Obituaries (Jan. 6)

Pedro Aragon

1939-2020

Pedro Aragon, age 81, a life-long resident of Valencia, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020.

He was born and raised by Pedro and Francesquita Aragon, of Valencia, on Nov. 6, 1939. Pedro was married to his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Helen Baca Aragon. He enjoyed raising animals and loved riding horses. Pedro retired from farming and Aragon’s hay hauling.

Pedro is preceded in death by his siblings, Mercy Vigil and husband, Esequil, Rose Archuleta and husband, Phil, Margaret Chavez and husband, Florian, Leonides Chavez and husband, Jake, Angie Montoya and husband, Paul, Ester Sanders, Sofie Jojola and husband, Joe, Claudina Aragon, Felix Aragon and wife, Frances, Polo Aragon and wife, Ursula, Jose Aragon and wife, Albenita, Liberato “Libby” and Roosevelt Aragon, Antonio Baca and wife, Margaret, Frank Baca, Emma Sedillo, Clara Polk and Patsy Montoya.

Pedro is survived by his children, sons, Ivan Aragon and wife, Flaminia, of Adelino, Flores Aragon, of San Diego, Calif., James Aragon and wife, Mary, of Tomé; and his “hita,” his only daughter, Loretta Aragon, from the family home; his nephew, who was like a son, Michael Montoya, of Nashville, Tenn.; and his grandchildren, whom he adored, Dr. Jonathan James Aragon, Vanessa Zamora and her husband, J.V.; brother, Celedon Aragon and wife, Cindy; sister-in-law, Mela Aragon; Herb Sanders, Luga Calles, Ramon Baca and wife, Fela, Betty Sanchez and husband, Olojio, Ida Ortiz and husband, Tony, Odelio Baca and wife, Theresa, Cordelia Grady and husband, Shaun, and Jennifer Baca; two special grand-dogs, Roxy and Tracy; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Pedro’s family would like to thank Yvette, his caregiver, for her loving and kind care. Also thanks to his loving and devoted nephew, Paul Aragon, for always being there for him. Thanks to Chaplain Joel from Ambercare Hospice for your thoughtfulness to our family, as well as Ambercare Hospice and Hospice of New Mexico and Father Marshall from San Clemente Parish. Pallbearers will be Ivan, James, Jonathan, Paul, Eric and Flores.

Services will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Peralta. Interment followed at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Cemetery.

Please sign Pedro’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Dana Lee Bowley

Died 2020

Dana Lee Bowley, age 73, a long-time resident of Los Lunas, passed away on Monday, Dec. 28, 2020.

He was a member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Los Lunas.

A New Mexico native, Dana was a journalist, editor and publisher for several New Mexico news organizations, including the Valencia County News-Bulletin, Carlsbad Current Argus, Roswell Daily Record and El Defensor Chieftain in Socorro. Dana also served as executive director of the New Mexico Press Association.

He recently worked for the Belen Public Library as a computer tech helping the community access vital technology services.

Dana is preceded in death by his wife, Melanie Bowley; parents, Charles E. and Betty Bowley; sister, Pamela Lopez; and grandson, Dylan Combs.

He is survived by his daughters, Laura Combs and Kristen Hammer; son, Ryan Bowley; brothers, Michael Bowley and Charles T. Bowley; and grandchildren, Aaron Combs, Kevin Bowley, Danny Bowley and Leena Hammer.

Services will be held at a later date. A virtual memorial can be viewed at tinyurl.com/dbowley.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity Dana was involved in through his church, Roadblock NM. Roadblock is committed to advocating for victims of human trafficking throughout New Mexico. Please include Roadblock NM on the check memo line.

St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, C/O Laurel Neher, 4190 Agave Court SW, Los Lunas, NM, 87031.

Avilio Chavez and Virginia Sais Chavez

Died 2020

Avilio Chavez, age 85, passed away on Dec. 1, 2020, and Virginia Sais Chavez, age 79, passed away on Dec. 11, 2020.

They grew up in Los Chavez and Belen, respectively, and lived the bulk of their life in Montebello, Calif.

Avilio worked at Nabisco until retirement, and Virginia worked part-time at a doctor’s office until she became a full-time grandparent.

Avilio’s hobbies include working on cars and playing his guitar. Virginia loved to do crossword puzzles and care for her pets.

They are preceded in death by their daughter, Loretta Annette Guerra.

They are survived by their grandchildren, Amanda Ammon, Louie Garcia, Charlie Northup, Sasha Guerra; great-grandchildren, Kaleb Garcia, Luke Garcia, Cheyenne Garcia, Nayeli Garcia, Annika Ammon and Alrik Ammon.

They have many beloved family members still residing in New Mexico.

