Brendell Joseph Gallegos

Brendell Joseph Gallegos, 68, of Rio Rancho, NM, passed away on May 16, 2021. He is survived by his devoted wife, Wanda Duran Gallegos; his son, Ruben (girlfriend, Lisa Lamoreaux) of Denver, CO; his daughter, Adrianna, of Malaga, Spain; and his sister, Diana Lopez; his stepchildren, April Encomienda (husband Jeric), Gabriel Jaramillo (wife, Jennifer); grandchildren, Gabrielle & Gianna Encomienda, Mateo & Estevan Jaramillo.

Brendell was born in San Jose, CA and moved, as a small child, to Albuquerque. He attended St. Mary Elementary School, Washington Junior High School and graduated from the class of 1971 at Albuquerque High. He received a bachelor's degree from UNM and a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Brendell was a very laid-back, humble, generous, humorous, and highly educated man.
He dutifully served our country in the US Army while stationed in Germany. After his military service, he returned to NM to pursue his education. This led to teaching in Carlsbad, NM. He them became a career Federal employee where he worked as a contract specialist at Kirkland Air Force Base, the Bureau of Indian Affairs and then retired from the USDA Forest Service in 2018.

Brendell's deep Catholic faith, his family and friends and his strong appreciation of Hispanic culture and language were all very important to him. He was always up to date on current events. Brendell knew how to laugh and celebrate good times. He enjoyed jogging with his buddies, working out at the gym and gardening. And he also enjoyed extra tomatoes on his enchiladas in honor of his mom.

Services will be held on Tuesday, May 25th at Church of the Incarnation, 2309 Monterrey Rd. NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144. A Visitation begins at 10:00 a.m., Rosary at 10:30 a.m., Mass at 11:00 a.m. Reception follows at 1:00 p.m. at Sandia View Christian School Gym, 024 Academy Drive, Corrales, NM 87048. Burial will take place at Santa Fe National cemetery in Santa Fe, NM, on Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.

Flowers may be sent to Church of the Incarnation or donations to UNM Cancer Center.