Donovan Brian Atencio

Donovan Brian Atencio, 22, a resident of Upper San Pedro, passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023 as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.  Donovan was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, LeRoy G. Atencio; uncle, Brian Bruce Atencio; paternal uncles, Danny and Matthew Atencio, and first cousin Nicole Atencio.  

Donovan worked as a Research Technician with the Sigma-2 Welding and Joining Team at Los Alamos National Laboratory.  He attended the Santa Fe Community College as a Dean’s List student, where he earned a High Honor’s Welding Certificate and obtained his Associate for Applied Sciences in Welding Technologies, along with seven American Welding Society (AWS) certifications.  Donovan was a very talented individual and this was displayed through his wrestling career, his pursuit for higher education, and was displayed not only in the work place but through his hobbies.  He had a true passion for cars, mechanics, and the ‘never ending quest for speed.’  Donovan was a self-taught automotive, mechanical, and electrical genius.  His profound desire of learning, drove him to fulfill his goals and dreams at an unbelievably young age.  By the age of seventeen, Donovan successfully modified his Toyota Tacoma by rebuilding its engine, installing a turbo, and changing the gear ratio on his quest for speed.  His life dream was to own a MKIV Toyota Supra which he was able to accomplish a year ago.  Upon acquiring his Supra, the next goal was set and met two weeks ago at the Albuquerque Dragway, where he successfully broke into the ten second quarter mile drag time.  As Donovan has done many times before, he accomplished this through his research, mathematical computations, and intense knowledge of all things automotive.  Donovan touched the lives of many with his genuine kind heart.  He was never jealous, never envious, proud of others and their accomplishments, and was always willing to help others in a time of need or to fulfill their dreams.  Donovan loved his brothers, family, and friends with all of his heart.   

Donovan is survived by his parents, Emilio and Shirley Atencio, brothers, Devin and Landon Atencio; maternal grandmother, Josephine Atencio; paternal grandparents, Antonio and Lourdes Atencio; uncles, Anthony Atencio (Yvette), Larry Atencio (Cathy), special great uncle Dale Atencio; aunts, Elizabeth Schwab (Kenneth), Eva Martinez (Johnny), Pamela Atencio; cousins, Sister Maravillas of Jesus, Father Elijah, Jacob Romero, Crystal Atencio (Nathaniel), Larry Atencio Jr. (Maria), Stephanie Martinez (Jason), Alyson Martinez (Marty), Samantha and Andres Atencio, Anissa Martinez and many other relatives and friends.  

A public visitation will begin on Friday November 17, 2023, at 5:00 pm, and a rosary to follow at 6:00 pm, in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday November 18, 2023, at 10:00 am, at Holy Cross, Santa Cruz de La Canada Church in Santa Cruz. Burial will take place at the San Jose Cemetery in Hernandez.

Serving the family as pallbearers are Aaron Valdez, Jarren Cordova, Reyes Mendez, Anthony and Marvin Medina, Austin Jobe; honorary pallbearers are Luis Bojorquez, Lawrence Armenta, Jacob Martinez, Isaiah Maestas, and Jayden Garcia.  

The family of Donovan Atencio has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley.   www.devargasfuneral.com   505-747-7477