Eli Velarde

Eli Nathaniel Velarde, 53, of Velarde, was called home to be with the lord on June 28, 2021.  He was born on December 15th, 1967 beloved son of Mary Jovita Casillas-Velarde and stepdad Nicolas Casillas.  Eli is the beloved father of four daughters: Stephanie Velarde (Ed Wright), Natasha Roybal, Faith Richardson, Mercedes “Neika” Velarde, and three stepdaughters, Skylinn Swanson, Sadie Swanson, and Stephanie Zwak.

Eli Velarde graduated from Espanola Valley High School in 1985.  He was a bibliophile who was passionate about cooking, numismatics, antiquing and fishing.  If you gave Eli five minutes of your time, he would explain about the coins he collected, coin errors, those circulated for a brief time and what a coin was possibly worth.  Eli loved to read, his photographic memory gave him the advantage during his much-loved debates with family and friends.

Eli was preceded in death by the Father who raised him Jerry A. Velarde, his grandparents Irene and Miguel Maestas; Victoriana and Christobal Velarde; Louis and Candice Montoya, biological Father Eddie Montoya, He is survived by his sisters, Patricia Velarde, Michelle Velarde, brothers Jerry Velarde, Marvin Montoya; grandson Christian Baker; ex-wives Laura Goebel and Wynda Richardson.  He also leaves to mourn, many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who will miss him dearly.

Honorary Paul Bearers: Christian Baker, Lorenzo LJ Sanchez, Jerry Velarde, Levi Gutierrez, George Valdez, Ed Wright, Mark Valdez, James Vigil, Dominic Maestas, Nick Archuleta and Christopher Archuleta.

Services for Eli are Thursday July 8th, 2021: Public Viewing 6pm, Rosary 7pm, at DeVargas Funeral home.  Mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Velarde, NM at 11am July 9th, 2021. The family of Eli Nathaniel Velarde has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477-www.devargasfuneral.com