Leo A. Gardu?¤o

Leo A. Gardu?o, was called to his heavenly home on Sunday, August 8, 2010.˜ He was born in 1955 in Las Vegas, NM to Geronimo Gardu?o and Antonia Garcia Gardu?o.˜ Leo was the youngest son in a family of nineteen children.˜ He was raised in Las Vegas and graduated from West Las Vegas High School, and New Mexico Highlands University.˜ He married his sweetheart Patricia Aragon of Los Lunas, NM in 1977 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Peralta, NM.˜ Leo was employed as an electrician with EG&G/Allied/Honeywell at Kirtland for over 25 years, as well as being the founder and owner of Gardu?o Electric in Los Lunas.˜ He was lifted from the cradle of his family’s arms to the waiting arms of Jesus to begin his journey home and dwell in the House of the Lord.˜ His body grew tired and weak, but his spirit soared as the hours grew near.˜ He carefully and quietly planned for this day by the way he lived his life, and was prepared to join those who went before him.˜ He considered his life a blessing; unconditionally sharing with others the fruits of his labor.˜ Leo coached Little League and served as a referee for basketball in support of his and other children’s athletic activities.˜ He did not falter or tire in his devotion to his church, community, and family.˜ Both Patricia and Leo were active members of their church, serving as Padrinos for Our Lady of Guadalupe Church Fiestas, and were chosen in 2009 as the representatives of the Holy Family. He was a 4th Degree Sir Knight in the Knights of Columbus where he was an active member participating in many fundraising activities, including youth sports programs. He so loved his faith that he donated his labor, time and treasure to the beautification and restoration of the Sangre de Cristo Church in Los Lunas.˜ He started a tradition of cooking turkeys in his backyard horno for Thanksgiving, and he considered it an honor and a pleasure to be asked to cook them for family and friends.˜ He also found time for leisure and enjoyed stream fishing, camping and wine making.˜ Leo was preceded in death by his father, Geronimo in 1991; his mother, Antonia in 2003; father-in-law, Alfonso Aragon in 2001; brothers, Juan Bautista- Gardu?o, Jerry Gardu?o and Pete Gardu?o; sisters, Edwina Cristela Gardu?o, Isabel G. Chavez and Maria Elena Montoya who predeceased him on Friday August 6, 2010 all of Las Vegas.˜ He was also preceded in death by his sisters-in-law, Marilla Dominguez Gardu?o, Beatriz Martinez Gardu?o and hijada, Denise Gardu?o.˜ Leo is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Patricia Aragon Gardu?o of Valencia, NM; his beloved son, David J. Gardu?o and special friend, Jessica Zeck; precious daughter, Jessica A. Gardu?o and special friend, James Valverde all of Albuquerque.˜˜ Also surviving are his brothers and sisters and their families: Ray Gardu?o and wife, Andrea, Alice Gallegos and husband, Donald, Viola Gardu?o,˜Antonio Gardu?o, Daniel Gardu?o and wife, Antonia, Edwina Gallegos, Gilbert Gardu?o, Joe Gardu?o, Rose Ann Trujillo, and Rose Mary Gardu?o all of Las Vegas, Della Gonzales and husband, Rosalio of Arlington, TX, and Lorraine Hernandez and husband, Fred of Pueblo, CO.˜ Survivors also include mother-in-law, Paublita Aragon; brothers and sisters-in-law, Manuel Chavez and Carlos Montoya of Las Vegas, Elma Gardu?o of Thornton, CO, Juan Aragon and wife, Jude, Katheryn and husband, Richard Perez, Rafael Aragon and wife, Dolores, Anthony Aragon and wife, Liz, Michael Aragon, Evelyn Aragon, and Daniel Aragon.˜ ˜Also surviving are numerous loving nephews, nieces, cousins, Godchildren and dear friends.˜ All services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church; beginning with a viewing on Friday, August 13, at 6:00 p.m. with a rosary to be recited at 7:00 p.m.˜ A final visitation will be held on Saturday, August 14, at 9:30 a.m. with a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. with Father Hoi Tran as celebrant. Burial will follow at Valencia Catholic Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers: Martin Rosalio Gonzales, Danny Gardu?o Jr., Michael Joe Perez, Alfonso Gardu?o and Mathew Aragon.˜ Serving as honorary bearers are Joseph A. Baca, Elijah Perez and Alfonso Juan Aragon.˜Sign Leo’s online register book at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen, NM.

Leo A. Gardu?¤o

August 10, 2010