 ROMERO, RAY R. "UNCLE RAY" 1927-2014 Ray R. Romero "Uncle Ray" age 87, a resident of Belen, NM passed away on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 after a long illness. He was born on January 6, 1927 in San Fidel, New Mexico to Nicanor and Alfides Vallejos Romero, founders of Romero Funeral Home in Belen. Ray married the love of his life Pelegrina "Pele" Sanchez in 1944. After serving four years in the United States Army during World War II, he and Pele raised their five loving children in Belen. Uncle Ray and Aunt Pele as they were loving known to their nieces and nephews always had a back door open policy to them and their families where their home became a second home and a gathering point for many of them throughout the years. After 32 years of service with the Southern Union Gas Company, Ray retired and continued his part time work with Romero Funeral Home. Ray was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Both Ray and Pele have been devoted parishioners of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church and Ray was an active church usher for many years. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Annie Romero Garcia; brothers, Frank and Arno Romero; and his dear friends, George Campbell and Gene Chavez. Ray is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Pelegrina "Pele" Sanchez Romero; brothers, Daniel Romero and wife, Lucinda, and Joe Leo Romero; sisters-in-law, Barbara Romero, Theo Patton and Mary Romero; his devoted children, Bobby Romero and wife, Sue, Paul Romero and wife, Veronica, Phillip Romero and wife, Sharie, Cynthia Romero and partner, Ramona Griego and Allen Romero; grandchildren, Shauna Romero, Cody Romero and wife, Ashley, Eric Navarro and wife, Clare, Corbi McGill and husband, Brent, Kylee Baca and husband, Michael, Christopher Gutierrez, Stefanie Benavidez and husband, Jared, Samantha Romero, Sean Neese, Simone Neese and husband, Marcus Kootrakul; great-grandchildren, the lights of his life, Wyatt Romero, Michael McGill, Michael and Blaine Baca, Benicio and Ilianana Navarro, Kane Benavidez, Nina Rey Kootrakul, and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. The Romero Family would like to give a warm thank you to Debbie Pacheco, for her continuous helping hand. Ray will always be remembered for his giving nature, compassion and silly sense of humor! A Viewing will be held at Romero Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, September 7th at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m. A Final Viewing will be held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on Monday, September 8th at 9:00 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Michael Romero, Salo Garcia, Sean Neese, Cody Romero, Erik Navarro and Barbara Horton. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dicky Romero, Richard Garcia, Andy Ortega and Martha Borden. Sign Ray's online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main Street, Belen, NM.
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