In Loving Memory of Mario Antonio Gonzales

Mario Antonio Gonzales, 64, passed away after falling while rock climbing on the eastern cliffs of the Canadian River on Sunday, April 22, 2018. Mario was born on August 11, 1953 in Raton, NM and grew up at the ranch in Mills, NM. He is survived by his partner, Maria Rodriguez, of Santa Fe, NM, his father, Pedro Antonio “Tony” and mother Dorothy Gonzales of Mills, NM, his sister Ramona Gonzales McVann of Las Cruces, NM, aunts Della Sharief (Anas), Jennie LeDoux, and Dolores Mitchell, and uncle Lawrence Romero. Daddy was the loving father of Amanda Rocchio (Chris) of Kremmling, CO, Gabriel Rocchio (Lindsey) of Florence, CO, Anita Rocchio Williams (Benjamin) of Lincoln, NE, Julia Gonzales (Ben) of Denver, CO, Mario Gonzales (Kaletha) of Albuquerque, NM, James Kent Campbell of Walsenburg, CO, and John Romero Campbell (Diana) of Denver, CO. He will be terribly missed by his ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, nephews, aunts, uncles, brothers- and sisters-in-law, business partners, and friends.

Mario graduated from Raton High School in 1971 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17, married JoAnn Paxton, and served as a Sergeant and airplane mechanic in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Taiwan, and Laos during the Vietnam War. Following his return to the United States, he was stationed in Utah and was honorably discharged in 1975. Mario then enrolled at New Mexico State University and received his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science on the GI Bill in 1979. After his graduation, he and JoAnn moved to Gardner, Colorado and ranched there until their divorce.

In October 1982, Mario married Gloria Rodriguez Campbell Gonzales. They moved to San Carlos, Arizona in 1983, where he served for the next decade as the manager for five ranches owned by the San Carlos Apache Tribe’s Cattle Association. In 1993, Mario and Gloria moved their family to south Texas, where he managed one of the largest ranches in Texas: the San Pedro Ranch in Carrizo Springs. He left cattle ranching in 2000, and began a new career as a teacher. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Special Education from San Antonio College in 2002, and taught middle school students as a special education and math teacher for the Crystal City Independent School District until 2004, when Gloria passed away.

Mario moved back home to Mills, NM, and began a new adventure. He served on the Harding County Economic Development Board, participated in volunteer projects at the Catholic Church in Roy, and in 2007 co-founded La Sombra Farms, LLC alongside his father Tony where they grew organic hydroponic greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers for sale throughout the northeastern NM farmers markets. In 2008, he co-founded Budding Hope, Inc. alongside his son Mario, and in 2009, was licensed as the first medical cannabis producer in northeastern NM, and the sixth producer licensed statewide.

Rock climbing was but one of his hobbies — whether it was fishing, hunting, bronco and bull riding, training horses, riding motorcycles, welding, politics, reading, traveling, watching basketball, roping, playing guitar, or hiking — Mario always had a story to share and another trip planned. His partner, Dr. Maria Rodriguez of Santa Fe, NM, traveled with him to Mexico, Italy, San Francisco, Hawaii, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. The week of his death, they had a trip planned to Austin.

Services will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at the Holy Family Catholic Church at 575 Saint George Street in Roy, New Mexico. Viewing will commence at 9:00 am. The rosary will begin at 10:00 am, followed by the eulogy and funeral mass. Mario will be buried with full military honors at the Roy Cemetery, and the family invites you to join us for a meal afterwards at the Roy Community Center. Mario was a straightforward man, and so in lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to the Holy Family Catholic Church’s volunteer projects fund or send condolences to Tony and Dorothy Gonzales at 130 Mesteno Road, Mills, NM, 87730. Arrangements are under the direction of Rogers Mortuary, 600 Reynolds Avenue Las Vegas, NM. Please visit www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign the online register book.