Rafael Roque Roybal

Rafael Roque Roybal Sr. age 90 of Fort Sumner, NM died Sunday, October 22, 2000. Rafael was born August 16, 1910 in Los Ojitos, northern De Baca County to the home of Ignacio and Juanita Ronquillo Roybal. He attended school at Los Ojitos. Rafael worked as a ranch hand on area ranches for several years. He married Carolina Levario on July 9, 1937. They made their home at Yeso, NM where Rafael worked as a track man for the Santa Fe Rail Road. In 1955 they moved into Fort Sumner. Mr. Roybal continued with the Santa Fe Railroad for 37 years retiring in 1973. While in Fort Sumner Rafael and Carolina owned and operated restaurants. Mr. Roybal was a past member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and a charter member of Knights of Columbus Council #8331 in Fort Sumner, he was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner. Rafael enjoyed fishing, hunting, dancing, and playing the fiddle at the Pecos Valley Care Center. He also participated in the Fiddler’s Contest at Old Timers Day in Melrose. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Rafael was preceded in death by his wife Carolina in 1980; two sons Johnny Roybal in 1954, Ignacio Roybal in 1998, a daughter Mary Gloria Baltazar in 1999; great-granddaughter Alexa Nicole Roybal in 1997; three sisters Ramona Sanchez, Gregoria Casaus, and Guadalupe Levario. Survivors include a daughter Lucy Anaya; five sons Tommy and wife Grace Roybal; Rafael and wife Lucy Roybal; Manuel and wife Judy Roybal all of Fort Sumner; Andy and wife Juanita Roybal of Rio Rancho, NM; and Lawrence and wife Emily Roybal of Silver City, NM. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren along with a host of other family members and many friends. Rosary services will be held at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, October 24, 2000 from St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated from the church at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday with burial following in the Roybal family plot at Fort Sumner Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his sons, Tommy, Lawrence, Rafael Jr., Manuel, Andy, and a grandson Dickie Roybal. Honorary bearers will include all his grandchildren, friends, Santa Fe Railroad co-workers, and fishing buddies. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (505) 355-2311.