Leopoldo Jose Muniz Sr

Leopoldo Jose Muniz Sr, 91, a resident of Milagro, NM passed away on Thursday morning, May 3, 2018, at the Guadalupe County Hospital. Mr. Muniz was born on July 13, 1926, in Montoya, NM to the home of Leandro Jose and Rosanna (Maes) Muniz. He was reared in Montoya, Milagro, and Borica and graduated from Santa Rosa High School. Leo was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and served with the 11th Airborne Division. He was a lifelong rancher and El Coyotero for the Fish and Wildlife Service for 32 years. A lifelong Catholic, he was a member of St. Rose of Lima Church in Santa Rosa, Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Milagro and San Isidro Church in Borica. Leo married Rita Romero on November 25, 1951, at San Jose Catholic Church in Anton Chico, NM. During his spare time, Leo loved telling stories, enjoyed cutting wood, hunting with his family, arrowhead hunting, cooking and playing his harmonica. He was a great singer and yodeller. Above all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren and attending their games. Mr. Muniz is preceded in death by his parents, wife Rita Muniz, siblings; Gertrude Muniz, Jesus Muniz, Jose Muniz, Maria Alarid, Donaciana Pacheco, Ufracia Muniz, and Antonio Muniz; grandson William Andre Enrico Serrano and great-granddaughter Serenity Chavez. Survivors include his children Lucille Serrano (Enrico) of Milagro, Esther Johnson (Melvin) of Corona, and Leopoldo Muniz Jr. (Cathy) of Milagro, and James Johnson (Denette) of Logan; grandchildren, Marcus Johnson (Allison), Jessica Sanchez (Jim), Melissa Madrid (Frank), Monique Morehead (Ronnie), Edwina Olivas (Martin), Loretta Muniz, Leona Muniz (Joel Chavez), Leopoldo Leandro Muniz III (Jessica), Courtney Perez Kennedy (Sean), Chelsea Adkins (Brandon) and Victor Perez IV, caretaker Sharron Coin, 26 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren and host of other family and friends. Visitation will take place on Sunday, May 6, 2018, from 1-6 P.M. at Chavez Funeral Home, Santa Rosa, NM. Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Monday, May 7, 2018, starting at 10 A.M. from St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Santa Rosa, NM with Father Christopher Bernabe celebrating the mass. Burial with military honors will take place at 4 P.M. on Monday, May 7, 2018, at Our Lady of Sorrows Cemetery in Milagro, NM.Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Muniz, Joey Muniz, Jake Muniz, Joseph Muniz, Leroy Pacheco, George Pacheco, and Rudy Tenorio. Services have been entrusted to Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM. (575)472-3369