Lorenzo E. Atencio, 78, of Espanola, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on Ash Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

Born on August 10, 1947, to Luis and Frances Atencio, he lived a remarkable life.

Larry attended Holy Cross Elementary School and in his teenage years he was a Boy Scout. He earned the merit of Explorer and went on a canoe trip to Canada. This early endeavor served as a pattern for his life-long love of exploring.

After receiving his high school diploma, he attended New Mexico State University. In the summers he surveyed for the New Mexico Highway Department. He graduated in 1971 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He became proficient in computer programming at IBM. Larry taught the computer language, COBALT at Northern New Mexico Community College. Larry decided to change his career, graduating from the University of Michigan Law School, passing the Bar Exam in 1980, and opened Familia Legal Services. He began as a Public Defender, did pro-bono work and handled and won many cases. He also served as a Municipal Judge in Espanola. Above that, Larry fought for water rights and achieved a standing in the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Larry loved to travel, visiting other countries including Spain where he researched his family roots. He loved his Torres family in California and visited them often. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson Soft-Tail. He loved attending family functions, never missing a family get-together. Larry possessed extraordinary intelligence and wit. He wrote poetry books and was an avid reader. He took boundless joy in cooking and made a mouth-savoring paella. Larry was a good athlete; he was a good baseball player and loved the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Aside from all of Larry’s endeavors and accomplishments, he remained humble. He proudly served and loved his community. His claim to fame came at the age of 12 years old. Alongside his brother Peter, he was the original purveyor of Mom’s cooking, selling it under a beach umbrella and opening the door to a family restaurant business, El Paragua.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Luis and Frances Atencio, brother Peter, sister-in-law Diane Atencio, sister Maria Atencio, brother-in-law Eugene Garcia, niece Anna Marie Atencio, nephew Raphael Atencio, and Evangeline Quintina.

He is survived by his wife Yvonne and her daughter Lorraine and son-in-law Jeremy Roach; his former wives Linda and Anita; his children Jeff Atencio (Melissa), Andrew Atencio (Charmaine), Leticia Atencio and Ursula Atencio; siblings David (Skipper) Bouvet (Annie), Dorothy Maestas, Olga Garcia, Chris Atencio (Marcella), Jose Atencio (Alicia), Angela Sanchez (James) and Ralph Atencio (Julie); grandchildren Aaron, Alejandro, Analeez, Ezekiel, Andres, Olivia and Santiago, and Tio Naloh and Aunt Gloria Torres.

Great grandchildren Sutton and Bodie and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

We are most grateful to the Pojoaque Fire Department for their quick and caring response to our calls for “help” in the last years of Lorenzo’s battle with Parkinsons.

The same love goes to Nurse Deborah Caswell at Christus Wound Clinic and to his primary, Dr. Mario Pacheco at the Pojoaque Christus Clinic.

Last but not least, muchisimas gracias to his 24/7 caregiver Veronica Arevalo, Castro Arevalo and Jeremy Roach who lifted him from bed.

A Public Viewing at DeVargas Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, March 2, 2026.

Rosary Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Iglesia Santa Cruz de la Canada. Funeral Service immediately follows at 10:30 a.m.

Pallbearers Aaron Atencio, Alejandro Atencio, Analeez Atencio, Ezekiel Atencio, Andres Atencio, Olivia Jaramillo and Santiago Jaramillo.

Honorary Pallbearers Miguel Atencio and Danny Quintana.

The Family of Lorenzo Atencio has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley 505-747-7477.