Samuel Montoya

Samuel Susano Montoya was born on August 11, 1932 in Santa Cruz, NM, son of Procopio and Teresita Montoya; he danced into Jesus’ waiting arms on July 3, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Procopio & Teresita Montoya; his in-laws, Sabino & Lupita Madril; and his sister and brothers, Philomena Romero, Willie & Eppie Montoya. Raised in La Puebla, Sam joined the Army as a corporal after graduating from Santa Cruz High School. Upon his honorable discharge from the Korean War in, Sam began his education in engineering. Josie Madril from Duran, NM, married Sam on July 23, 1955; this July 23rd marks 62 years of marriage! After earning his B.S. in Biology from St. Michael’s College, Sam became a Professional Surveyor for the State of New Mexico for 25 years, retiring at 50. He embarked on a second “career” dabbling in real estate and helping friends and neighbors with his multiple skills, assisting with surveying and helping families resolve land issues. He was an advocate of the good old-fashioned barter system. Sam was a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Santa Fe, a member of V.F.W and B.P.O.E. (Elks) and an avid bowler. Sam had a natural social ability to meet people and make them feel special. He is survived by his beautiful wife Josie, his brothers, Joe and John Montoya, his children, Lynette Montoya and husband Jimmy Valdez, Randy Montoya, Suzette Sornborger and husband Jon, Julie Capistran; eleven grandchildren, Jimmy and John Valdez, Alex and Nicholas Montoya Valdez and fiancé Elizabeth Brug, Isaac, Hannah and Aaron Sornborger, Juliana and David Capistran, Natasha and Tatiana Montoya, and great-granddaughters Lily and Rosie Valdez and Margaret Clare Montoya-Valdez.
A Rosary will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2017 at 7pm at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Santa Fe. The Funeral will also be held there on Friday, July 7, 2017 at 11am. Full military interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the St. John the Baptist Soup Kitchen.