Fabian David Aguayo

Fabian David Aguayo 

March 28, 1970 - October 27, 2024

 Fabian David Aguayo, known to his loved ones as “David,” passed away at the age of 54 on October 27, 2024, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, in the arms of his loving girlfriend, Lisa Montoya. With him, he took a light that has forever dimmed our world.

 David was born in Deming, New Mexico, to his cherished mother, Monserrate “Chalate” Aguayo, on March 28, 1970. The world was not ready for the force of life that arrived that day, and David grew to become a breath of fresh air and a constant source of joy to everyone who knew him. While we could share that he graduated from Deming High School, attended New Mexico State University, and dedicated 27 years to the City of Las Cruces, these facts barely capture the heart and strength of the man we knew and loved.

 David was the bravest, most generous, and most loving man we have ever known. He had the biggest heart, loved deeply, and was utterly selfless. There wasn’t a jealous bone in his body, and he wished everyone around him success and happiness. His love for laughter was legendary—his sense of humor and famous sarcasm made him the life of every gathering. He had a smile that could light up any room, a presence that captivated, and a laugh that was simply contagious. People were naturally drawn to him, as he had an uncanny ability to make everyone feel valued and accepted, just as they were.

 A proud and avid Chicago Bears fan, David would remind you he’d cheer for “anyone but Dallas.” He loved sports, whether it was wheelchair basketball, tennis, or pool. When his health allowed, he looked forward to playing pool with his friends in his league every Tuesday night. He found joy in the simple pleasures of grilling on summer days, roasting green chile in the fall, and working on projects. Most recently, he built raised garden beds for Lisa, spending many peaceful hours in the garden, where he delighted in watching bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

 Despite facing his own health challenges, David was deeply committed to helping others. He was a member of an ostomy and spinal cord injury support group, where his kindness and encouragement touched countless lives. Accessibility and supporting the disabled community were important to him, and he advocated for everyone to have equal opportunities and spaces where they could thrive.

 David’s love of nature took him on frequent drives to the Organ Mountains, where he searched for snakes, watched lightning storms, and soaked in the beauty of the desert. He shared his passion for 80s music with his youngest daughter, Izzy, as they jammed out on long drives, talking about life. His daughters, Alyssa, Mariah, and Izzy, were the lights of his life, and he was an incredibly proud grandfather to Oliver, Jackson, and Mateo. His excitement for their futures was boundless.

 Family was everything to David, and his closest friends became family to him. His niece and nephew, Paulita and Joe Ramirez, held a special place in his heart, and he loved them as if they were his own children. He also shared a bond with his cousin Francis, whom he regarded as a sister. If you ever went out with David, you’d find him stopped by people wanting to talk and share a laugh. He truly cared for everyone he met, treating his friends as brothers and sisters, and ensuring those close to him knew they were always enough. David had an innate ability to understand people deeply and bring healing with just his presence. Whether you had known him for years or had only just met, he had a way of making you feel seen and loved.

 David is survived by his loving girlfriend, Lisa Montoya, of Las Cruces; his daughters, Alyssa (Joseph) Molina, Mariah Chavez, and Izzy Montoya, all of Las Cruces; his siblings, Rosa Maria Porras of Deming, Fidaela (Carlos) Diaz of Irving, Texas, Lupe Romero of Santa Fe, Frank (Danielle) Mendoza, Lucy (Josh) Milks, Raquel Chavez, and Letty (Cesar) Garcia, all of Las Cruces; his beloved grandchildren, Oliver, Jackson, and Mateo Molina; his dear niece and nephew, Paulita and Joe Ramirez; his cousin Francis; his Tia Lalia Carnero of Hatch; his mother-in-law, Nancy Mashburn, and sister-in-law, Cheri (Brian) Hamilton of Las Cruces, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved him dearly.

 He is preceded in death by his angel of a mother, Monserrate “Chalate” Aguayo, and his Tia Paulina Aguayo Flores, who was a second mother to him.

 David’s pallbearers will be Frank Mendoza, Josh Milks, Michael Flores, Christian Flores, Marco Padilla, and Joe Ramirez. Honorary pallbearers include Jerry Flores, Adan Flores, Emmanuel Padilla, and JC Lopez.

 Funeral services will take place on Saturday, November 23, at 9:30 a.m. at Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E Bowman Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001, with burial to immediately follow at the Masonic Cemetery, 860 South Compress Road, Las Cruces. To honor David’s dedication to accessibility, wheelchair-accessible seating will be available at Getz.

 Those who wish to send flowers in David’s memory can have them sent to Getz Funeral Home, 1410 E Bowman Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001. The family encourages those who wish to honor David to continue sharing memories and photos, preferably by tagging him on Facebook. In keeping with his spirit, we ask that you live life as he did—by laughing often, loving deeply, supporting one another, and embracing every moment.