Armando P. Estrada

“Coach Abe Estrada”

 Armando P. Estrada was called home to our Lord on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Armando lived a long and rewarding life. He was deeply loved and devoted to his family and community, he was brilliant in his teaching and coaching abilities and most of all, his kind and peaceful heart will truly be missed. 

 Armando was born in Bayard, New Mexico on November 22, 1931. He was the 8th youngest of 10 children. Armando was a man of deep faith. He was baptized and served as an altar boy at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church located in Lordsburg, New Mexico. Armando graduated from Lordsburg High School in May of 1951. Armando went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in August of 1959 and Master of Arts degrees in August of 1966 from Texas A and I University.

 Armando was an outstanding student-athlete in high school where he earned 9 varsity letters as a football, basketball and track star. Not only was Armando selected as the 1951 Lordsburg High School Athlete of the Year, but he was also selected as the Student Council President for the 1951 Senior Class of Lordsburg High School. In June of 1951 Armando enlisted in the United States Navy and served on the USS Boxer. He was a two-year letterman for both the Men’s Football and Basketball teams as a part of the United States Naval Fleet Activities located in Yokosuka, Japan during the years of 1952 and 1953.

 Armando was a family man and dedicated father. Armando met his wife Josie of 68 years in the community of Beeville, Texas. They were married on June 3, 1956, and began a family. In 1959 Armando moved his family to Albuquerque, New Mexico and began his historic teaching and coaching career beginning at Coronado Elementary School for the next 7 years. From 1966 to 1970 he taught PE, coached football, boys’ basketball and track and field at Washington Junior High School. While at Washington Junior High, he led his basketball teams to two city championships. This caught the attention of legendary basketball coach Jim Hulsman who invited “Coach Abe Estrada” to join the faculty and athletic staff at Albuquerque High School in the summer of 1970 as a Biology Instructor and assistant football coach. The following year he became the school’s liaison until 1979. From 1980 to 1982 “Coach Abe Estrada” joined the Physical Education staff. Between the years of 1970-1979 and through the years of 1980-1982 he was an assistant coach for the Albuquerque High School Boys Basketball program that earned two New Mexico Boys Basketball State Championships in 1971 and 1977, and a total of 6 boys basketball state runner-up appearances. During this tenure “Coach Abe Estrada” went on to become known as the “Secretary of Defense” within the State of New Mexico boys high school basketball community. In June of 1982 “Coach Abe Estrada” was selected as the Boy’s Head Basketball Coach at Rio Grande High School where he led the 1985 Boys Basketball Rio Grande “Ravens” to the APS City Tourney finals and a 1985 regular season second place finish in District 2AAAA. Also, in 1985 he was selected as the 1985 Cable Television Coach of the Year. Between the years of 1988-2007 “Coach Abe Estrada” contributed to the success of Michael Cooper’s Summer Basketball Camps, numerous mid-school programs, a number of AAU boys’ and girls’ basketball teams, and volunteered during the 1990 Men’s Lobo basketball season under Dave Bliss. Again, in November of 1999 “Coach Abe Estrada” was invited back as a boys’ basketball assistant coach at Albuquerque High School where he went on to coach 5 more years. In the years of 2003-2004, “Coach Abe Estrada” was then invited by Women’s Head Basketball Coach of the Los Angeles Sparks Michael Cooper to assist in off-season defensive drills. In 2007, “Coach Abe Estrada” finally finished as the 2007 Albuquerque Thunderbirds D-League Champions volunteer assistant coach. On March 4, 2010, he was the recipient of the Albuquerque Sports Hall of Fame “Award of Distinction” and finally, on September 30, 2024 “Coach Abe Estrada” was inducted into the Albuquerque High School Hall of Fame.

 Armando also enjoyed camping and boating at Elephant Butte Lake with his family, barbecuing, traveling around the country in his RV especially with his grandchildren and visiting family in New Mexico, Texas and California and he had a great love for dogs, too. He also enjoyed very much attending those Los Angeles Lakers and Sparks championship runs while Michael Cooper played and coached.

 Armando is preceded in death by his mother, Adela Estrada; and his father, Juan Estrada and his numerous brothers and sisters.

Armando is survived by his wife Josie Estrada, his children Ron and spouse: Carmela Estrada, Henry Estrada, Chuck Estrada and partner: Penny Frick and daughter Alyson Estrada, his grandchildren: Ron Estrada Jr., Greg Estrada, Peter Estrada, Michael and spouse: Dolores, granddaughters and their spouses: John and Minnie Garcia, Andres and Ashley Montoya, and grandson: Armando Joseph Estrada, his great-grandchildren: Elena Estrada, Veronica Estrada, Josiah Estrada, Ava Estrada, Weston Estrada, Aiden Montoya, Stevie Garcia, Siana Garcia, Sonya Garcia and Maya Montoya.

 The family is very grateful to all his caregivers over the years, especially Joshua Cares Staffing, and to his son Chuck and partner Penny and daughter Alyson, who enabled his stay at home, and the tremendous hospital care the nurses and doctors at Presbyterian Hospital and the New Mexico Cancer Center provided.