At this time, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Fred J. Gallegos

1940-2021

Fred J. Gallegos, age 80, went to be with his heavenly father on Jan. 1, 2021.

He is preceded in death by his father, Federico (Fred) Gallegos; mother, Clotilde (Tillie) Trujillo Gallegos and wife, Petra Gallegos.

Fred is survived by his children, sons, James Gallegos and his wife, Ursula Gallegos, of Espanola, Daniel Gallegos and his wife, Kay Gallegos, of Fort Worth, Texas, and daughter, Valerie Gallegos-Botz and her husband, Scott Botz, of Smithville, Texas; and his grandchildren, Matthew Tanner and his wife, Kadie Tanner, Anastasia Gallegos and her husband, Adam Fults, Tatiana Gallegos, Maya Gallegos, Louis Gallegos, Sierra Gallegos and Aysia Gallegos; great-grandchildren, Emma Tanner and Colton Fults; sister, Reina Cope; brothers, Dennis Gallegos, Greg Gallegos and Martin Gallegos; and many nieces and nephews.

Fred enlisted in the U.S. Army right out of high school and served four years. He also worked at General Electric in Albuquerque for 35 years until retirement. He loved being with his children and grandchildren. Fred was a master craftsman and had a passion for leather work, forgery, gardening and making his own wine.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing and the Single Action Shooting Society (SASH) Gun Club. Fred had a witty sense of humor and enjoyed having company and long conversations with friends and family and never met a stranger.

Services will begin on Sunday, Jan. 10, with a public viewing at 2:30 p.m. at the Romero Funeral Home Chapel. At 9:30 a.m., Monday, Jan. 11, there will be a Rosary to be recited at San Clemente Catholic Church, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Interment will take place following at the Sedillo Cemetery.

Please sign Fred’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Mary E. Martinez

1930-2020

Mary E. Martinez, 90 years of age, went to rest with our heavenly Father on Dec. 20, 2020.

Mary was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, sister and aunt to a family whom she loved with all her heart.

Mary was born on Nov. 21, 1930, to the late Ezequiel and Trinidad Jaramillo, in Jarales.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Luis Martinez, of 48 years; her son, Anthony Martinez; and four sisters and two brothers.

Mary is survived by her son, Steve and wife, Donna Martinez, of Los Lunas; son, Paul, and wife, Lisa Martinez, of Miami, Fla.; and daughter, Rosemary and husband, Alex Valdez, of Espanola. Mary had 10 grandchildren, Justin and wife, Jasmine Martinez, Jessica Valdez and husband, Tim Maestas, Alexis and husband, Scott Darnell, Angela and husband, Chas Alonen, Rebecca Valdez and fiancé, Chris McKee, Adrian Martinez, Celina and husband, Jared Womack, Elena Martinez, Michael and Nicole Martinez. Mary is also survived by her 12 great-grandchildren, seven sisters, two brothers, many nieces and nephews and friends.

Mary retired from Belen Consolidated Schools as a bus driver. She loved gardening, feeding her humming birds, completing puzzle books, watching cowboy movies and eating out. Her biggest joy came from spending time with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and family. She will be remembered for her beautiful smile and witty sense of humor.

Mary’s grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, private funeral services for the immediate family were held on Jan. 4 at San Clemente Catholic Church. Interment followed at Our Lady of Belen Cemetery.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date for family and friends to celebrate the life of Mary E. Martinez.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.

Jose Patricio “Pat” Romero

1949 -2020

Jose Patricio “Pat” Romero, age 71, a resident of Belen, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020.

He was a member of the building trades and was a licensed electrician. Pat was a businessman and owner of Pat’s Electric. He was a public employee, providing maintenance services to some of the most vulnerable residents of the area.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Jacobo and Oralia Romero; and his brother, Melvin Romero.

He is survived by his wife, Natalia Romero; two daughters, Elizabeth (Lisa) Romero and husband, Fred Sierra, and Aidee Lunsford and husband, Jeff; sons, Bobby Romero, Javier Granados and wife, Emilia, Angel Granados and Daniel Granados; 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; brothers, Severo Romero and wife, Roseann; Gilbert Romero and wife, Beverly; sisters, Ninfa Baca, Eulogia Diaz, Gloria Manila, Nancy Romero, Esther Lopez and husband, Ezequiel, Lucy Romero, Dora Perez and husband, Heriberto, and Diana Ramos and husband, Bernardo.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 8, at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Las Nutrias.

Pallbearers will be Jose Romero, Randy Romero, Andy Romero, Antonio Lopez, Danny Sugimoto and Anthony Atencio. Honorary pallbearers are Alfred Baca, Javier Granados, Angel Granados, Daniel Granados and Bobby Romero.

The Romero family is deeply grateful to the medical and support staff at Presbyterian Hospital for their care of COVID-19 patients.

