 GALLEGOS, JOHNNY LOUIS Celebrating the Life of Johnny Louis Gallegos Johnny passed peacefully to our Lord on July 1, 2013 at the age of 96 in the arms of his family. Johnny was born in Anton Chico, NM to Emerenciano Gallegos and Delia (Martinez) Gallegos on February 27, 1917. Johnny was preceded in death by his parents, brother Henry Gallegos and his grandson Paul John Montano. Johnny leaves behind his wife of 66 years, Mary Guadalupe Gallegos; and 6 children: Howard E. Gallegos (Linda Morgan), Carole G. Gallegos-Esquibel (Sider Esquibel), Marc P. Gallegos (Yvonne Gallegos), Deborah L. Gallegos-Bisnett (Zarek Padilla), Jeanette L. Gallegos-Montano (Harold Montano), Traci O. Gallegos-Montano (Robert Phillips); twelve grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Johnny's glorious life spanned The Great Depression and The Dust Bowl where he independently cared for his father and visually impaired brother before going off to war. Johnny proudly served his country in the Army during World War II with the 131st Signal Radio Intelligence in Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska from July 1942 through February 1946 where he monitored and de-coded radio from the Japanese. Johnny and his unit were credited with intercepting key messages late in the war that aided in preventing further Japanese attacks on US soil. Upon returning from the war, Johnny met and fell in love with his beautiful soon to be bride, Mary Guadalupe. They wed on Nov 25, 1946 at St. Rose De Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa, NM by Fr. Phillip Cassidy. After their marriage, they started their family in Santa Rosa where they lived for 15 years before moving to Albuquerque. Johnny's professional career included working for the Conoco wholesale agency and then for Exxon as a manager of 2 separate dealerships then, owning a dealership with his son Marc all in the Albuquerque area. After his retirement in 1986, Johnny helped assist his son with his own business. Johnny's favorite pastime was spending time with his beloved family to celebrate holidays, birthdays, graduations, and anniversaries. Johnny proudly took care of his home by maintaining the yard and working on the cars. Johnny was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed Sunday afternoons watching the games followed by dinner with his children. Sunday dinners were a tradition for the Gallegos family. In the past 19 years, Johnny and his wife enjoyed regular trips to Denver, CO to visit their daughter's family. It was a great sense of pride for Johnny that he drove non-stop to Denver, and did this up until two months prior to his passing. He was known as "Papoo" to his grandchildren and "Mi Lindo" to his wife. Johnny cherished his wife, "Mi Hon", his family, and his faith in God. Johnny will be deeply missed but never forgotten and his legacy will always live through his children and the many lives he touched. "I'll Be Seeing You"
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