Tommy Roybal

Tommy Roybal, 80 of Fort Sumner, NM passed away Monday, March 18, 2019 at Plains Regional Medical Center in Clovis following a sudden illness. Visitation hours will be Thursday, March 21, 2019 from 1pm to 6pm at the funeral home. A rosary followed by the Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:00 am on Friday, March 22, 2019 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner, New Mexico with Father Sotero A. Sena officiating. Pallbearers will include Jesse Roybal, Josiah Roybal, Joshua Roybal, Garrett Gaintner, Everett Gaintner, Brayden Anaya, Maleko Esquibel, Jesse James Esquibel, Aspen Roybal, Darian Roybal, Kiki Roybal, Johanna Roybal, Gabriella Roybal, Shelby Carver, Adrianna Carver, and Aolani Esquibel. Honorary bearers will all his NM D.O.T. coworkers and many friends. Cremation will follow the services. Tommy was born August 13, 1938 in Fort Sumner, NM to the home of Rafael and Carolina (Levario) Roybal. He was raised by Ignacio and Juanita Roybal, his paternal grandparents, in Yeso. Tommy attended Fort Sumner schools, graduating with the class of 1957. While in high school he worked for Raymond Drake. Tommy retired in 2000, after 38 years with the NM Department of Transportation including several years as District Supervisor.  Tommy was a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, and a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Fort Sumner, he served two terms as De Baca County Commissioner, and was a past member of the Fort Sumner School Board of Education.  Tommy was a lifelong member of St. Anthony Catholic Church in Fort Sumner and a member of San Jose Catholic Church in Pinos Wells, NM. He loved spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and boating. He also enjoyed dancing, visiting the casinos, and loved to cook for his family and friends. He made the best green chile stew. He is preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter Alexa Roybal, two brothers Johnny Roybal and Ignacio Roybal, a sister Gloria Baltazar, and his father and mother in law Benito and Cipriana Martinez. A loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle, Tommy will be missed by his wife Grace Roybal of the home in Fort Sumner, a daughter Sandra Roybal of Clovis, two sons Dickie Roybal and wife Cindy of Clovis, and Mark Roybal and wife Anissa of Clovis. Step daughters Donna Esquibel of Flora Vista, NM, Angelica Gaintner and husband Gary of Tijeras, NM, and a step son Mark Esquibel and Diana of Durango, Colorado, one sister Lucy Anaya of Fort Sumner, four brothers Lawrence Roybal and wife Emily of Silver City, NM, Andy Roybal and wife Juanita of Bernalillo, Rafael Roybal of Clovis, and Manuel Roybal and wife Judy of Fort Sumner. Also surviving are 16 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311.