Neil James DeHerrera

Neil James DeHerrera, 48, a resident of Espanola NM, joined our Lord and Savior, on Monday, December 5, 2022.  He is preceded in death by his maternal Grandfather Fredrick DeHerrera, paternal grandparents Honorio and Juanita Rael, Uncle Fredrick David DeHerrera, Cousins Dennis Rael, Leona Quintana, Johnny Lawson, and friends Chris Valdez and Dina Barron-Ortiz.

Neil was born to Diana DeHerrera and Joseph Rael on May 14, 1974.  He was raised in Questa, NM, graduated from Questa High School and attended Northern New Mexico College where he met the love of his life, Melinda DeHerrera.  Neil had a lengthy career at Windstream Telecommunications and formerly the Local 6171 NM Union Representative and Steward.

Neil was a strong, loving, giving, compassionate, loyal and devoted husband, father, son, grandson, brother, uncle, nephew, godfather, godson, and friend.  He led by example and always tried to help those in need.  He led many fundraising events, especially for children. Neil enjoyed watching his 5 children play sports and living their lives as they grew.  He enjoyed fishing, hunting and spending time with family and friends. Neil was a member of the Santa Cruz de la Canada Holy Cross Catholic Church and was a Peregrino who made the journey annually for vocations.

Neil is survived by his wife of 24 years, Melinda DeHerrera, his children, Shaniah, Neil Jr., Aspen, Maria and Abagail DeHerrera and like his own Orion Ortiz and Rose Hursho, his mother Diana DeHerrera and father Joseph Rael, grandmother Loyola DeHerrera, father-in-law, Jerry Valdez (Mercy), mother-in-law, Sarah DeWitt (Ron), brothers and sisters Craig Cisneros (Veronica), Nicole Romero (Daniel), Daniel Archuleta, Christina Montoya (Frank), Jose Rael, Jolene Rael Baca (Richard), brothers-in-laws, Vicente, Enrique, Josaia Valdez and sister-in-law Micaela Valdez, godparents Danette and David Quintana and Anthony Ates Espinoza, step-fathers Raymond Dino Archuleta and Eugene Archuleta, and numerous uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and godchildren.

Serving as Pallbearers are: Craig Cisneros, Daniel Archuleta, Tom Cisneros, Enrique Valdez, Roberto Trujillo, Jeremy Blanco, Roy Blanco, and Neil Isaiah DeHerrera.  

Honorary Pallbearers are Shaniah DeHerrera, Aspen DeHerrera, Maria DeHerrera, Abagail DeHerrera, Orion Ortiz, Rose Hursho, Veronica Cisneros, Christina and Frank Montoya, Nicole and Daniel Romero, Isaac Romero, Vicente Valdez, Jose Rael, Jolene and Richard Baca, Andrea Cisneros, Marvin Martinez, Frank Quintana, Antonio Rael, Antonio Chavez, and his godchildren Daniel Romero Jr., Justin Rael, Julia Archuleta, Isabella Cisneros, Jamie Cisneros and Divina Rael.

A Rosary will be held Monday, December 12, 2022, at 7:00 pm at the Santa Cruz De La Canada Catholic Church in Santa Cruz, NM. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 11:00 am at Santa Cruz de La Canada Catholic Church in Santa Cruz, NM. Burial will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in El llano, NM.

The family of Neil DeHerrera has entrusted the gentle care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the beautiful Espanola Valley. (505)747-7477 www.devargasfuneral.com