Manuel and Melody, who would become the center of Miguel’s world. Throughout the years, life took them on many adventures. The family spent time living in places such as Sullivan City, Texas. Hart Michigan, and Roswell, NM before ultimately returning to Alamogordo, where their children were raised and where many of their most cherished memories were made.

While Miguel wore many titles throughout his life, athlete, cook, uncle, brother, and friend, the title he cherished most was Dad and grandpa.

Miguel loved his children and grandchildren fiercely and without condition. He was protective, devoted, and deeply involved in their lives. He was the father who showed up. He picked them up from school every day, made sure they were fed, and never missed an opportunity to make them smile. As a cook, one of his favorite ways to show love was through food. Whether it was a meal prepared at home, a favorite snack, or something brought from work, Miguel made sure his children never went without.

He believed his children deserved the best, and anyone who knew him remembers his love for Nike. Just as he had done for his nieces and nephews, Miguel wanted Manuel and Melody to have the things that brought them confidence and happiness. He enjoyed spoiling them whenever he could and took pride in seeing them smile.

To Manuel and Melody, their father was larger than life. He filled their days with laughter, protected them with everything he had, and loved them with a devotion that never wavered. His presence brought comfort, security, and joy, and the memories he created with them will remain treasured for a lifetime.

Though Miguel’s journey on earth has come to an end, the love he poured into his children continues to live on through them every day. Of all the accomplishments in his life, perhaps his greatest legacy is the family he helped create and the love he gave so freely.

Beyond sports and his family, Miguel built a life defined by hard work and connection to people. He spent many years working at the Waffle and Pancake Shop, where he was more than just a cook, he was family. His coworkers became his work family, and many customers became familiar faces he saw day after day. He had a way of making people feel welcome, leaving them with smiles, laughter, and a full heart along with their meals. The outpouring of love from the community, including countless messages and memories shared on social media, reflects just how deeply he impacted the lives of those who came through those doors. (recent post: 60,599 views)

Miguel was known for his unmistakable personality. He was often seen wearing his San Francisco hat and was a proud Dallas Cowboys fan. His style, humor, and energy were part of what made him so memorable.

To his family, Miguel was one of the funniest and most loving person they knew. His nieces describe him as someone who could light up any room with his humor and presence. They say he must have inherited his sense of humor from his mother. One niece fondly remembers how he gave away things without hesitation, like taking off a beloved Celtics jacket and handing it over simply because he thought someone else liked it. That was Miguel, generous, playful, and always thinking of others.

Miguel loved deeply and gave freely. He believed in showing up for his family, sharing what he had, and making people laugh even in difficult moments. His life was not defined only by achievements, but by the way he made people feel seen, valued, and loved.

Though his passing leaves an immeasurable void, his memory will continue to live on through his children, grandchildren, family, friends, coworkers, and every person who had the privilege of knowing him.

We will remember his laughter. We will remember his generosity. We will remember his love. And we will carry him with us, always. Forever loved. Forever missed. Forever remembered.

Funeral services, dates, and arrangements will be listed below.
Services for Miguel will be at Mountain View Church in Alamogordo, NM on June 23, 2026. Time will announced at a later date.

Dad,
There are no words that can truly express how much you meant to us or how deeply you will be missed. Thank you for every lesson, every laugh, every sacrifice, and every memory. Thank you for showing us the importance of family, hard work, kindness, and finding humor even during life’s hardest moments.

Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort knowing that your love will remain with us forever. We will carry your stories, your laughter, and your spirit with us every day.

You may no longer walk beside us, but you will never leave our hearts.

Family Prayer and Blessing
Heavenly Father,

Today we entrust Miguel into Your loving arms. Thank You for the gift of his life, for the laughter he shared, the love he gave, and the countless lives he touched throughout his journey.

Wrap our family in Your comfort during this time of sorrow. Give us strength when the days feel heavy and peace when our hearts ache. Help us remember not only the sadness of his passing but also the joy of his life and the memories we were blessed to share with him.

May Miguel find eternal rest in Your presence, free from pain and suffering. May perpetual light shine upon him, and may his soul be surrounded by Your everlasting love.

As we say goodbye for now, we hold tightly to the promise that love never truly leaves us. May we honor Miguel by living with the same generosity, humor, loyalty, and love that he showed to so many.

Amen.

May God bless the Sotelo, Farias, Magers, Wheeler, and Mendoza families and all those who loved Miguel. May His peace be with us today and always.

You will always be our father, our protector, our biggest supporter, and our greatest source of laughter.

We love you forever.

- Manuel, Melody, Kelly and Family

“In our hearts, you will always be. Always.”