John L. Villegas

John L. Villegas, 88, a life long resident of Las Vegas, NM passed away at his residence on Sunday evening following an extended illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Christian and Ricarda Gonzales Villegas; a sister, Flora Loggins and husband Charles and their daughter, Mary Jean. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Lena Villegas of the family home; four daughters: Rachel Meserve and husband David, Christine Montano, and Ruth Villegas all of Rio Rancho, NM, and Cathy Villegas of Las Vegas, NM; one brother, Ramon Villegas and wife Tina of Denver, CO; and five grandchildren: John Greenfield, Sara Meserve, Seth Montano, Mariah Montano, and Jonah Greenfield.
He was born on May 1, 1923 here in Las Vegas, NM and received his Bachelors Degree in Education from New Mexico Highlands University and his Masters Degree in Math and Physics from New Mexico State University. Prior to entering the Army on October 14, 1950, he was a postal carrier for the United States Postal Service. He served in the Korean Conflict with Btry C , 48th Artillary Battalion. He received the Korean Service Medal, 1 Bronze Service Star, and the Occupation Medal (Japan). He was honorably discharged on August 17, 1951 in Ft. Bliss, TX. On August 25, 1954 he was united in marriage to Evangiline " Lena" Jaramillo at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, a relationship that lasted over 56 years. He taught in the Grants, Los Lunas Training School, and West Las Vegas School Systems for 33 years. He was a principal at Our Lady of Sorrows School and was a "well loved teacher." His hobbies were carpentry, fishing, reading, and word searches. He loved listening to music, the mountains, and going for long rides while enjoying an ice cream treat.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, June 23, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. from St. Francis Chapel at Gonzales Funerals & Cremations, 2315 Hot Springs Blvd. Services will be held from Our Lady of Sorrows Church with a rosary on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 12:00 noon. Father C. John Brasher will celebrate the Mass. The interment will follow in the family plot in the San Jose Cemetery. The family would prefer memorials be made to the Heating and Air Conditioning Fund at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 403 Valencia Avenue, Las Vegas, NM.

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