Jose Ismael Lucero

Jose “Smiley” Lucero, 86, of Las Vegas, NM and formerly of Pintada, NM passed away Monday, May 16, 2022, at Rust Medical Center in Rio Rancho, NM following an extended illness. Jose was born on April 2, 1936, in Pintada, NM to the home of Isidro Lucero and Elena (Saiz) Lucero. A lifelong Catholic, Jose was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Pintada. Jose was reared and attended school in Pintada, and in his younger years he worked as a labor supervisor in Roswell, NM and Wyoming building missile silos, was a custodian for Vaughn Municipal Schools and was a self-employed groundskeeper. Jose enjoyed gardening and landscaping. Jose is preceded in death by his parents Isidro and Elena Lucero, brother Eloy Lucero, sister Diane Romo and nephew Walter Lucero. Survivors include his son Fred Lucero and wife Nancy of Washington, sister Jane Lucero of Las Vegas, NM, nephews Joseph Harris and wife Wanda of Las Vegas, NM, Catarino Romo, Casemiro Romo, nephews: Anthony (Tony) Garcia and Abel Harris and wife: Laura and Angelo Romo, and nieces: Cassandra Lucero Carter and husband Paul and Andrea Harvey and husband: Randale. Visitation will take place on Friday, May 27, 2022, from 10 – 11am, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa, NM, with Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11am, Father Bernabe will celebrate the Mass. Jose will then be laid to rest at Holy Family Cemetery in Pintada, NM with Catarino Romo, Casemiro Romo, Angelo Romo, Samuel Lujan, Bo Cribbs and Abel Harris serving as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will include: Guy Don Cribbs, Paul Carter and Joseph Harris. Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435. 575-472-3369. To place an online condolence or tribute, please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.