Conrado V Lucero

It is with great sadness we share the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. Conrado V. Lucero, 85, of Mesilla, New Mexico. Conrado or Coney as he was affectionally known by family and friends, died peacefully on Thursday, May 25, 2023, after a long- fought battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He was at home surrounded by his daughters and grandsons as he left this world to begin his next journey in what he would jokingly call, "The Happy Hunting Ground." Conrad was born on July 16, 1937, in Mesilla, New Mexico to Ernesto G. and Juliana Valenzuela Lucero. He was the third youngest of twelve children. At the early age of 17, on October 29, 1954, Conrad enlisted in the United States Airforce. After basic training at Lackland Airforce Base in San Antonio, Texas, Conrad was then assigned to Gary AFB, San Marcos, TX, and Craig AFB, in Selma, Alabama. After serving in the AFRES in Denver, Colorado, he was honorably discharged on October 28, 1962. He was proud of his service to his country. After his discharge from USAF, Conrad lived in San Francisco, CA before returning home to Mesilla, NM. There he met his future partner, Celia "Sally" Lucero. Conrad was an honorable and hardworking man. He instilled in his children and grandchildren an excellent work ethic, "Always be early. Don't make people wait. Finish what you start." His family always came first. He never missed a softball, basketball, volleyball, baseball, football, or soccer game. Conrad worked for Las Cruces Public Schools as a plumber for 28 years. After his retirement, he spent his days fishing and helping to raise his grandchildren. He truly lived the retirement dream, by doing what he loved. He will be deeply missed by all his family. Conrad is preceded in death by his parents, his partner, Sally Lucero, stepdaughter Evangeline Carabajal, granddaughter, Celeste Alderete, sisters, Candelaria "Cala" Ybarra, Dora Fierro, Amina "Minnie" Rede, Catalina (Katy) Holguin, brothers; Ernesto "Benny" Lucero, Gilberto, Reynaldo, Luz, Ruben, and Rodolfo "Rudy" Lucero. Conrad is survived by his only living sibling Abelardo Lucero of Anaheim, California, daughters, Cynthia Lucero, and Sandra Lujan, of Mesilla, Bridgit Ortega (Rick), Crystal Carabajal, stepdaughter Stella Alderete (Richard), and stepson Felix Valencia, of Las Cruces. Also surviving him are his grandchildren, Valarie Valencia, Naomi Ortega (Tony), Joshua Alderete (Christina), Jonathon Ortega (Athena), Ryan Lujan (Jasmine), Israel Ortega (Riley), Xavier Ortega (Callie), and Brandon Lujan whom he raised as his own son, great-grandchildren, Bentley, Aiden, Serenity, twins - Amalia and Aliana, Eyison, Jaxson, Atalei, Matthew, and Avery. He is also survived by his former son-in-law Oscar, whom he lovingly referred to as "Donald". There will be a viewing at Getz Funeral home on Monday, June 5, 2023, from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm with rosary starting at 6:00 pm. Conrad was a life lifelong parishioner at San Albino. The funeral mass will be held at the Basilica of San Albino on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at 11:00 am with burial to follow at San Albino Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons, Jonathon, Israel, Xavier Ortega, Ryan and Brandon Lujan, and Joshua Alderete. Honorary pallbearers are his granddaughters and great- grandchildren. We would like to thank the Mesilla Valley Home Hospice team that was assigned to help with our father, Priscilla, Jessica, Mariah, Averie, Laura, Juanita, Angelica, and Father George for their kind and caring support. We could not have gotten through this without them.