John C 'Chris' Leyva
December 22, 1940 — May 3, 2017
Johnny Cordero "Chris" Leyva passed away on May 3, 2017. Born to Crisoforo Pavia Leyva and Francisca Cordero Leyva on December 22, 1940 at Hayner's Ranch near Hatch, New Mexico. He graduated from Hatch High School in 1959 and played football for the Hatch Bears and also found his love of performing as Smokey the DJ. He served proudly in the U.S. Army from 1960-1963. He retired from...
Johnny Cordero "Chris" Leyva passed away on May 3, 2017. Born to Crisoforo Pavia Leyva and Francisca Cordero Leyva on December 22, 1940 at Hayner's Ranch near Hatch, New Mexico. He graduated from Hatch High School in 1959 and played football for the Hatch Bears and also found his love of performing as Smokey the DJ. He served proudly in the U.S. Army from 1960-1963. He retired from Northwest Airlines, now Delta Airlines in 2003 after 38 years of service as a Gate Agent and Drug and Alcohol Counselor. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 38 years, Marilyn, his daughter, Lisa and her husband, Rick, his daughter, Kristy and her husband James and his son, John and his wife Linda. His brother, Richie and his wife Ruby, his sister-in-law, Ida as well as many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews, also survive him. He was a friend of Bill W for 43 years, a Knight Commander in the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, always the champion of the underdog, a talented artist and poet. He never met a stranger, was loved by many, and will be missed by all whose lives he touched. Services will be Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman, Las Cruces, NM at 1pm with visitation from 12pm-1pm. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project in his memory.
Johnny Cordero "Chris" Leyva passed away on May 3, 2017. Born to Crisoforo Pavia Leyva and Francisca Cordero Leyva on December 22, 1940 at Hayner's Ranch near Hatch, New Mexico. He graduated from Hatch High School in 1959 and played football for the Hatch Bears and also found his love of performing as Smokey the DJ. He served proudly in the U.S. Army from 1960-1963. He retired from Northwest Airlines, now Delta Airlines in 2003 after 38 years of service as a Gate Agent and Drug and Alcohol Counselor. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 38 years, Marilyn, his daughter, Lisa and her husband, Rick, his daughter, Kristy and her husband James and his son, John and his wife Linda. His brother, Richie and his wife Ruby, his sister-in-law, Ida as well as many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews, also survive him. He was a friend of Bill W for 43 years, a Knight Commander in the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, always the champion of the underdog, a talented artist and poet. He never met a stranger, was loved by many, and will be missed by all whose lives he touched. Services will be Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E. Bowman, Las Cruces, NM at 1pm with visitation from 12pm-1pm. Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project in his memory.
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