John Michael Gamboa

“Remember I was different, let me be different” John Michael Gamboa 23, of Roswell, NM, passed away on Saturday, August 18, 2018. He was born on March 8, 1995, in Roswell, NM, the son of Miguel and Jennifer Cabral. Memorial Services will be held at Grace Community Church, 935 W Mescalero Rd, Roswell, NM 88201, on Saturday, August 25, 2018, at 10:00 AM. Celebrate John’s life by visiting www.andersonbethany.com to offer a memory or expression of sympathy for his family. John Michael was a perfect example of genuine, authentic love. His world revolved around his family and friends. He truly cared about others and put everyone else’s needs ahead of himself. As a fiancé, Kayla says, “He was everything I could think of” and “always made me confident that everything was going to be ok”. As a father, John’s love for Avian was beyond measure. His world revolved around being the best provider possible for his son. For the rest of us, we knew John Michael for his quiet confidence and sense of humor. Someone who, in his own way, was both soft-spoken and at the same time, larger than life. John was bigger than any room he entered and would light up the place with his smile, his laugh, or his moves on the dance floor. His smile always communicated a confident “I got this,” whatever the situation. There was never a dull moment with John. With his love for music, whether he was teaching us how to Dougie or the lyrics to a new song about riding “…a bike with no handlebars,” he always kept us laughing. John’s spirit was very deep and complex. In one aspect, he was almost childlike as the picture of pure love, joy and hope in his pursuit of new adventures. On the other side, John was restless, driven, and determined to succeed in everything he tried. He was always pushing for more. He would want to say to you all that he loves you, and to let him “..be different”, and he would ask “What are ya’ll crying for?” Surviving to cherish John’s memory are his son, Avian Michael Gamboa; fiancé, Kayla McDonald; parents: Miguel and Jennifer Cabral; sister, Marissa Gamboa; nieces, Elianna and Rozalee; nephew, Sal; sister, Stephanie; brother, Donovan; maternal great-grandmother, Cerilia Soliz; grandfather and best friend, Johnny “Pompo” and Yolanda “Nani” Gamboa; close friends: Juan Saenz, Caleb Perlingos, Jose Sifuentes, Jose Hermosillo, David Rivera, Andy Campos, Alonzo Zamarripa, Carlos Hernandez and Marco Lupercio; aunts: Cynthia Dearnbarger, Susie Aguilar; uncles: David Aguilar and Jack Dearnbarger; cousins: Breanna, Victoria, Ryan, Alex Reed; and extended family: Joe and Ester Soliz, Gene and Rose Soliz, Mary Solis, John McDonald, Christina Urban, Cedric and Samantha Gonzales, Cecilia Urban, Yesi Salas and Yolanda Aragon. Special thanks to Theresa Boykin for your love and support for our family. Friends and family are welcome to attend the Celebration of Life Service at Grace Community Church, 935 W Mescalero Rd, Roswell, NM, on Saturday, August 25, 2018, at 10:00 followed by a gathering at his mother’s home 1408 S. Kentucky Avenue, Roswell, NM. In lieu of flowers, John’s family asks to consider making donations that are available through GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/john-michael-gamboa-memorial. John’s tribute was lovingly written in his honor by his family.

John Michael Gamboa

March 8, 1995 - August 18, 2018