Trueman "T.J." Block Jr

2/3/1932 - 6/28/15 T.J. instructed his family to say in his obituary, "T.J. Block is no longer old and decrepit. He is dead." Those who knew him understood his sense of humor. His family wants you to know that he was an honorable man, a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and friend to many. He is loved and will be greatly missed. T.J. was a 1950 graduate of Albuquerque High and quickly became an active member of the Albuquerque hot rod and racing community. He was a Lincoln Mercury auto technician for more than 40 years and won many national awards from Ford Motor Co. for excellence in diagnostics. He spent his retirement fixing cars for family, friends and neighbors. He was proud of being a third generation New Mexican, born in Encino. T.J. was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Sherry, his parents, Erma and Trueman J. Block Sr. and his sister, Cleo Haney. He is survived by a brother, Emory Quarles; children John Block and wife Jean, Jennie Taylor and husband Phillip, and Pam Gandee and husband Scott; grandchildren Jennifer Brown and David Shaffer (children of John and Jean), Zachary Taylor and wife Sarah, Jessica Rodriguez and husband Neil (children of Jennie and Phillip), and William, Logan and Amelia Rodriguez (children of Pam Gandee); great grandchildren Brandon Shaffer (David's son), Dane and Keller Brown (Jennifer's sons), Caleb, Owen and Nathan Taylor (children of Zachary and Sarah), and Cody and Liadan Rodriguez (children of Jessica and Neil); his very special friend, Carolyn Hasey, and friend and neighbor of 49 years, Millie Tjeltweed. If you would like to honor T.J.'s memory, please work very hard because one of the things he valued most was honest hard work, or have some work done on your car because he also highly valued taking good care of your car, or take care of those you love because above all else, he valued caring for his loved ones. The family is deeply grateful to the staff at Kaseman Hospice for their exceptional care and concern. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, July 7, 2015, 3:00 p.m. at Chester T. French Memorial Mausoleum Chapel, 924 Menaul Blvd NE. Please visit our online guestbook for T.J. at . FRENCH - Lomas 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 505-275-3500