Juan Carlos Lucero

J. Carlos Lucero

March 28, 1930 – May 10, 2022

Juan Carlos Lucero, son of Jose Abelino Lucero and Carlota Archuleta and beloved husband to Yvonne, was a respected engineer and businessman and a native son of New Mexico. He died in Arvada, CO at the age of 92.

Carlos’ New Mexico roots run deep. He was born in the village of Guadalupita in northern New Mexico, the oldest of eight children. His family traces their roots in Mora County to Spanish settlers who homesteaded this territory from Santa Fe to Taos dating back to the 1700s. Growing up near the Sangre de Christo mountains, Carlos acquired a lifelong interest in ranching, farming, forestry, wildlife, and many outdoor activities.

In the late 1930s, difficult economic conditions gave rise to a family move to Las Vegas NM, a thriving railroad town and economic center. Carlos attended schools in Las Vegas graduating from Las Vegas High School where he was a studious and popular star athlete. It was there he met his wife of over 70 years, the former Yvonne Kueffer, who passed away in 2018.

Carlos’ path to college and his accomplished engineering and business career was nontraditional, to say the least. As young parents, Carlos and Yvonne were raising five children by their mid-twenties. He worked as a long-haul trucker and later purchased a filling station in Albuquerque for a few hundred dollars. Seeking more stability, Carlos transitioned into a supervisory job at Dale Electronics, Inc., and Yvonne worked in administrative support positions while the children were cared for by grandparents. In 1956, Carlos enrolled at the University of New Mexico graduating in 1960 with a BS in electrical engineering. Remarkably, he pursued one of the most difficult and competitive college majors while holding a demanding full-time job, various part-time jobs, serving in the National Guard, and raising a family.

Carlos and Yvonne’s determination and sacrifice were rewarded when Carlos received several attractive job offers upon graduation. Carlos took a position at Honeywell Corporation and moved the family to Denver. At Honeywell, he developed and designed cutting-edge equipment in the fields of photo metrics, medical instrumentation and magnetic and recording instrumentation. In 1965, IBM Corporation recruited Carlos to its new Boulder, Colorado facility where he quickly earned a reputation as a top design engineer specializing in software for manufacturing test systems, factory automation software, and data storage systems. Carlos was in large part responsible for numerous patents at IBM, and his projects took him all over the world.

In the early 1970s, Carlos left IBM and pursued high-tech start-up ventures in the Boulder area. One venture he co-founded, Device Technology, Inc., designed and developed disc and tape storage devices. Its success led to an acquisition by Wang Computer Products. Before retiring from engineering, Carlos held executive positions at National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder and EG&G Idaho, Inc., in Idaho Falls, ID, where he and Yvonne lived for many years. While in Idaho, Carlos also pursued a variety of small business ventures and co-founded with Yvonne a successful computer equipment retail and distribution business which they sold in 1997 when they retired to Albuquerque.

Returning to Albuquerque, Carlos and Yvonne pursued and brought to fruition their retirement dream. They designed and built a beautiful home in the east mountains of Albuquerque. In 2018, they moved back to Colorado to be with their children.

Over many decades, Carlos was involved in numerous community, civic, and professional organizations. A few of his favorites included the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), Fair Housing Corporation, University of New Mexico Alumni Association Board of Directors, Mile High United Way, Colorado Civil Rights Commission, and New Mexico Highlands University Board of Directors Alumni Association. Carlos also found time to pursue many interests. He was an extensive reader, world-wide traveler, gun and car collector, skilled stock trader, and history buff with a special interest in family genealogy.

Nothing was more important to Carlos than his family. He will be remembered for his wisdom and broad knowledge and life experiences. Carlos was always available and willing to lend his advice and had a reputation as a valuable mentor to countless people over the years. He generously supported family and friends in need.

Carlos was predeceased by his wife Yvonne, brothers: Albino, Albert, Odosio, Abelino, sister Georgia Dziurzynski, half-sisters: Sophie Kemm, Ester Pray, Lita Lovato, Mary Garcia, and Simonita Cassidy. He is survived by his children: Carla Denerstein (Alex), Pamela Lucero (Percy Morehouse Jr.), Aileen Lucero (George Rivera Jr.), Garth Lucero (Nancy), Darlene Rodriguez (Paul); brothers: Fred Lucero and Robert Lucero, both of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren: Max Denerstein, Raquel Walstad, and Renee Stevens; great grandchildren: Josephine, Evelyn, and Chapman Walstad, and many extended family members.

A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, June 22, 2022, 9:30 a.m. at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 1900 Edith Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Interment will immediately follow. A reception will be held after Interment.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carlos’ name to the Hispanic Genealogical Research Center of New Mexico, P.O. Box 27250, Albuquerque, NM 87125.