Arturo Herrera

Arturo Herrera

Arturo was born in El Paso, Texas to Manuel Herrera and Carmen Barbosa Herrera on October 19, 1948. Arturo has an older sister, Alicia and a younger brother, Alfredo who live in El Paso.

Art, known as Mongoose to his friends, graduated from El Paso High School in 1967 where he was the Student Body President. He was the recipient of the El Paso Lions Club’s Golden Scroll award for the most outstanding scholar and athlete in all El Paso. Art starred in football, baseball, track, and basketball for the Tigers.

Art accepted a football scholarship at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. He was All Conference and voted the most outstanding offensive lineman for the Rams. He graduated in 1972 with a degree in Physical Education, and briefly played professionally in the Canadian Football League. He went back to school in 1981 for a master’s in educational administration.

Art met Jan, his future wife, in 1973 when they were both first year teachers at Highland High School in Ault, Colorado. Art taught P.E., health, and science while coaching football, girls basketball, wrestling and track. He was a class sponsor. In 1979, he became the athletic director and assistant principal.

n 1979, Art married Janell Beth Carlile in Fort Collins. Their first son Adam Joseph Elliot was born in 1982 and passed away the same year. Jacob Carlile was born in 1983 and Joseph Aaron was born in 1985.

In 1984, Art moved to Brighton High School where he was the Assistant Principal and Athletic director for 22 years. In addition to his role as athletic director, he filled in coaching several sports to ensure students had as many opportunities to participate as possible. In 2000, the Herrera family moved from Northglenn to Brighton, so that his boys could attend BHS, since Art believed so much in the school. He also lovingly coached his sons’ little league baseball, football, and basketball teams.

In 2006, Art retired from BHS, and he went on to Frontier Airlines, where he worked part time as a Scout, helping customers navigate through DIA. Through his work with the airline, he was able to attend every single one of his son’s college football games across the country. He and Jan frequently traveled for pleasure and to be a part of family special events. Art was dedicated to umpiring baseball and softball. He pursued his hobbies of stamp and coin collecting, and loved playing bridge and dancing with Jan. If there ever was a construction project that needed work, he would be the first person to call. One of Art’s greatest joys was cooking great meals for his family and friends. He was happiest when his family was all together, and he cherished time spent with his six grandchildren.   

Art is survived by his sister, Alicia; brother, Alfredo; wife, Jan; sons Jacob and Joseph; Daughters in Law, Sherikera and Nicole; Grandchildren; Theodore, Christian, Lucy, Henry, Cadence and Otis. He is preceded in death by his mother, Carmen; son, Adam; and grandchildren; Gabriel and Gabriella.

Donations in Art’s memory can be made to the Metro Denver Boys and Girls Club https://www.bgcmd.org/donate/

On Thursday morning there will be a link at the bottom of this Obituary page to view the Celebration of Life for Art live.

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