James “Jim” Anthony Sotomayor, Sr., passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026, at UCHealth Memorial North Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his brother Danny, sister-in-law Nancy, and his granddaughter Emily by his side.

Jim was born on June 12, 1946, in San Diego, Texas. He proudly served six years in the United States Army, specializing in Intelligence. Following his service, he earned an Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Kansas City, Kansas Community College. He went on to serve as both an officer and detective with the Leavenworth Police Department for several years.

Jim later spent the majority of his career working in maintenance within the Engineering Department at Cushing Memorial Hospital. He also served as a security guard at BCTC.

Texas always held a special place in Jim’s heart. He cherished his roots and took every opportunity he could to travel back, visiting places all across the state. More than anything else, he loved his family deeply and treasured the time spent with them. Jim enjoyed watching classic Westerns and listening to country music.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Trinidad Gomez Sotomayor and Dolly Dean Cain, and by his brothers, Trinidad and Richard Sotomayor.

Jim is survived by his children, James Sotomayor, Jr., and Jamie (Michael) Baskas, both of Leavenworth, Kansas; his brothers, Michael (Katy), Gilbert (Theresa) of Hutchinson, Kansas, and Danny (Nancy) of Ramah, Colorado; his grandchildren, Anita (Levi) Wagner of Winchester, Kansas, Emily Sotomayor of Copperas Cove, Texas, and Andrew Baskas of Leavenworth, Kansas; and his great-grandchildren, Abbigail and Brantley Wagner.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Ride easy, Cowboy. 

“I know it’s hard but, please don’t cry. Fer I’m now ridin gods trails high up in the sky” -Terry Ike Clanton