Ray Romero

Obituary For Ray Romero

Ray Romero died peacefully at home in Cuchillo on Friday, October 13, 2023, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Ray, the oldest of three brothers, was born on January 7, 1951, to Merced and Susie (Miranda) Romero in T. or C., NM (although his Catholic baptismal certificate has Hot Springs listed as the town). Ray attended T. or C. schools and played football for the HSHS Tigers all four years of his high school time. Number 32 was a member of the 1968 undefeated Class B State Championship football team. On May 29, 1970, the beginning of his high school senior week, he married his high school sweetheart, April Evans. After graduation he attended one semester at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, TX. He and April returned to New Mexico at the end of that semester and for the next 10 years worked on ranches in Southern New Mexico, and one year on a ranch in northern California. Their daughter, Kristy, was born in 1977, while Ray was working at the Ladder Ranch. Ray rodeoed every chance he got, participating in bull riding and later, as a lot of rough stock riders do, team roping. He served in the National Guard from 1972-1989. By 1982, he began working construction jobs to help support the farm and ranch that he and April purchased in Cuchillo. Over the next 30 years, he worked jobs all over the Southwest and Mexico. His illness forced him to retire in 2012. He has more than earned his rest. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, April; daughter and son-in-law, Kristy and Cody Cummings and granddaughter, Shayly Cummings of Cuchillo; brother, Marvin Romero of Casa Grande, AZ; brother-in-law, Mikel Ray Evans and wife, Cathy Gray, of Abilene, TX; a very special aunt, Delores Brown of Jemez Springs, NM; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Merced and Susie (Miranda) Romero; brother, David Romero, and infant son. Services for Ray will be held at the Caballo Church on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. A potluck lunch will follow services. Donations to the National Parkinson’s Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation would be appreciated.