Please sign Pat’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

Billie Silva

1933-2020

Billie Silva went home on Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2020, where she was welcomed into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ, whom she had dedicated her life to.

Billie was also greeted by her husband, Luis, with whom she had longed to be reunited with since his passing in 2019.

She leaves behind a grieving family, who will miss her cooking and her generosity as you could never leave her house without getting food to take home! She would never hesitate to speak her mind, give you a strong opinion or engage you in a conversation.

We all appreciated and will miss her sense of humor and her quick wit as she always had a comeback for you. She was a true servant and dedicated her life to serving in health care, caregiving, cooking and serving in her church wherever she was needed. She was a giver, whether giving you a piece of her mind at times or giving you something to eat — this is her legacy!

Billie was born on Sept. 21, 1933, in San Juan, N.M., to Mariano and Gregarita Apodaca, who preceded her in death. She had seven siblings, Inez Apodaca, Mariano Apodaca, Cecilia Romero, Joe Eylicio, Albert Ortega, Nery Madrid and Julia Sanchez.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Luis Silva. She described their marriage as the “proudest accomplishment of her life.” She was also preceded by her daughter, Louise Silva; and her son-in-law, Billy Marez.

She is survived by her daughter, Lora Marez, who was her primary caregiver for the past two years; her son, Steve Silva and wife, Angela; and son, Scotty Silva and wife, Carrie. She also leaves a legacy of a family that loved her dearly, including 12 grandchildren, Shawn (Tricia) Marez, Liana (Mike) Nasci, Jolene (Tony) Fantauzzi, Billie (Everett) Padilla, Genelle Gallegos, Joshua (Adriana) Gallegos, Jeremiah (Marie) Gallegos, Jessica Silva, David (Robin) Silva, Theresa (Daniel) Schmitz, Andrea Silva and Thomas Silva. She also had 30 great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.

She will be greatly missed, but we also take comfort in knowing that she is in the peaceful and joyful presence of Christ in her eternal home, and reunited with her husband and family, who have been waiting for that heavenly reunion.

A memorial service will be held at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 9, at Calvary Chapel Rio Grande in Belen, with a service to follow at 10 a.m. Interment will be held at Santa Fe National Cemetery at a later date.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.

Richard George Torres

1944-2020

Richard George Torres, 76, of Belen, died at Presbyterian Rust Medical Center on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020.

He was born on June 27, 1944, to Estella and Paul Torres in Belen, the fifth of six children. He graduated from Belen High School in 1962 and then studied at NMSU on a scholarship.

Richard was a mechanical engineer by trade, and loved rebuilding engines and fishing especially for salmon in Alaska. He was a United States Army veteran and served in the National Guard. He retired from Burlington Nothern Santa Fe Railroad as a supervisor after 30 years of service, but even in retirement he never stopped working with his hands, fixing cars, trucks, tractors and practically any engine brought his way.

Richard enjoyed the simple things of life, and was known for his lively humor, contagious laugh, no-nonsense nature, frank conversations, wise advice and generous heart.

He is survived by his children, Carlos and Nancy Torres and Roxanna Torres-Patterson; grandchildren, Celina, Janelle, Isaac, Cyan, Campbell, Minerva, Micheil, Quinn; and great- grandchildren, Elayna and Isayah. He is also survived by sister, Henrietta.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Joe, Paul and Frank; and his sister, Maggie.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.

Rudy Vallejos

1966-2020

Rudy Vallejos passed away on Dec. 31, 2020, in Belen.

He was born on Sept. 3, 1966, in Cubero, N.M. Rudy worked many years for the city of Albuquerque.

Rudy was preceded in death by his parents, Ramona and Daniel Vallejos; and siblings, Anthony and Debra.

He is survived by his children, Daniel Vallejos (Angel), and their sons, Anthony, J.J. and little Daniel, and Kayla Marie (Cody) Carrillo, and their daughters, Julianna, Brianna, Christianna, Savanna and Gianna; his partner of 13 years, Marcia Torres, of Belen; his siblings, Delilah Vallejos, Gloria Aragon, of Albuquerque, Elizabeth Vallejos and Germaine Rodriguez, of Cubero; his brother, Carlos Vallejos, of Milan; several godchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends, who loved him dearly.

Rudy lived life to the fullest. His companionship with Marcia was unbreakable, and their time spent together are memories that will last a lifetime.

Rudy never met a stranger; he was very approachable and loved to make people feel welcomed as if they were his family. His stories he loved to tell will continue in heaven as they did on Earth.

He is now pain free and rejoicing in his heavenly kingdom with our Lord Jesus Christ.

He is loved by many, and will be truly missed. Fly high, Rudy.

Services will be held in Cubero, N.M, at a later date due to C0VID-19. Daniel Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.