Raymond "Sonny" Telles

Las Cruces – Our beloved father, Raymond Santo Telles, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 12th, surrounded by prayer and his family at the age of 90 yrs old.

Raymond was born in Las Cruces, NM, on April 18, 1935, to Francisco and Isabel Muñoz Telles in the home of his grandparents, Federico Sr. and Romana Preciado Telles, located in the Mesquite Historic District.

Dad worked many jobs starting in the 4th grade, including as a Main Street shoeshine boy, cotton and onion picker, pin setter at the bowling alley, and stocker in the produce section of Safeway Grocery. Always inspired by music, he loved singing and playing various instruments by ear, including piano, clarinet, guitar, and saxophone. He played tenor sax with Ray Jaramillo’s Kingsmen Combo Band, which played throughout the Mesilla Valley in dance halls, such as The Montezuma, and various lounges from 1951 to 1953.

After graduating from Las Cruces Union High School in 1953, Dad joined the Navy, where he served two years at the Tacoma Naval Base in Washington and the last two years at Sangley Point in the Philippine Islands.

After his four years in the service, Dad returned home in 1957 and married, who he called God’s gift to him, Dolores (Doty) Lucero. In Dad’s words, the Lord blessed them with five wonderful children: Marcy, Sylvia, Angie, Alex, and Bertha. Dad provided laughter and fun-loving memories for our family.

He and Mom were active members of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral. There, they served as Eucharistic Ministers, were involved in Marriage Encounter, developed strong friendships in the Living Water Prayer Group, and helped counsel engaged couples preparing for marriage. They often hosted prayer meetings at their home, where they enjoyed praising God in song with guitars, singing, and Dad on the saxophone. One of the group’s favorites was when Dad would play “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

Dad was also an active member of the Knights of Columbus Council 1226 as a Third Degree Knight, where he participated in community service and enjoyed lifelong friendships with fellow brother Knights.

Dad retired as Postmaster of Fairacres after 31 years with the postal service. In 1997, the Lord took his wife, Doty, home after a four-year battle with cancer, during which Dad took care of Mom tenderly until the very end. In 2001, Dad married who he called his second gift from God, Barbara Melendrez Biel, whom he had known since the 8th grade. Before Dad’s failing health, they had the opportunity to enjoy some traveling together, including to Spain and Alaska.

Dad, we are forever grateful for your love for Mom and our whole family, for your model of faith as a man of prayer, for your humor, songs, fun-loving personality, and beautiful smile that would light up a room. And thank you for passing down the gift of faith in Christ Jesus, where we have the hope of heaven in being reunited again.

Survivors include his sister, Rosella Telles of Colorado Springs, CO; daughters Marcy Womelsdorf (Ed) of Cedar Hill, TX; Sylvia Ryan (Tom) of St. Paul, MN; Angie Pyatt (Mark) of Sparta, MO; and Bertha Goldblatt (Greg) of Las Cruces. His grandchildren, Anthony, Crystal, and Edward Jr Womelsdorf; Angela Awad (Shadi); Thomas (Jessica), Elena (Edvard), Matthew, Dolores, and Margaret Ryan; Nicole (Brent) Potter; Andrew Pyatt; Nathaniel (Ana), Hannah, and Catherine Goldblatt; 12 great-grandchildren; numerous loving nieces and nephews; and extended family members.

Dad was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Teresa Apodaca and Mary Provencio; brother, David M. Telles; his first wife, Doty Lucero Telles; his grandson, Xander Telles; his second wife, Barbara Melendrez Biel Telles; and his son, Alex Telles.

Public visitation will be held at 6 p.m., followed by a Rosary Service at 7 p.m., Thursday, October 23, 2025, at Getz Funeral Home Chapel, 1410 Bowman Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88001.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, October 24, 2025, at St. Genevieve’s Catholic Church, 100 S. Espina Street. The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 5140 W. Picacho Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88007. Livestream services can be accessed at www.getzcares.com.

Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons Nathaniel Goldblatt, Thomas and Matthew Ryan, Andrew Pyatt, and sons-in-law Mark Pyatt and Tom Ryan.

The Telles Family extends heartfelt gratitude to Haciendas at Grace Village Assisted Living Facility for the incredible caregiving staff; to Sierra Hospice for the nursing, chaplain, and family support care; to Fr. Bill McCann, Fr. Alejandro Reyes, Fr. Theo Okafor, and Fr. Tom Smith for the pastoral care in visiting and praying over Dad; to St. Genevieve Catholic Church; to all relatives and friends who visited Dad over the years; and for your love and support to our family during this time.