Richard Montaño

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved brother, Richard Montaño, 71. Richard passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 13th at his home in Anton Chico. Richard was born in Las Vegas, NM on April 8, 1951. He was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. We will always remember Richard as a hard-working man who was always willing to lend a helping hand. Richard was a laborer, rancher, builder, and mechanic. He was especially known for small-engine repair, and he taught himself how to fix chain saws, lawnmowers, water pumps, and many other machines. Richard also spent many years working together with our dad in the construction business. Together, they built and remodeled homes, stone patios, roofs, and exterior stucco. Richard also gathered and sold flagstone, firewood, and fence posts. As a teenager living in Portales, he worked in the peanut and cotton farms gathering the harvest. Always happy, smiling, and telling jokes, Richard never complained about anything and was selflessly devoted to his family and friends. Richard was instrumental in caring for our parents, particularly as they grew older and needed more help. Richard loved children and cherished all his nephews and nieces. Richard also had a special way with animals and was constantly surrounded by all the beautiful creatures that loved and recognized the goodness and kindness of Richard’s spirit. In 2016, Richard was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. Richard was strong and courageous in facing this battle. He survived a major surgery that removed the cancer which unfortunately returned about five years later. This time, the cancer was declared inoperable, and Richard moved forward with chemotherapy treatments which he would need for the rest of his life. Though, this illness saddened Richard greatly, he was determined to survive, and he lived well-past the life expectancy his doctor’s predicted. During his last appointment, his doctor referred to Richard as a “miracle” and told him he should be on the front page of every newspaper. Richard bravely endured many struggles in his lifetime, always preferring to help and care for others more than himself. There is an empty place at the table that can never be replaced. We will remember Richard in the good times, at his customary 10:00 a.m. coffee break and eating mom’s fresh tortillas with caldito and green chile always with the radio tuned to his favorite radio station. We are so grateful to God for giving us a brother like Richard who always gave of himself and made everything possible for our family. Richard is survived by his only brother, Lawrence Montaño, and his sister, Elaine Montaño (Lico) of the family home; sisters, Mary Lou Montaño of Long Beach, CA, Susie Maestas, and Dolores Lujan, of Las Vegas, and Patsy Moncayo (Jose) of Santa Fe. He is also survived by his nephews, Eugene Cordova (Akimi) of Stanton, CA, Nathan Maestas (Amy) of Las Cruces, Leon Moncayo (Sonya) of Santa Fe, and his nieces Elizabeth Cordova of Long Beach, CA, and his niece Deborah Cordova, of Anton Chico. Great nephews, Pierre Ortega, Micah Maestas, Nico Maestas, Kai Moncayo, Esteban Lujan, Christian Lujan, Santiago Maestas, Joaquin Maestas, Andalecio Maestas, and Reymundo Maestas; Great nieces, Melinda Murillo, Nadia Nessim, Lauren Cordova, Amber Lujan, Epifania Maestas, Esperanza Maestas, and Ariana Cordova; Great-great niece Violet, and great-great nephew Zayben of Long Beach, CA. Richard is also survived by his aunt Margaret Gutierrez (Dwight) of Las Vegas and numerous cousins and friends. Richard is preceded in death by his father, Alfonso Montaño (2017), his mother Rita Montaño (2015), his nephew Billy Joe Maestas (2020), and his niece Amanda Thomasina Lujan (2017), and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles. Richard is also preceded in death by his pet dog, Orlando, whom he greatly cherished and who also passed away only four days prior to Richard’s passing. Visitation for family and friends will be Friday, May 20, 2022 from 2-5pm at Mountain View Church of Christ in Las Vegas, NM, and again on Saturday, May 21, 2022, from 9-10am. Funeral service for Richard will be Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 10am at Mountain View Church of Christ in Las Vegas, NM, with Pastor Paul Gray officiating the service. Interment will follow at Church of Christ Cemetery in Las Vegas, NM, with Nathan Maestas, Leon Moncayo, Dwight Gutierrez, Jose Garcia, Eugene Cordova, Christian Lujan and Jose Maestas serving as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Nico Maestas, Kai Moncayo, Estevan Lujan, Micah Maestas, Joaquin Maestas and Santiago Maestas. We would like to thank those individuals who were a great help to Richard. We are grateful to Miguel “Mikey” Lucero who delivered meals every day, special neighbors, Freddie Romero, Adam Cordova, and New Mexico State Police Officer, Jonathan Gonzales, who helped Richard during his darkest hours. We are thankful for We Care Agency, and for our sister and caregiver, Elaine, who helped Richard cope with his medical problems. We would also like to thank all the friends, coworkers, family, and neighbors that have reached-out to us and expressed condolences. A special thank you to members of the Church of Christ who offered gifts of food, necessities, and prayers in our time of need. We are deeply grateful for your support. Mil gracias!! Sincerely, The Family of Richard Montaño Services are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 923 S. Third St., Santa Rosa, NM 88435. 575-472-3369. To place an online condolence or tribute, please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com. Death Is Nothing At All by Henry Scott-Holland Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just round the corner. All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!