Andrez Herrera

Andrez Xavyr-Ray Herrera, Jr. adored son of Andrez and Brooklynn Aguilar, passed away tragically on October 24th, 2023. He was born on November 20th, 2018, in Roswell, NM. He was four years old. Andrez attended pre-school at Parkview (where he lovingly acquired the nickname “The Runner”) and had daily sessions at Meca Therapies. Although he was diagnosed with Autism, it never defined him. He made his needs known in very special ways. He was learning ASL to help his parents understand when he had no words. His favorite sign was “More” – more cookies mommy, more! Our Bubba would be happy if all his meals consisted only of Cookies and Chips. His dexterity was incredible. Even as an infant he could find ways to take apart the smallest toys. He loved seeing how things worked or were put together. And he loved doing it all on his own, no matter the task. Bubba had a definite tell, especially if he was about to do something he was not supposed to do, he would give a smirk and a mischievous side-eye and we knew he would soon be in trouble or he’d be making us laugh. He lived in his own world and each of us were blessed enough to be allowed to visit it. He was passionate about Dinosaurs, Bubbles, Singing in the Car, Loud Crazy Music, YouTube videos, anything water related (he could stay in the bathtub for hours!) and Disney Movies. He watched “Encanto” so many times that he followed along word for word for most of the movie, even acting out his favorite parts. (And no, we don’t talk about Bruno.) Fighting with his Sister and then loving on her was his favorite pastime, and lately, riding the new bike Grammacita gave him (plus stealing his sister’s bike) gave him so much joy. He would scare us and make us laugh all at the same time as he rode up and down the driveway and learned new tricks super quickly. He gave amazing hugs and always had a kiss for you. If you were loved by Andrez, you were truly special, he wasn’t one to just accept you blindly, you had to earn his love. But once you were in his inner circle, you were there, always. In addition to his parents, he is survived by paternal grandparents, Joseph Aguilar and Blacita Herrera, maternal grandparents, Jesse and Adriane Lewis, and Crystal Simmons, (maternal) great-great-grandmother Janice Lee, (paternal) great-grandmother Yolanda Lara, (maternal) great-grandmothers Donna Lee and Mary Davis, (maternal) great-grandfather Richard Lee, aunt Alexandra Lewis, uncles Santiago Aguilar and Zachary Burkhalter. Along with numerous great-aunts, great-uncles, cousins (Especially our Aguilar, Herrera and Lee families) and many, many friends who are family as well. He passed away alongside his ‘Nina, his ‘Riya and his huge puppy, Daisy. He is preceded in death by his uncle Jo-Nicholas (Nick) Aguilar and uncle Xavyr Jo-Ray Herrera, (paternal) great-grandparents Reyes and Amelia Herrera (maternal) great-grandparents Terry Davis, Rita Gratz and William Treat. And many great-uncles, great-aunts, cousins and friends who were all waiting to welcome him home in the Kingdom of Heaven. A rosary is scheduled for Sunday, November 12th at 6pm at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at Christ’s Church, 2200 N. Sycamore Avenue on Tuesday, November 14th at 12:00pm. The family would like to extend their overwhelming gratitude to this amazing Community for their donations, acts of love and their continued prayers, to the Earthly Angel who blessed our family by covering the entire funeral expense, to the paramedics, firefighters, officers (especially the officer on scene who made sure we got to the hospital quickly and safely) and to the ENMMC staff who did everything in their power to try to save our babies. Our eternal thanks to the OMI Staff and to Anderson Bethany Funeral Home for making this process as easy as possible in the worst moments of our lives. Prayers are powerful. Your continued prayers and love are what will see us through the darkest days to come, but with God’s Grace, we will hold our children once again.

Andrez Herrera

November 20, 2018 - October 24, 2023