John T. (Manz) - age 37 - Española Lucero

John T. (Manz) Lucero, 37, a resident of Española, went to be with our Lord on Sunday, July 20, 2014. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Arturo Lucero and Susano Trujillo; grandmothers, Guadalupe and Antonia Trujillo; aunt, Corrine Castillo. John was a Machinist and Mechanic by trade. He was a very good and loving compassionate person, he was a loyal friend to many. John graduated in 1995 from Española Valley High School where he was outstanding wrestler. After graduation John enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served for 7 years moving up in rank to sergeant. While in the Marines he received the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Meritorious Master, and Riddle Expert Badge. John would say “Once a Marine, always a Marine”. He considered his Marine buddies his brothers and sisters. John loved to hunt, fish, watch boxing, basketball and football, he was a devoted Miami Dolphin fan. John is survived by his father, Toby and step-mother, Irene Lucero of Ojo Caliente; mother, Ruth Trujillo and companion Jesus of Loveland, CO; the loves of his life were his daughters, Analiese and Kaylena; mother of his daughters, Sara Sandoval; sisters, Nicole Lucero of Ojo Caliente/Las Cruces; Lupe Salazar of Loveland, CO; brother, Michael Padilla of Loveland, CO; grandmother, Margarita Lucero of El Rito; paternal aunts and uncles, David (Rosie) Lucero of El Rito, Eli (Lorraine) Lucero of Ojo Caliente, Carmen Lobato and Donna Maestas both of El Rito, Sr. Annette Lucero of Albuquerque; maternal aunts and uncles, Joe, Greg, and Archie Trujillo, Sophie (Jesus) Garcia of Española, Darlene Balderrama, Yvonne (Carlos) Ruiz, Amy Gonzales; nephews, Joelito Lara, Michael, Jr. and Christopher Sandoval; niece, Heather; step-father, Felipe Salazar and wife Sandra; three step-brothers and one step-sister, and numerous other relatives and close friends. Public visitation will begin on Tuesday, July 29, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory, with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Ohkay Owingeh. Burial to follow at 12:45 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers, Alvin Martinez, Anthony Montoya, Marcos Padilla, Anthony Vigil, David Vigil and Leonard Vigil. Honorary pallbearers named are his Marine brothers, Ray Zuniga and Joe Riggs, nephew, Joelito Lara, God-son, Christopher Sandoval, Ralph Martinez, Edward Martinez, Patrick Archuleta, Jose (Che) Castillo, Michael Padilla Jr. The family of John T. Lucero has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. \r\n

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