Gilbert Allen Montoya, Sr.

Gilbert Allen Montoya, Sr. passed away peacefully on Friday, May 6, 2022 in Albuquerque, N.M. with his beloved wife and children by his side.

Gilbert will be remembered by his family and friends as a devoted husband, dedicated father, proud Opa, dependable son, caring sibling, and loyal friend.

He was born on Jan. 11, 1962 in Grants, N.M. He grew up in Grants and graduated from Grants High School in 1980. Gilbert attended TVI in Albuquerque, N.M, where he earned a Technical Vocational Diploma in Welding and began working in the Uranium Mines in San Mateo, N.M.

He joined the United States Navy which aided in the extension of his welding expertise attaining in-depth knowledge of oceanic underwater and nuclear welding. He became a welding instructor and also indulged into the realm of recruiting, firefighting and occupational and environmental safety, while proudly serving our country for 20 years.

After Gilbert retired from the Navy, he moved his family back to Grants. All three of his children attended Grants High School, exceeded in athletics, and honorably graduated, just as he.

In high school he met Christy, the love of his life. They got married after she graduated high school, lived in California, and three years into their marriage, began a family of their own. Together they brought three precious children into the world, Maegan, Gilbert Jr., and Candice.

Gilbert was promoted from dad to Opa in 2012 welcoming his first of seven grandchildren. Elijah, Benjamin, Josiah, AriaMae, Maeci Grace, and Noah enlightened him beyond what words could describe.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his father: Tito; father and mother-in-law: Benny and Janice; niece: Emilee; and several loved ones.

He is survived by his wife: Christy, daughter Maegan, spouse Adrian, and their children AriaMae and Maeci Grace; son Gilbert Jr., partner Angelina, and their children Elijah and Noah; daughter Candice, spouse Ryan, and their children Benjamin, Josiah, and new baby girl on the way; mother Modesta; siblings Lisa, Daniel, James and their families; siblings-in-law Tracy, Brandy, Sunny and their families, and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday June 16th at Sagebrush Church (Riverside Campus) in Albuquerque, NM at 11:30am. A celebration of life will follow at the American Legion Post #13 off of I-25 and University. Burial will be at Santa Fe National Cemetery Friday June 17 at 2 p.m.