John Rocha

John Manuel Rocha, 67, of Roswell, NM, passed away on July 19, 2016. He was born on December 21, 1948, in Sidney, Nebraska, to Guerillmo Salas Rocha and Josephine Guilez Montoya. A kind and hardworking man who loved his family, John worked with the city of Roswell for twenty plus years. He was an inspiration to those he was around. This was evident by the love, admiration, and respect given to him by all who knew him. The apple of his eye was his granddaughter, Jaylynn Apodoca. He was a man who enjoyed spending time with family and his close friends. He had many interests including, but certainly not limited to: gardening, fishing, and hunting. John had a soft spot when it came to fur babies; he loved his dogs: Coco, Bruno, Trouble, Bronson, and Rebel. John is preceded in death by his parents: Guerillmo Rocha and Josephine G. Montoya; step-father; Stanley Montoya; grandmother, Pilar G. Rocha, brothers: Jose Guilez, Florentino Guilez, Pedro Rocha, Guerillmo Rocha Jr. (Mike), Chon Rocha (Conception); sisters: Tina Montoya, Charlene G. Martinez, Dolores Rocha, Carmen Rocha, and Lupe Bouckley. Those surviving to cherish John’s memory are his life partner, Francisca (Fran) Apodoca; stepson, Tommy Apodoca and wife Serise; granddaughter, Jaylynn Apodoca; sisters: Jerri G. Samario, significant other, Alex Ogas, of Roswell, NM; Mary Lou Montoya, of Roswell, NM; Cecelia Meeks and husband, Chris, of Roswell, NM; Simona Zamona and husband, Francisco Zamora, of Colorado Springs, CO; Tina L. Montoya; Esther Landry and husband, Rick Landry, of Tahapachee, CA; brothers: Orlando Guiles, of Roswell, NM; Lucio Rocha and wife, Pauline, of Roswell, NM; Francisco Rocha, of Roswell, NM; and many nephews and nieces that loved him dearly. Viewing will be on Saturday, July 23, 2016, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM and Sunday, July 24, 2016, 1:00 PM-6:00 PM at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory. A Rosary will be recited Sunday, July 24, 2016, 7:00 PM at Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory. A Funeral Service will be held Monday, July 25, 2016, 10:00 AM, at the Anderson Bethany Funeral Home Chapel. Deacon Ernesto Martinez will officiate. Burial will directly follow at South Park Cemetery. Honorary Pallbearers are: Jesusita Aragon, Margo Nunez, Lucio Rocha, Francisco Rocha, Francisco Zamora. Pallbearers will be: Tommy Apodaco, Orlando Guilez Jr., Emilio Gonzalez, Raul Martinez, Jr., and Alejandro Ogas Jr. The family request you join them for a Celebration of John’s memory at the Ava Maria Center immediately following the burial. Please take the time to share your thoughts and memories of John with the Rocha family in the online registry at andersonbethany.com. Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to serve the Rocha family.

John Rocha

December 21, 1948 - July 19, 2016