Gene (Jimmy) James Gallegos

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend. Gene was welcomed into God's eternal glory on June 9, 2026.

Gene was preceded in death by his grandfather, Daniel Gallegos; grandmother, Maria Gallegos; brother, Steven Gallegos; aunts, Eva Martinez, Linda Gallegos, and Dolores Mullins; and cousin, Lino Martinez.

Gene was a kind, thoughtful, and gentle man who could become friends with anyone he met. He was loved by many throughout the Española Valley and the surrounding communities. He found peace in nature and loved taking long walks to admire the beauty of God's creation.

From a young age, Gene had a passion for karate that stayed with him throughout his life, earning him the nickname "Karate Gene." He also enjoyed music, bikes, cars, and spending time walking and shopping with his sister.

Above all else, Gene treasured his relationship with God. Anyone who knew him knew how much he loved to talk about his faith—sharing his beliefs, his experiences, and the many ways God worked in his life. Through every trial and tribulation, Gene remained steadfast in his faith and trusted that God was always with him.

The love, kindness, and countless memories Gene leaves behind will be deeply cherished by all who knew him. His warm smile, contagious laugh, and compassionate heart will be profoundly missed, but his spirit will continue to live on in the lives of those he touched. We thank God for the blessing of having such a loving and faithful man in our lives.

Gene is survived by his mother, Lorrine Gallegos; his sister, Maria Gallegos; his uncle, Ray Gallegos (Santos); his nephew, Cipriano Marquez (Elena); his niece, Stevannah Marquez (James); his brother-in-law, Leroy Marquez; his cousin, Antonio Medina; and many other cherished family members, friends, and loved ones.

Gene's Memorial Service will be held on July 24th, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Santa Cruz United Methodist Church, 405A South McCurdy Road, Española, NM 87532. A fellowship gathering will immediately follow the service.

The family of Gene “Jimmy James Gallegos has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home of the beautiful Espanola Valley 505-747-7477.