Joe Romero

Joe Romero, a resident of San Pedro, went to eternal life on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gabriel and Dometila (Tillie) Romero, his beloved sons, Edward Romero and Andrew Casados and brother Adelmo Romero. Joe was born and raised in San Cristobal (Taos County) New Mexico.  Joe graduated from Taos High School where in his senior year, ran for student body president and lost; vowing never to lose again.  He decided early on to excel at every initiative he would participate in.  Joe went on to New Mexico State University and after two years transferred to NM Highlands University because of their strong business and accounting curriculum, graduating with the class of 1958.
After graduating from college Joe embarked in a 43 year career as an insurance agent with State Farm Insurance.  He served in the New Mexico House of Representatives for two terms.  Joe represented Rio Arriba County in the Constitutional Convention 0f 1969.  Joe was a consummate advocate for education, representing 10 northern counties as a member and chairman of the NM State Board of Education for 12 years.  Joe also served as a member and chairman of the Espanola School Board of Education.  Joe was instrumental in establishing the Espanola Family Crisis Center.  Joe chaired the Rio Arriba County Housing Authority for many years. He was active in the NM Acequias Association and was a commissioner of the Ortega Ditch for decades.  Joe was also a proud member of the Espanola Chapter of the Rotary Club, United Way and Chamber of Commerce. Joe is survived by the love of his life Marcella of the home and his lovely daughter, Holly Jo Romero-Sestrich (Doug) of Waldport, Oregon, his son Ralph L. Casados (Rosemarie) of Rio Rancho, his grandson, Diego Romero, Granddaughter Alexandria Romero and their mother Socorro Garcia Romero; grandchildren, Jayson, Mark, Isabela, Angelica Casados and three great grandchildren, Jasmine, Edward Joseph and Kaius Casados;  siblings,  Eliu Romero, Alice Vigil, Cora Chai, Fabiola Romero, Priscilla Romero-McComas (Robert), Robert Romero (Vera), Veronica Wilson, Eleanor Romero-Vigil (Alfredo), Ramon Pacheco (Amy) and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Public visitation will begin on Tuesday, April 4, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory, with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. A second rosary will be recited on Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, with a Mass of Christian burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Espanola, with the following serving as pallbearers Diego Romero, Jayson Casados, Mark Casados, Floyd Medina, Gary Vigil and Richard Quintana. The family of Joe Romero has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477

---