Eli Rios

RIOS, Eli, age 76, of Las Cruces, NM passed away on February 7, 2024 with his wife Yolanda by his side. He was a graduate of Las Cruces High School class of 1966, a graduate from NMSU class of 1972 with a bachelor’s in education, and a graduate from the University of Phoenix with a Master’s in Education.

Eli was a beloved husband, father, uncle, cousin, and friend. He was a man who gifted others with his big heart, generosity, kindness, and contagious smile. His spirit, which proved to be more powerful than his physical limitations, was adored by so many. Eli was proceeded in death by his parents Maria Costales Rios and his father Eutemio Rios, as well as his brother Raul “Sonny” Rios (married to Rosa Rios), his sister Noemi Rios Flores (married to Paul Flores), and his beloved cousins Ernie Gonzales and Dora Garcia. Eli is survived by his childhood sweetheart and “Viejita” Yolanda Rios, his two daughters, Darlene Rios Ortiz and Annalisa Rios Roman, and his 6 grandchildren, which he adored, Lauren Roman, Jorge “JJ” Ortiz, Chloe Roman, Willie Roman III, Kaylin Ortiz, and Ethan Roman, his brother Larry Rios (Married to Esther Rios), sister Dina Rey (married to Alfonso “Poncho” Rey), as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Eli was born on February 19, 1947, in Las Cruces, New Mexico and was the youngest of his four siblings. As a young man, Eli was raised by his pastoral parents and was taught the value of serving community and people. It was in the church that his father pastored that the Gallegos family walked in as new congregants, and Eli set his eyes on Yolanda. After a childhood romance and many walks home from school, Eli married his sweetheart in 1968, and the two of them traveled and enjoyed their newlywed years before starting a family in 1973.

Eli was a dedicated teacher, teaching at Mayfield High School in Las Cruces NM, Isaac Middle School in Phoenix AZ, and Zia and Camino Real Middle School in Las Cruces, NM. He had a passion for Bilingual Education and was respected by his colleagues. He believed that helping his students to succeed meant helping their families too. He was known for giving generously to his students and their families, spending hours outside of the classroom investing and believing in the potential of student’s that needed that extra push to succeed.

Eli was a talented trombone player, starting his passion for music in the marching band at Las Cruces High School and continuing to play for the Pride Band at New Mexico State University. He served as a music director at the First Apostolic Church in Las Cruces, NM as well as the First Apostolic Church in Phoenix, AZ, where he enjoyed many years serving and working in the music ministry department mentoring and equipping young musicians, that became like family to him.

Eli’s greatest passion was family. He was intentional in planning camping trips, cookouts, and impromptu adventures with his wife and girls. He reconnected often with his brothers and cousins on golfing and hunting trips, and created memories and stories that lasted a lifetime. Eli loved his cousins as brothers and sisters, and considered his nieces and nephews as his own. He was an excellent cook and held many family barbeques and gatherings where food and love were served in abundance.

Eli loved to laugh, and he was always eager to find many ways to share love and affection. This translated into many hugs, kissy faces, “ojitos”, and “I love you’s”. When his health became limited, he focused on taking care of others and always smiled through the pain. Even in his final hours, he found the strength to blow kisses to his girls, give ojitos to his grandchildren, and write one more love note to his beloved wife.

Most importantly, Eli Rios was a man after God’s own heart. He believed in daily prayer and connection to his Creator. He loved the Lord, and he loved people fearlessly. He dared to hope and share that hope with others. In the wake of his passing, there are so many things Eli leaves behind, and to those he loved, he bestowed a legacy of Love and Faith.

A celebration of his life will be held on February 23, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Getz Funeral Home in Las Cruces, New Mexico. There will be a public visitation between 10-11 am, and a burial will follow at Masonic Cemetery where he will be laid to rest. A gathering for family and friends will be held after the burial at approximately 2:30 PM at Eddie’s Event Hall at 2825 N Main St, and all are welcomed to attend.

For those who would like to honor Eli with floral arrangements, flowers may be sent to the funeral home prior to the service.

The Rios family would like to express gratitude to the many friends and family who have showered Eli’s wife and daughters with so much love through prayers, phone calls, kind messages, stories, pictures, and food. The family would also like to express gratitude to Mesilla Valley Hospice, Dr. Shanbhag, the caregivers, nurses, and therapists who went over and beyond for Eli and Yolanda, making the final months of his life easier.