Joe Madrid "Cheo"

Joe E. Madrid, Jose Eliseo "Cheo" Madrid passed away on April 25th, 2022.  He was 99 and 10 months of age.  He is preceded in death by his parents Ignacio and Josefina Lopez Madrid, and his sisters Ascencion Vigil and Mary Montoya, and his great grandson Estevan.  He is survived by his wife Aurelia Rodriguez Madrid whom he was married to for 78 years, daughters Anna Rogers & Evelyn Madrid-Erhard, son Mario, grandchildren Miguel, Antonio, Krista, great grandchildren Tyler, Lorenzo, Sofia, Andre, Enrico, Isabella, and great great grandchildren Leandro and Alianna.

He was born, raised, and died in Santa Cruz, and a descendant of the Santa Cruz land grant.  He grew up farming, moving cattle, processing meat, and playing sports.  He had a state high scoring game playing basketball for the El Rito Eagles.  He volunteered into the Army near the age of 20, and went to basic training in San Antonio, Texas.  After, he was stationed at the Ontario California air base where he was a Surgical Technician.  He built a home in Espanola for his young family, later he and Aurelia bought a home in Santo Nino, and then had their final home built in El Llano/Santa Cruz.

He used his GI bill to earn a master's degree in education from Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico.  He was then employed with the Pojoaque Schools as a coach and teacher, where he later went on to coach the North Allstar team to a victory.  Later he was athletic director and Administrator with the Espanola Schools.

He enjoyed fly fishing, where he would tie his own flies.  He and Aurelia taught themselves how to snow ski and water ski.  In Joe's retirement years, he spent his days irrigating pasture, lawns, and fruit trees in the front and backyards of their home.  He enjoyed watching a summer breeze moving the tall grass.

In the end, his body was stronger than his mind because he lost control of his body.  He lived a good life being proud of all his family's accomplishments.  There wasn't anything more for him to do.

A public visitation will take place June 6, 2022 at 6:00pm in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home with a rosary to follow at 7:00pm Mass of Christian Burial will be on June 7, 2022 at 11:00am at the Santa Cruz de Canada Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:30pm.

The family of Joe E. Madrid has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley 505-747-7477 www.devargasfuneral.com