Jose Tomas (Tommy) Portillo left this earth to be with Our Lord on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He had just turned 85 on March 7, 2023.

Tommy was born in Hurley, New Mexico to Emilia and Francisco Portillo and was one of nine children, seven sisters and two brothers. He attended elementary school in Hurley and high school at Hurley and Cobre High where he was a member of both the basketball and football teams. He was a meatcutter by trade and spent over 50 years in the industry. 

He is survived by two daughters: Barbara Annette Ortiz (Delbert) of Las Cruces and Carol Portillo (Tracey O’Donnell) of Taylor, Texas; Grandchildren Gabe Ortiz (Sadie Winkles) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Matthew Ortiz (Jaci) of Springlake, Michigan, Rebekah Regalado (Fernando) of Las Cruces, and Diego and Gabriella O’Donnell of Taylor, Texas; Great-grandchildren Eden, Mateo and Luis Ortiz, Jax Leonard and Daniel, Mia and Santiago Regalado.

He leaves behind three sisters Tarcila Pena of Alamogordo, Cora Trujillo of Albuquerque and Teresa Garcia of Silver City and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Lena Saiz, Anita Castillo (Annie), Magdalena Soliz (Neno), Juanita Alvarez (Cookie) and brothers Jimmy and Johnny.

Rest in Peace Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa Tommy. Thank you for always “Walking the Line”.

Cremation has been entrusted to Baca's Funeral Chapels in Silver City. Arrangements for the services will take place at Baca’s Funeral Home in Las Cruces. Services will be held in early June at St. Albert the Great Newman Center in Las Cruces, NM. Date will be posted on Baca’s Funeral Home website.