 ROMERO, SANTOS TEOFILO Age 91, was called home by The Father on Monday, November 11, 2013. Santos was born in Roy, NM on February 17, 1922. He was the third of eleven children to Teofilo and Filomena Romero of Roy. Santos grew up in Roy and graduated from St. Joseph Catholic School. He grew up Catholic and served as an altar boy at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Roy. As a youngster, he was very active in sports and excelled as a runner. Coach Bealla worked out Santos and younger brother Tomas every morning and evening. The public school in Roy recruited Santos to represent them in area track meets. Santos learned the value of hard work and dedication at an early age. As a member of "the greatest generation", Santos followed his older brother Eduardo and enlisted in the US Army at the age of 19. He served as an Army medic from 1941-1944. He was in combat in the Philippines and New Guinea during WWII. Letters home were rare and short because his unit was constantly on the move. He left his Earthly life to join God in Heaven on Veteran's Day. Upon returning from WWII, he married Fedelina (Faye) Esquibel and became an instant father to three young children (Mary Louise, Floyd and John Aguilar) that he readily accepted and raised as his own. Patrick, Robert, Georgia, Filomena (Rose) and Carlos Romero followed. Through the years, Santos and Fay created a family that loved and respected their parents and others, taught the value of hard work, loyalty and above all - help those in need. Those that knew Santos well considered him "an old fashioned gentlemen". He was a devoted family man that loved his wife and children dearly and was always there to lend support. Although he did not have a formal education beyond eighth grade, there was nothing he could not do. He was known as a "jack of all trades". He was smart, a tireless worker, a great communicator, an outstanding athlete, musician, carpenter, mechanic, cowboy and an avid hunter and fisherman. He was also the humblest of men and expected no less from his children. Most importantly, he was a great husband and a great father to eight children. Santos was well respected by his peers and communities as he worked highway construction throughout New Mexico, City Marshal in Roy and Police Chief in Springer. Following his retirement from the Springer Police Department, he and Faye became caretakers of the Bell Ranch Mansion. Grandsons Robert (BJ) and Roman Romero were fortunate to spend their formative summers with Santos and Faye at the Bell Ranch. As they will attest, "it doesn't get any better than that"! Upon returning to Springer, Santos devoured every Louis L'Amour novel he could get his hands on and cherished supporting the sports teams at Springer and Roy. He very much looked forward to visits from all his grandchildren. Santos was preceded in death by his beloved Faye; daughter Mary Louise Maestas, son Carlos Romero; mother and father Filomena and Teofilo Romero; sister Veneranda Narvaez; brothers Tomas (Beede) and Joseph Romero. Left behind to cherish his memories are sons Floyd Aguilar of Springer, John Aguilar of Roy, Patrick (Linda) Romero of Corpus Christi, TX, and Robert Santos Romero of Springer; daughters Georgia (Henry) Arellano of Bernalillo and Filomena "Rose" (Michael) Ramirez of Springer; sisters Jeanne LeDoux of California, Dorothy (Pedro A.) Gonzales of Mills, Santa Ana Cecilia Hardesty of Roy and Della (Al) Sharief of California; brothers John Edward Romero of Rio Rancho and Lawrence Romero of Albuquerque. Grandchildren include: Patricia Guenther, Shuree Sandlin, Floyd Aguilar Jr., Michael Aguilar, Roberta Aguilar, Robert (BJ) Romero, Roman S. Romero, Patrick Jr. and Adam Santos Romero, Paula Fernandez and Alejandro (Jano) Arellano, and Charlie Mirabal. Great- grandchildren include: Jordan Guenther, Estevan Espinoza, Santana Faye Romero, Estevan Castro, Enrique Castro, Elijah Castro, Alejandro Arellano Jr., Carlos Fernandez, Estrella Fernandez, Araceli Mirabal, Addison Arellano, Ashlynn Arellano, Amelia Arellano, Evan Romero, Emily Romero and Triniti Ann Romero. The Santos T. Romero family offers their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Misbah Zmily & staff at La Familia Primary Care in Raton, Dr. Sally Fabec and staff at the Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic in Raton, Dr. Vidal, oncologist and staff at Albuquerque Veterans Administration in Albuquerque and the staff at Miner's Colfax Medical Center in Raton for their kindness & caring of Santos. A memorial celebration to commemorate the life of Santos T. Romero will be held for family and friends on Saturday, June 07, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Springer starting with Rosary at 10:00 a.m. by Deacon Ed Olona, followed by burial Mass with Father Emmanuel Izuka officiating, songs by Vicki Villareal and Mike Glassman, cemetery burial at Springer Cemetery and dinner at the St. Joseph's Parish Hall. Arrangements are under direction of the Yaksich Long Funeral Home of Raton, NM. Pallbearers: Joe Atkins, Fred Caldwell, Leonard Arias, Ed Lopez, Cassie Esquibel, Fred Martinez and Frank Rice. Honorary Pallbearers: Floyd Jr., and Michael Aguilar, Patrick Jr., Adam, Robert John (BJ) and Roman Santiago Romero, Charlie Mirabel and Alejandro (Jano) Arellano.
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