Jose Rosario Herrera

                                                                         Jose Rosario Herrera

 Jose Rosario Herrera entered into eternal life on February 2, 2025. He was born April 19,1937, to Alfredo and Mariquita Herrera in El Guache, NM.

Jose served with the New Mexico National Guard Battery D, 726th Artillery Battalion as an AAA Gun Crewman from 1954-1955, reaching the rank of E-3 before being honorably discharged to enlist in the U.S. Navy in 1955, where he served aboard the USS Blue as an engineer. He earned the China Service Medal and received the Good Conduct Medal in 1959, followed by an honorable discharged in 1961. Jose was proud of his military service and loved talking to his grandchildren about his travels and military experiences.

As a subcontractor employed by The Zia Company, Jose continued his service to the nation as a civilian working at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He later worked for 17 years as a security guard for the Ohkay Owingeh Casino. Whether he was serving his country in the military or helping to keep others safe, he took pride in all his work.

 Jose was a loving husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He and Chona were married 50 years and enjoyed doing outdoor activities with their family, such as camping and picking piñon. They also had fun going to the local casinos together. Jose’s grandchildren and great grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life, and he supported the upbringing of two of his great grandchildren.

Jose was preceded in death by his parents; in-laws Salomon and Rufina Duran; wife Asencion “Chona” Herrera; son Joe Anthony Herrera; brothers Alfredito, Paul, Clyde, Gilbert, Albert, Dennis, Fermin, and Leroy Herrera; sister Cordie Baca; sisters-in-law Helen Ortega and Ida Herrera; brother-in-law Esequiel Duran (Terry); and great granddaughter Ibis Aida Herrera.

Many family members and close friends will remember and miss Jose in his absence. He is survived by his daughter Emily Herrera; grandchildren Joey Herrera, Roycito (Nichol), Nicole Romero, and Jennifer (Antonio) Gonzales; great grandchildren Miya, Mikala, Esperanza, Anjelika, Joey, Anthony Jr., David, and Grace; sister Dora Serano; sister-in-law Yolanda (Jimmy) Montoya; brother-in-law Robert Herrera; and numerous nieces and nephews who loved spending time and making memories with their special uncle.

Emily Herrera and Jennifer Gonzales are grateful for the time they had with Jose in his final years to love and care for him. The Herrera family extends their gratitude to the staff at Presbyterian Hospice for their professional care, namely Cha Cha, Rosie, Lilliana, and Dr. Johnson, as well as to Colleen, Maggie, Debbie, Morgan, and Yisel of Nuclear Care Partners.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 10:30am at El Buen Pastor Church, 609 Calle Rivera, Espanola, NM.

The family of Jose Rosario Herrera has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home of the Espanola Valley 505-747-7477 DeVargasfuneral.com