Jose R. - Age 85 - Jacona Roybal

JOSE R. ROYBAL, 85, a resident of Jacona, passed away on Tuesday, June 19, 2012. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose Ascencion and Luiza B. Roybal; son, Michael Joseph Roybal; brothers, J.C. , Arthur, Gustavo, Manuel, Gilbert and Alfonso Roybal; sisters, Ophelia Gebe, Madelyn Roybal and Celina Trujillo and in-laws, Jose and Juanita Valdez. Mr. Roybal is survived by his wife, Ruby V. Roybal; children, Barbara Roybal and partner Jo A Howell, Raymond Lawrence Roybal and wife Barbara and Arleen Roybal and husband Randy Teel; brothers and sisters, Tony Roybal and wife Delfina, Dennis Roybal and wife JoAnn, Mary Woodson and Carmen Montoya and husband Ben; grandchildren, Patricia Zubiate, Michael Andrew Roybal, Karen Roybal Devore, Josh Gonzales, Jacqueline G. Romero and Tomas Teel; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephew and other relatives and friends. Jose Ray graduated from Pojoaque High School in 1945 and joined the US Army and served in the occupational forces in Germany in the European Theater during WWII as a member of the Third Infantry Division. He was employed by the Atomic Energy Commission. After 30 years of service he retired as the Fire Chief of the Los Alamos Fire Department. After retirement he worked at the New Mexico State Fire Marshall’s office and as the Santa Fe County Fire Marshal. He was a member and officer of National Association of Retired Federal Employees. He was a founding member of the Pojoaque Valley Volunteer Fire Department. He was an active member in his children’s education by participating and supporting the first band in the Pojoaque school system. He also organized and coached the first Pojoaque Little League in the 1960’s. In the 1970’s he developed the first girls track field around his property so his daughter could bring track to Pojoaque High School. He served on the State and Local Soil and Water Conservation Commission. He served as a Commissioner of the local Acequia Del Barranco Blanco for over 30 years. Public visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe del Valle de Pojoaque Catholic Church with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe del Valle de Pojoaque Catholic Church. Burial will follow at 2:15 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery with full military honors. Serving the family as pallbearers will be: Randy Teel, George, Rudy and Raymond Valdez, Kenny Montoya and Brian Woodson; honorary pallbearers: Benny Lujan, Walter Leyba, Dale Hahn, Solamon Gonzales and Arsenio Trujillo. The family of Jose R. Roybal has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

---