Raymond Anaya

Raymond E. Anaya,

Raymond E. Anaya was born on August 8, 1927 in Clayton, New Mexico to Reymundo Anaya and Aroma Overbay Anaya. He peacefully passed away at his home on February 18, 2021 at the age of 93 surrounded by his wife, Debbie Anaya, and daughters, Charlene and Connie.

He served honorably in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1970 and retired as a Chief Petty Officer. His decorations include: Fifth Award of the Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, WWII Victory Medal, China Service Medal, Navy Occupational Medal with “Asia” Clasp and the National Defense Service Medal. While serving in the Navy, he visited fourteen countries: Japan, Spain, Italy, and China, to name a few. He would always say “If the Navy would take me back at this age I would go back in a moment”. He attended Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, New Mexico receiving a Master’s in Education. He went on to teach grade school for the Roswell Independent School District at Pecos Elementary where he retired after 20 years in 1990. Ten years later, he came out of retirement and again served the RISD as a substitute teacher grades K-12. He loved his job as a teacher and substitute.

He was a devout Catholic, an altar boy growing up, and later taking on a holy hour at Assumption Parish where he was a parishioner since 1976. He acquired his love of traveling while serving in the U.S Navy. He loved to drive and travel by car with his family, every vacation was to a historical site. Some of his favorite pastimes were to read about history, play card games, watch Jeopardy, and later in life learned and master the ability to build and create his family home. Most of what he built and created was learned by reading books and by the help of his brother in law Michael Valdez, a contractor. He enjoyed talking to anyone that was around him and learning about their history; his favorite saying was “Where are you from originally, do you know this person.” He enjoyed trying all different kinds of food. He loved to listen to music, especially jazz and big band era. He was a fantastic dancer and loved to dance with his wife Debbie. After all the kids were gone, he would dance with Debbie every day before she went to work; they would dance to their favorite artists such as: Patsy Cline, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and many more. Much of how we all learned about him was thru his story telling of his life to us and others.

He was proceeded in death by: his parents Reymundo and Aroma Anaya, brother Frank Farias and wife Francis, sister Francis Sears and husband Louis, Mary Martinez and husband Charlie, and Louise Biernot, son Federico Anaya, nephews and nieces: Benny Farias, Frankie Jr. Farias, Louis Sears Jr., Cookie Martinez; sister-in-law Dodie Collins.

He is survived by his loving, wife Debbie Anaya of 43 years, and their four children and by his ex-wife Nickie Connolly and their four children. Surviving children begin with Larry Sisneros, wife Rowena; Charlene Sanchez, husband Ruben; Connie Anaya; Arthur Anaya, wife Sandra; David Anaya; Brian Apodaca; Orlando Anaya; Kathleen Zachry, husband Zach; and Raymond Anaya III, wife Jenna.

Grandchildren: Ruben James, wife Cynthia; Jacob, fiancé Lexi; Dominic, Leticia, Mark, Monique, Nathaniel, Monica, Michael, Amber, Joy, Sara, Joseph, Uriah, Peyton, Landon, Madilynn, Camrynn, Tawney, Haidyn, and Layla.

Great-grandchildren: Diego, Maria Elena, Westin, Adaleah, Dominic Jr, Adrian, Nicholas, Ethan, Gabriel, Ezekiel, Santiago, Ambriella, Frankie, Marcus, Mary Ann, Erica, Christopher, Emberly Alannah, Dominic, Mariah, Mike, Zander, Hayley, Bella, and Raymond.

Other family members include: nephew Mackie Farias, wife Ruby; nephew Phillip Farias; niece Margaret Tucker, husband Kenneth; niece Barbara Ann Mann and husband; niece Marcela Kramer, husband Fred; niece Florence Sandoval; niece Elizabeth Ramirez, husband Tony; niece Diane Fawkes, husband Emerson; niece Denise Robinson, husband Jeff; niece Debbie Biernot; nephew Gerald Biernot, wife Patricia; niece Felia Cordova; brothers-in-law: Michael Valdez, wife Dorothy children: Chris, Mark and Lisa; Pat Valdez, children: Brandy and Diana, partner Betty; Ricky Don Valdez; Chester Biernot; sister-in-law Margo Waltz.

Many thanks to the staff at Encompass Home Health including the nurses, care givers, therapists; Kindred Hospice and the Joy Center.

Special thanks to Rosana Saldana, Evelyn Kresyman, and Donna Askins.

A rosary will be prayed at 9:30 AM and funeral mass to follow at 10:00 AM on February 24, 2021 at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church at 2800 North Kentucky Avenue, Roswell, New Mexico 88201. He will be interned at the columbarium at same location following the mass. Pall bearers will be Ruben James Sanchez and Jacob Sanchez. Honorary pall bearers include his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to: All Saints Catholic School, 2700 North Kentucky Ave. Roswell, New Mexico 88201.

“The joy of the Lord is my strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me.