Joel Baldonado

Joel Baldonado, 67, a resident of El Rito, took his last breath on Sunday morning, July 30, 2023, with his son by his side.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Eva Baldonado; infant brother Lemuel Baldonado; father-in-law Selustriano; mother-in-law Amada Gonzales; maternal grandparents Amarante and Filomena Valdez; son-in-law Eddie Martinez; brother-in-law Paul Jaramillo; nephew Ivan Baldonado and niece, Sonia Chacon.

Joel was born on April 26, 1956, in El Rito, to Horace and Eva Baldonado. He married the love of his life, Mary Baldonado, on August 11, 1979. Joel was a great husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend who loved the mountains and the outdoors.

He enjoyed going for wood, hunting, fishing, ATV riding, and barbecuing for friends and family. Some of his most enjoyable moments were spent hunting with his son, Lemuel. Most of all, he enjoyed going on his daily cruise with his wife, Mary.

Joel started his career as a logger, then proceeded to open two successful businesses, Baldonado Firewood and Baldonado Roasted Corn. Up until his passing, he was still running the Baldonado Firewood business. During his off hours, Joel worked at Matt's Windows & Glass with his brother Matthew and nephews Epifanio and Ivan. He also worked at R&E Glass with his brother-in-law Rudy and nephew Bert.

Joel will be missed tremendously by those who knew him. Joel is survived by his wife Mary of 44 years; daughters April Baldonado of El Rito, Lori Romero and husband Nelson of Chili, son Lemuel Baldonado of El Rito, grandson, raised like a son, Alex Martinez (Angela) of Las Vegas, NM, granddaughter, raised like a daughter, Aubrianna Martinez (Louie) of El Rito, grandson Zachary Lewis and granddaughter Jazmine Romero of chili, granddaughters Jayda and Jaylyn Baldonado of El Rito, great-grandson Louis Anthony Chacon of El Rito; brothers Matthew Baldonado and wife Ida of El Rito, Norbert Baldonado and wife Jeanell from Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Abenicio Baldonado and Susie of Las Vegas, NM; sisters, Elva Montoya and husband Rudy of Chili; Bernice McCann and husband John of White Rock, Delilah Baldonado and companion Toby of El Rito. Brother-in-laws Selustriano Gonzales (Lourie) of Gallina, Miguel Lujan of Espanola, Bonefacio Gonzales of Albuquerque, David Gonzales (Yodell) of Santa Fe, Finiano Gonzales of Gallina; sister-in-laws Petra Almeida (Rafael) of Farmington, Lorraine Gonzales (Randy) of Albuquerque, Brenda Gonzales (Joseph) of Rio Rancho, Debbie Rouse (Ronnie) of Santa Fe, and Bernadette Herrerra (Robert) of El Rito.

Public Viewing will begin on Thursday, August 10, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory, with a Memorial Service to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral Service will be held on Friday, August 11, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory, with a burial to follow at the El Rito Cemetery.

Serving the family as pallbearers: Lemuel Baldonado (son), Nelson Romero (son-in-law), Alex Martinez (grandson), Zachary Lewis (grandson), Epifanio Baldonado (nephew), Evan and Isaac Jaramillo (nephews), and Daniel Gonzales (nephew).

The family of Joel Baldonado has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley.   www.devargasfuneral.com   505-747-7477