Joe Manuel Lujan

Joe M. Lujan was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather; he went to be present with the Lord on January 7, 2024, at the age of 84. His legacy of kindness and compassion will be treasured by those that he impacted during his time on this earth.   Joe appeared to be a simple man; he could enjoy the simple things of life and understood the value of his family. His tenderness and love for his grandchildren and great grandchildren rendered him especially dear to them. His patient and gentle demeanor captured their love; his concern for their welfare was manifestly evident by his sacrificial generosity that reflected the conviction that it is more blessed to give than to receive. In many ways, Joe’s life was, from his earliest years, an illustration of sacrifice in which his interests, desires, and dreams would continually give way to the needs of others. For even as a young boy, he was compelled to forego even the most elementary of educations so that, through his labor in agriculture, he could help satisfy the basic needs of his family. That sense of responsibility and obligation—to spend and be spent— for the welfare and benefit of others was embraced by him throughout his life such that it seemed to be his very calling. With him, it seemed that the more he gave of himself and his resources in the interest of those he loved, the more joy he felt. Though he was a quiet man—a man of few words—the way he lived his life towards others revealed a wisdom that even the greatest of educations alone cannot bestow.   Joe died a loved man. His family, gathered around his bed in his time of weakness, to nurture, defend, and care for him: to express their love for him, was the return on an investment he had been quietly, gently, and selflessly pouring into all their lives. And at the divine appointed time, he reaped a bountiful harvest of love. The scene testified to a life well lived.   Joe is survived by his wife, Alice, of 63 years; his son, Tom; Tom’s wife, Jaina, his grandchildren, Dustin, Danielle, and Amanda; 13 great grandchildren; and sisters, Mary Lou and Florence, and a brother, Edward. He is preceded in death by his father, Manual Lujan; mother, Clarita Lujan; brothers Ralph, Raymond, Henry and Larry; and three sisters Teresa, Celena, and Inez.