Michael Marshall Ayala, 68 of Leoti, KS died December 27, 2020 in Garden City, KS after a lengthy illness. He was born in La Junta, CO on October 11, 1952 to Nash and Virginia (Jaquez) Ayala.
Michael was the youngest of three children, him being the only boy. He attended West Elementary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School and junior high at St. Patrick’s Catholic School all in La Junta. He was fortunate to be able to attend 4 years of high school at Roncalli Catholic All-Boys school in Pueblo, CO, graduating with honors. After high school, he attended Otero Junior College for two years, transferring to Adams State College in Alamosa.
He moved to Colorado Springs, working in construction for two years. Returning to La Junta, he was a fixture at Warehouse Liquors from 1979-1989. In 1990, he moved to Leoti, KS, hiring on at the Kansas Department of Transportation, working his way from maintenance to supervisor, retiring in 2015. Upon his retirement, he enjoyed following the local sports teams of Leoti and any and all sporting events, especially his beloved Denver Broncos.
Michael was known for his care-free attitude, sense of humor which was above and beyond most. His sharp wit was tempered by his smile and laughter. He used to say his claim to fame was his starring roll as a field worker in Mr. Majestyk, filmed in La Junta in 1974.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Ledia (Torrez) Ayala, his father, Nash Ayala, Sister, Margaret (Roy) Grasmick, Nephew, Matthew (Jill) Valdez, Niece, Erika Valdez, brother-in laws, Alvin Torrez, Joe (Darlene) Torrez, Blas (Tammi) Torrez and sister-in-law Catalina (Jim) Harris and several relatives.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia (Jaquez) Ayala, sister, Alice Jean Valdez, mother and father in-law, Mike and Rose Torrez, brother-in-laws, Eddie, Gilbert, Tim and Pete Torrez, both paternal and maternal grandparents, along with several uncles and aunts.
In lieu of funeral services, he will be cremated and services to be held in La Junta at a later date.