Teodoro Sandoval was a resident of Rio Lucio, New Mexico. He was born August 26, 1921. He was 95 years old and passed on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents Ramon and Lucinda Sandoval, his son Rocky, 3 infant children named Tony, Ramoncita, and Debbie, 2 infant great-grandchildren named Kamea and Aria, 8 brothers and 4 sisters.
He was born in Roy, NM, and moved to Rio Lucio at the young age of 5. In 1942 he joined the US Army during WWII and actively served his country in the Philippines for 4 years. He married the love of his life Lugarda Casados in 1948. Together they had 10 children. He is survived by his wife of 69 ½ years, Maria Lugarda Sandoval of Rio Lucio, honorary brother Jose Casados of Rio Lucio, one son Ted Sandoval (Ameli) of Vernon, UT, five daughters Helen Sanchez (Bolivar) of Rio Lucio, Christine Lopez (Harold) of Albuquerque, Lorraine Archuleta (Ruben) of Dixon, Eva (Edward Pacheco) of Peñasco, and Diane Archuleta (Celestino) of Dixon, 19 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.
Teodoro was a hard working, honest, and honorable man. He was proud of his children and always bragged about their accomplishments to everyone. Teodoro was a man of great faith and attended mass weekly until he was no longer able to drive. His careers included sheep herding, forestry, and school custodian. During his career as a custodian he made friends easily and was highly respected by people of all ages. He was a great storyteller, teacher, and had an amazing sense of humor.
His interests included making homemade wine, cultivating, and raising farm animals. He took the place of a father and grandfather to those who did not have one. He always had open arms and an open home. Everyone who walked into his home was invited to break bread with him. He always sent small children home with a dollar in their pocket. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Public visitation will begin on Sunday, July 9, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory will a Memorial ceremony to be celebrated at 5:00 p.m. Public visitation will begin on Monday, July 10, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. at San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church in Peñasco with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, July 11, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church in Peñasco with burial to follow at the Rio Lucio Cemetery. Serving the family as pallbearers will be Lucas Sanchez, Mario Sandoval, Jason Lopez, Andrew Archuleta, David Sandoval and Jeffrey Pacheco. Honorary pallbearers will be Julian Archuleta, Joey Sandoval, Chris and Bolivar Jr. Sanchez and Adam and Isaac Pacheco. The family of Teodoro Sandoval has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.