Eloy Ramirez

Eloy M. Ramirez, 76, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, June 27, 2024. He was born in Roswell, N.M. on April 21, 1948, and is preceded in death by his parents, Amelia Mendoza and Manuel Ramirez, and sister Diana Sanchez. He was raised by his late grandparents George and Dominga Mendoza in Dexter and Hagerman, N.M.

He graduated from Dexter High School in 1967 and was drafted into the military that same year. He joined the US Navy and became an accomplished deep-sea diver during the Vietnam War. Altogether, he served 6 years of active duty in the Navy and 14 years in the Naval Reserve with an honorable discharge. He attended Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell and graduated with his associates degree in 1980. Eloy worked for the Roswell Fire Department as a Firefighter, Driver, Captain, and Fire Marshal. He also worked for the New Mexico Department of Transportation as a Road Inspector, and was a substitute teacher in the Roswell Independent School District.

Eloy is survived by his wife of 43 years, Hilda Carrillo Ramirez, their dog, Honey "Pee-wee," siblings, Leroy Ramirez, Melissa (Brian) Cunningham, Elidia (Richard) Villarreal, Lorena (Raul) Camacho, Larry (Sharon) Zamora, Christina (Noel) Clark. Together they had 5 children, Andrew (Alejandra) Grijalva, Marina (Orlando) Gonzales, Efrain (Thu) Grijalva, Eloy Jr. (Kiera M.) Ramirez, and Marisa (Ryan) Gonzales. Eloy was a very loving and dedicated husband and was happy to have formed such a blended family. Eloy and Hilda are the proud grandparents of 10 grandchildren, Ella Ramirez, Gabriela Grijalva, Olivia and Sonya Gonzales, Hokulani and Leilani Grijalva, Sabastian Gonzales, Eva, Solomon, and Sara Grijalva.

A funeral service will be held on July 11, 2024, at the French Funerals - Westside at 10 am followed by a reception at 11 am and burial to follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery.