Gilbert Roybal

Gilbert Joe Roybal, 65 of Melrose, NM passed away at his home on Wednesday, April 13, 2022. He was born October 26, 1956 in Yeso, NM to the home of Tiofilo and Lucy (Sanchez) Roybal. He was raised in Fort Sumner where he attended school, and participated in school sports. Gilbert graduated from Fort Sumner High School in 1976. He worked in the mines at Grants, NM, worked for a seismograph company in parts of Colorado and Texas with many of the work days commuting by helicopter. Gilbert was an accomplished auto body painter, he worked for Nova Bus in Roswell for many years. Following his retirement he made his home in Melrose in 1999. In his pasttimes he enjoyed working on vehicles, painting 4-wheelers. He enjoyed being with his family and friends, hunting, cooking and always prepared a great barbeque. He was the Wheeler-Dealer of Melrose always buying and selling vehicles. He enjoyed football and his favorite team were the Dallas Cowboys. Gilbert is preceded in death by his parents Tiofilo and Lucy Roybal, a brother Larry Roybal, and a sister Margaret Lucero. Survivors include his wife Angie (Saiz) Roybal of Melrose, four daughters Melisa Moore (Damon) of Albuquerque, Stephanie Lopez of Albuquerque, Andrea Lucero of Fort Sumner, and Debbie Carrol of Fort Sumner, three sons Gilbert Roybal Jr. (Danyell) of Fort Sumner, Christopher Saiz of Melrose, and Ruben Hernandez Jr. of Melrose; 21 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his two sisters Frances Trujillo (Sonny) of Roswell, NM, Helen Casaus of Clovis, and three brothers T.M. Roybal Jr. (Christina) of Fort Sumner, Mike Roybal (Lorraine) of Montezuma, NM and John Roybal (Barbara) of Plainview, TX. Holy Rosary will be recited at 10:00 am Friday, April 22, 2022 followed by the funeral Mass. Services will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner with Father Sotero Sena officiating. Interment of cremains will follow at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Urn bearer will be his wife Angie Roybal, honorary bearers will be his children, Melisa, Gilbert, Stephanie, Andrea, Christopher and Ruben. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311.