Ventura Lopez

Jose Ventura Lopez, 88 a longtime Santa Rosa, NM resident passed away Friday evening at his daughter's home in Vaughn, NM following an illness.  Ventura was born April 8, 1931, in San Ignacio, NM. Ventura grew up and attended school in San Ignacio. Ventura married Maria De La Luz (Lucy) Duran on May 5, 1959 in Santa Rosa. Ventura worked for several years on the family ranch, as a young man he worked in the mines, on the railroad, and for 30 years he worked at the Public Works Department with the City of Santa Rosa. Ventura also worked a second job for many years part time at the Silver Moon Restaurant, McDonald's, and the Sun & Sand Restaurant. Ventura was a faithful member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. Ventura enjoyed woodworking and leather works. He made all his children and grandchildren a special wood piece, for some a bench, a chair, a baby crib, or a shadow box. He also did leather works and made many leather crafts for his family. Items they will each cherish. Ventura also spent many hours helping his family and friends with home repair projects. He enjoyed visiting flea markets and antique shops. If he found an item he liked, he would simply go home and build it in his shop. Ventura is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Lucille (Duran) Lopez, along with all his siblings, four sisters Lucinda Lopez, Rita Abeyta, Chon Garcia, Andrea Chavez, three brothers Gregorio Lopez Sr., Jose Hipolito Lopez, and Ramon Lopez. Survivors include a son Randy Lopez (Sara) of Santa Rosa, Juanita Cogswell (Robert) of Delta, CO, Teresa Patricia Boudreau (David) of Tularosa, NM, Karen Lopez of Apache Junction, AZ, Alice Martinez (Robert) of Vaughn, and Debbie Ramirez of Santa Rosa. Also surviving is Ventura’s longtime companion, Tina Silva of Santa Rosa.  He is also survived by his grandchildren; Adan Via, Dwayne Via, Desiree Herrera, Derek Toohey,  Shaina Toohey,  Elyssa Diaz, Ruben Diaz, Jacob Diaz, Ryan Martinez, Miranda Martinez,  Andrew Martinez, Anna-Maria Lopez,  Troy Lopez, Tanya Montoya, Sacha Almeida and Vanessa Gardea, and great-grandchildren; Preston Aiden Farnsworthy, Drake Via, Laci Via, Chelsea Herrera, Jasmine Herrera, Rene Toohey, Kara Mazurkiwicz, Kylie Skye Courtney, Aaliyah Diaz, Ruben Diaz, Jr., Isabel Diaz, Amir Diaz, Bryant Mora, Oliver Martinez, Carlos Torres, Christina Torres, Angelica Torres, Nielie Terrazas, Yanili Valenzuela and Isaac Tafft, Owen Tafft and Aylssa Tafft, along  a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. Visitation hours for family and friends will be Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019 from 1pm to 6pm at Chavez Funeral Home. Holy Rosary followed by the funeral Mass will begin at 10:00am Friday, September 13, 2019 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa with Father Christopher Bernabe officiating. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Adan Via, Yolanda Salas, Ryan Martinez, Andrew Martinez, Jacob Diaz, Ruben Diaz, Derek Toohey, and Troy Lopez. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third Street, Santa Rosa, NM. (575) 472-3369