Victor E. Roybal

In the year 1925, in the season of Winter Solstice, Victor E. Roybal, Jr. was born to Juanita and Victor A. Roybal, Sr., Piro, Manso and Tiwa Indians. Victor's father, Victor Avalos Roybal, Sr. served as president of Los Indigenes de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe Corporation for over 25 until the 1940's. Victor Roybal, Jr.'s paternal grandfather was Felipe Roybal, Casique of the tribe in the early 1900's. His paternal grandmother was Francisca Avalos Roybal and his maternal grandfather was Victoriano Eres who was cited as one of the last being Tiwa Indians from Ysleta del Sur when he died in Las Cruces. Victor's maternal and paternal families descended from the Piro, Manso, and Tiwa Indians of the Guadalupe Mission, Ysleta del Sur, and Senecu del Sur of the El Paseo del Norte area during the 1600, 1700s and 1800s. In the mid 1800's, 22 Indian families from that area settled in the Mesilla Valley, in the southwestern corner of the original City of Las Cruces. Victor's great grandfather Jose Roybal was listed as Piro Indian Family head in the 1800's census records of El Paso and later settled in Las Cruces around 1860. These Pueblo Indian families from the El Paso del Norte Missions established what was to become the Piro/Manso/Tiwa Indian Tribe, Pueblo of San Juan de Guadalupe. Many years later, Victor Jr. was one of the original tribal leaders who initiated the tribe's petition for federal recognition in 1971. Victor served the tribe for over 30 years as Tribal Council Secretary and War Captain. Victor's contribution as Tribal Elder, leader and holder of tribal traditions and history will forever be a part of each tribal family's memory and they will miss their tribal brother. Victor not only served his tribe, but also was an Army WW II veteran and was proud of his name on the Las Cruces Veterans Memorial. Victor E. Roybal, 83 of Las Cruces, NM died Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at Casa De Oro Care Center. He is survived by two brothers, Louis Roybal and wife Wanda of San Diego, CA and Edward Roybal, (Casique) and wife Kathy of Las Cruces. Also surviving are two sisters, Stella R. Sanchez and Genevieve R. Moreno both of Las Cruces and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Edward and Robert and one sister Hortencia. Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 PM on Monday, August 18, 2008 at Getz Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be at 9 AM on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at St. Genevieve's Catholic Church. Officiating will be Rev. Virgilio Flores. Burial will follow at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery at 1 PM. Serving, as pallbearers will be Andrew Roybal, Larry Sanchez, Alfonso Marrujo, Frank Sanchez, Robert Bazan, and Pablo Garcia. PDF Printable Version