Ramon M. Mendoza

Ramon M. Mendoza, Sr., 93 of Carlsbad, NM passed away peacefully at home on September 14, 2025.

Visitation will be 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM, Monday, September 22, 2025 followed by a vigil at 6:30 PM at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at San Jose Catholic Church with Fr. Juan Carlos Ramirez officiating. Interment will follow at Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, NM. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.

Ramon was born on August 18, 1932, in Las Varas, Chihuahua, Mexico to Rumaldo and Manuela Mendoza.

 He married Inez Dominguez on February 15, 1953. During the early years of their marriage, in an effort to pull his young family out of poverty and provide them with a better future, Ramon made the hardest decision in his life. He would join the Bracero program, a temporary labor initiative between the United States and Mexico that allowed workers to be employed in the US agricultural and railroad industries. For three years Ramon worked in various Otis/Loving Farms working countless hours enduring hardships and longing for his family to be by his side. After obtaining legal residency for his family and himself, that long awaited day finally arrived. At the bus station in El Paso, he anxiously watched the passengers disembark the bus that would bring his family, his life, back to him. For years he described shedding uncontrollable tears at seeing his wife, his three little ones, and their infant in her arms walk off the steps of the bus. After exiting the Bracero program, Ramon gained employment in the Loving cotton gin and was ultimately hired by the Santa Fe Railroad where he worked until his retirement. Ramon loved his family and said that his greatest pride and joy were his children. He enjoyed spending time at the casino, sitting outside and visiting with friends. He never met a stranger and openly helped those in need regardless of their situation. He was a member of San Jose Catholic Church.

Ramon is preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Inez, mother, Manuela, father Rumaldo, brothers: Angel, Leandro, Enrique and Francisco. 

Survivors include his wife Maria; brother, Roberto; sister, Maria; children: Raymond Mendoza, Maria Lopez and husband Robert, Rachel Castillo and husband Ruben, Lupe Brown and husband Kyle, Patricia Rodriguez and husband Donnie, Ramon Mendoza, Jr. and wife Cindy; grandchildren: Jesse Mendoza, Danny Mendoza, Monica Ramirez, Anthony Mendoza and Jazlynn, Chris Mendoza, Bobby Lopez and wife, Joleen, Patrick Lopez and wife, Victoria, Michael Castillo and Amy, Joseph Castillo and Brenan, Veronica Castillo and Leland, Sidra Methola, Matthew Methola, Sid Methola and Cidney, Will Rodriguez, Sophia Thompson and husband, Nic, Donnie Rodriguez, Jr. and wife, Megan, Rebecca Rodriguez, David Barani and wife, Tammy, Timmy Barani and wife, Stephanie, Eveyvette Martin and husband Ryan, and Joshua Mendoza; thirty-eight great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Pallbearers are Danny Mendoza, Bobby Lopez, Michael Castillo, Matthew Methola, Donnie Rodriguez, Jr., Joshua Mendoza.

Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com