Ponciano-(Ponce) - Age 77 - Nambe Lujan

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Ponciano (Ponce) Lujan, following a long illness, on Friday October 26, 2012. Ponce was a self-made businessman who owned and operated “Ponce’s” on the Los Alamos Highway. He made many life-long friends and customers during the more than 50 years that he ran his service station and he will be greatly missed by the entire community. Those of us fortunate enough to have been a part of his family will especially miss his powerful presence at our family gatherings. Ponce loved to be surrounded by family and friends and filled every room with his broad smile, his warm greetings and his booming voice singing favorites like “Las Mañanitas”. At the time of his death, he was surrounded by his loving family.\r\nPonce was born on October 24, 1935 in Nambe, NM to Juan R. and Bernabe G. Lujan. He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Jose and Ramon; sister Teresina and husband Luis Romero; brother-in-laws Eraquio “Laco” Roybal and LeRoy Ortiz; mother and father-in-law Conrada “Lala” and Leo Ortiz. He is survived by his loving wife Geraldine; his children Christie Porter, Barbara and husband Leonard Martinez, Ponce Jr. and wife Evelyn, and Lynda and husband Peter Trujillo; his grandchildren Sarah and husband Darin Knippenberg, Jonathan Zambrano, Savannah Phelps, Juan Carlos and Diego Trujillo; his great-grandchildren Liam, Calan, and Christopher; his wonderful sisters Patsy and husband John Montoya and Audelia Roybal and family; his special nephews Rick Romero (who was like a son) and family and Steve Roybal who were all of great help and comfort during his illness; his special niece “Hermanita” Bernie Garcia and family. His in-laws: Gilbert Ortiz (Cecilia) and family, Joe Leo Ortiz and family, Rosina (Dutch) Romero and family. Many other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends also survive him.\r\nPublic visitation will begin on Monday, October 29, 2012 at 6:00p.m. at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Nambe, with a rosary to follow at 7:00p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. also at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Nambe, with burial to follow at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Nambe. Assisting the family as pallbearers will be, Jonathan Zambrano, Rick Romero, Joseph Romero, Adrian Garcia, Steve Roybal, Juan Carlos Trujillo, Diego Trujillo, Rudy Lujan, and Ray Lujan Jr.\r\nHonorary Pall Bearers: Honorable State Representative Ben Lujan, Melisendro “Chendo” Roybal, Manuel Garcia, Ramon Garcia, Robert Garcia, Harold Lujan, Marcos Garcia, Eddie Herrera, and all SPMDTU member. The family of Ponciano (Ponce) Lujan has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 1-505-747-7477

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