Juan J. Tafoya, beloved husband,
father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to all went to his heavenly home on December 10, 2020. This was the anniversary of his Vow Renewal to his beloved wife, Lydia T. Tafoya who preceded him in death on November 24, 2020. We believe he died from a broken heart.
Juan was born May 24, 1933, in Tafoya, New Mexico to Eugenio and Frances Tafoya. He graduated from Farley High School in 1951. Shortly after graduation, he served in the U.S. Army as a Corporal and Combat Engineer. He was stationed in Austria during the Korean War and was Honorably Discharged in 1961.
A hard worker and a master carpenter, Juan worked for several years with many local contractors and at the T.O. Ranch. He retired from Raton Housing Authority in 1999. Juan had a strong work ethic, and after retirement, continued to work for Sommerset Apartments until 2009. For the past decade, he focused on woodworking, creating beautiful intarsia art for which He won two blue ribbons at the Colfax County Fair. He was a volunteer for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Juan enjoyed all things outdoors and loved to hike in the mountains, fish, and hunt. He was well
known for his sense of humor and ready smile. Juan was a family man raising 4 children and 3 stepchildren. This blended family was lovingly referred to as “their Brady Bunch” by Juan and Lydia.
Juan was preceded in death by his wife Lydia T. Tafoya, his parents Eugenio and Frances Tafoya, and brothers Abran (Tito) Tafoya, Cleofes Tafoya, and Lerio Tafoya. He is survived by his sister Aurora Tafoya from Raton, NM, brothers Arthur Tafoya from Raton, NM and Amarante (Dan) Tafoya from Albuquerque, NM; children Mary Lou Lopez and husband Leo from Pueblo, CO, James Tafoya and wife Kathy from Canyon, TX, Elizabeth Tafoya from Raton, NM and Linda Tafoya and partner Paul Garcia from Raton, NM; stepchildren Domingo Cordova and wife Gina from Pueblo, CO, Loretta Dipert from Amarillo, TX, and Henrietta Kuhlman and husband Shannon from Springer, NM; Grandchildren Brandy Caro and husband Salvador from Pueblo, CO, Veneranda Lopez and partner Marshea Johnson from Pueblo, CO, Carlos Tafoya and wife Xochime from Pueblo, CO, Angela Tafoya and partner Rodney Basquez from Pueblo, CO, Rachael Baranski and husband Joey stationed at the Marine Corp Air Station in Iwakuni, Japan, Victoria Cabague and husband Christian stationed at Canon Air Force base in Clovis, NM, John Tafoya from Pueblo, Co, Jessica Haynes and partner Joshua Lucero from Raton, NM, Juan Diego Castillo and partner Charity Encinias from Raton, NM, Dominique Romero and partner Dionicio Jojola from Raton, NM, Angelo Romero Bernal and husband Mateo Bernal from Pueblo, CO, Manuel Sanchez and wife Jennifer from Amarillo, TX, Jamie Sanchez and partner Tomas Vasquez from Dumas, TX, Frank Martinez and partner Alejandra Caballero from Denver, CO, Brandon Cordova from Pueblo, CO and Isaiah Cordova from Pueblo, CO. Juan is also also survived by 30 great grandchildren, numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be announced at a later date.
