Ray Sierra

Ray A. Sierra “Junior Ray”, age 62 of Santa Rosa, NM died Wednesday, February 23, 2005 at Anna Kaseman Hospice in Albuquerque, NM. Ray was born November 14, 1942 in Santa Rosa, NM the son of Atanacio Sierra and the former Felipita Chavez. He was reared and attended school at Colonias. Ray married Isabel Silva, they made their home in Santa Rosa where they raised their family. Ray worked as a heavy equipment operator for many years. He worked during the construction of the Santa Rosa Lake Dam. Ray worked for 14 years as a heavy equipment operator for the Guadalupe County Road Department, and 15 years for the City of Santa Rosa. He retired in 1998. Ray was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa; he was an accomplished and talented musician, who enjoyed playing the guitar, fishing, and hunting. Ray enjoyed ranching at Colonias, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. According to his family, Ray was always ready to help his family and friends. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Frances Sierra, a son James Sierra, his mother and father-in-law Juan and Elvira Silva and a very dear aunt, Margarita “Tia Maggie” Chavez. He is survived by his wife Isabel of Santa Rosa; two daughters Shirley Sierra and fiancé Mike Otero of Albuquerque; Margaret Knight of Amarillo, TX; two sons Phillip Sierra and wife Christina of Albuquerque; Robert Sierra and wife Marcela of Colonias, NM. Also surviving is a sister Helen Garrison of Albuquerque; five cousins raised as brothers and sisters Margie Chavez, Angie Vigil, Sandra Ambrosio, Ray Dean, and Billy Waters. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren; Phillip Sierra, Nathaniel Sierra, Mark Shear, Amber Shear, Isabella Sierra, Calvin Knight, Jacob Knight and Deanne Baca. Rosary services will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 24, 2005 from St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa; Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated from the church at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 25, 2005 with Father Nick Nichols officiating. Burial will follow at San Jose Cemetery in Colonias, New Mexico. Pallbearers will include Fernie Chavez, Ray Dean, Billy Waters, Delfie Anaya, Dennis Chavez, and Donald Garrison. Honorary bearers will be Raymond Dean, Phillip Sierra Jr., Sam Serrano, Jacklyn Marie Gutierrez, Jackie Serrano, Amber Shear, Herb Mayoral and Pedro Sabogal. Visitation will be Thursday from 1pm to 6pm at Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third Street; Santa Rosa, New Mexico. For online condolences please go to www.chavezfuneralhome.com Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home in Santa Rosa, New Mexico (505) 472-3369.