Cecil Gabriel Soto

1944-2024 Dr. Cecil Gabriel Soto, a resident of Los Lunas, NM, passed away on August 27, 2024. Public viewing will be held September 13, 2024 at 6pm, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Peralta, New Mexico. Rosary will be September 13, 2024 at 7:00 p.m., Final visitation will be September 14, 2024 at 9:00 a.m., Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, Peralta, New Mexico. Funeral mass will follow on September 14, 2024 at 10:00 a.m., Interment immediately following funeral mass. Honorary pallbearers: Maxim Moya, Maisie Moya, Micaela Rowen, Isaiah Rowen, Johnathan Soto, Leia Soto, Max Moya, Jovonna Soto and Derek Rowen In honor of a life well lived. Well done, good and faithful servant! Cecil was born the youngest of three children and raised in Albuquerque, NM. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic School his entire life. In high school, he was an excellent student and loved to engage in sport. He played baseball, football, basketball and also worked as a peer counselor at Wells Park recreation center. He had a deep passion for learning that led him to the University of New Mexico, where he earned his undergraduate degree. This helped to launch his transition to dental school at the University of Missouri Kansas City. Prior to leaving for dental school, he had met Rosalia Ortiz. The two married 4 years later and maintained a strong Christian marriage for 51 years. They welcomed three children and established their home and his dental practice in Los Lunas, NM. He went on to serve Valencia County residents, providing dental care for 47 years. He often could be found cheering on the Los Lunas Tigers or the New Mexico Lobos at various sporting events. He also was a very active and engaged member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where he served as a lector, eucharistic minister and member of the parish council. Dr. Soto had very humble beginnings and always made sure to care for and advocate for those in need his entire life and career. He regularly engaged with people in the community to ensure they had their needs met. He was a very passionate, sensitive, sincere, and dedicated community member. He had a keen ability to relate to anyone he met, exchange stories, listen without judgement, and be gentle in his counsel. Cecil is preceded in death by his parents Cecil Soto Sr. and Elizabeth (Isabel) Gonzales Soto, his sisters MaryAnn (Eloy) Sandoval, and Connie Lou Soto. Also, his loving in-laws Amadeo and Eufemia Ortiz, Jerry and Magdalena Raught, Francisco Ortiz, Kenneth Cain, Samuel Ortiz, Rebecca Ortiz and nephew Samuel Kenneth Raught. He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife Rosalia Soto, children Marisa (Derek) Rowen, Matthew (Jovonna) Soto, Melanie (Max) Moya. Also, his beautiful grandchildren Maxim and Maisie Moya, Micaela and Isaiah Rowen, Johnathan and Leia Soto. He has numerous cousins and generations of nieces and nephews that he loved deeply. He was also fortunate to have many loving friends and neighbors that were extended family. Cecil will be deeply and greatly missed, but his memory and example will live on in all his survivors. We would like to extend a special thank you to the trauma ICU team at UNM Hospital who provided loving and compassionate care to our father and supported all of us during a very difficult time. They are an exceptional group of caregivers that will hold a special place in our hearts. Please sign Cecil’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

Cecil Gabriel Soto

December 18, 1944 - August 27, 2024