Ponciano Lucero

Ponciano Lucero

April 19, 1939 – July 25, 2026

Ponciano Lucero, 87, of Anton Chico, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026, after living with dementia, an unforgiving disease that gradually took away the abilities he treasured most. Though heartbreaking for those who loved him, his family finds comfort knowing he is now at peace and reunited with the love of his life, Candelaria.

Ponciano was a man of unwavering faith, quiet strength, and an incredible work ethic. He spent many years as a foreman for Bradbury & Stamm Construction in Albuquerque while pouring his heart into building the ranch in Anton Chico that would become the center of countless family memories. Through years of hard work and determination, he created a place that reflected everything he valued—family, tradition, and the beauty of New Mexico.

There was nowhere he would rather be than on the ranch. He loved tending to his cattle, baling hay, caring for his alfalfa fields, and opening the acequia each spring. The smell of freshly cut alfalfa and a hard day's work brought him genuine happiness.

The ranch wasn't simply a piece of land—it was where our family gathered. Holidays, birthdays, branding days, and countless weekends were spent there enjoying the beauty he worked so hard to create. The pool room was often filled with family and friends sharing stories, playing a game of pool, and enjoying a cold beer together. No one stayed a stranger for long around Ponciano. He loved welcoming people in, making them laugh with one of his jokes, and making everyone feel at home.

He also loved playing his guitar, especially classic country music, and could often be found teaching his grandchildren a few chords or playing songs everyone knew. Whether he was cheering on the Dallas Cowboys, making the annual pilgrimage to the Santuario de Chimayó each Good Friday with his family, or simply sitting on the porch watching the sunset over the ranch, he found his greatest joy in being surrounded by the people he loved.

Ponciano believed the greatest lessons in life weren't spoken—they were lived. His daughters grew up alongside him in the hay fields and around the ranch, learning the value of hard work, sacrifice, and family. As grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along, nothing brought him greater pride than watching them enjoy the place he had worked so hard to build.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Candelaria Lucero; and his grandson, Joseph A. "Joey Jr." Baca.

He is survived by his daughters, Priscilla and husband Leo Gurule, Pauline and husband Joseph Baca, Patricia Hampsten and husband John Gallegos, and Phyllis and husband Matthew Lucero; his grandchildren, Jacquline Hampsten and fiancé Rey Montoya, Justin and John Gallegos, Julian and Jaelene Gallegos, Abelino and Samantha Lucero, Renee, James, and Anthony Gurule; his cherished great-grandson, Hunter Montoya; as well as other great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.

A Rosary will be recited on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 10:15 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church (1860 Griegos Rd NW, NM 87107) in Albuquerque, followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Family and friends are invited to join the family for a luncheon immediately following the Mass.

Ponciano's legacy is one of faith, generosity, hard work, and unconditional love for his family. Dementia may have changed his final years, but it never changed the man he was or the life he built. His memory will live on every time family gathers at the ranch, a guitar is picked up, a joke is shared, or a game of pool begins. Though the ranch may be quieter now, it will always be filled with the love, laughter, and memories he created there.