Jose O. Gallegos, known by his immediate family as “POPS” & “PAPA JOE”: Papa Joe passed away on August 13, 2021 surrounded by his family, met the requirements of his appointed time to leave this world behind, to start his journey on the other side of Jordan and to abide with his Lord Jesus Christ, whom he accepted as his personal Lord and Savior. Pops always believed there was a God and He guided each of us through life’s curves and trials. He met his wife Sephora Delfina Castillo Gallegos. They were married for 57 years. They had four children, all boys, JoeAdam, Kenneth Brian, Steven Wayne, and Benjamin Matthew. Papa Joe was a loving, kind and generous man. He was a strong provider for his family. He always strived to give his family the best of things that he could. He taught his boys to take care of family, be strong, hardworking and care for others in the time of need. He worked for Auburn Rubber Toy Company in Deming, NM as Plant Operations Manager, where they made all sorts of rubber toys. His sons, nephews and nieces would get excited when they would see him come home or was visiting family and had a box in his arms. That only meant that it was an extra Christmas Day that came around. He would bring new rubber toys that were made at the factory to show and hand them out to all of us children. He then went on to work for Phelps Dodge/Burro Chief Copper Mining Company for many years.
He worked there until he retired as a Mill Supervisor in the Ore Dressing Department. Pops was very “old school” person. Learning from his father, he worked or did something every day that The Lord gave him strength and will power. He couldn’t stay at an idle. Although retired, he continued to work or do something for others. He worked at Foxworth Galbraith and Mountain Ridge Ace Hardware. Pops was a go-getter and surprised many. At his age he could keep up with the younger generation. “No, I Can’t and I Don’t Know How” were words that didn’t go well in his vocabulary. Pops enjoyed listening and at time would hum his favorite song The Old Rugged Cross, for he knew that his Lord and Savior gave up His life on that old rugged cross so that he could live and be free.
He is survived his loving wife, Sephora Delfina Castillo Gallegos; four sons, JoeAdam (wife Rosemary), Kenneth Brian (wife Elizabeth), Steven Wayne (wife Terrie), and Benjamin Matthew; seventeen grandchildren, JoeAdam Jr., Jared, James, Jonathan, Kezia, Kenneth II, Karissa, Keanu, Steven Jr., Zachariah, Gabriel, Hannah, Bethany, Jacqueline, Gianna, Jiuliette and Aubreanna; eleven great-grandchildren, Jayla, Raygan, Asic, Aris, James, Caroline, Jaelynn, JAG9, Luke, Elayna and Erina. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herminio and Maria Dolores Gallegos, grandsons, JoeAdam Jr., and James Anthony Gallegos and his sister, Cruzita Almarez.
A Memorial service will take place on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at 11:45am at the Bayard Apostolic Church Hall located at 312 Pearl Street in Bayard, NM. Brother Eliezer “Eli” Castillo will officiate the service.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels “Trusted care for the ones you love” ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.