Jose "Lee" Leandro Larranaga

Jose Leandro (“Lee”) Larrañaga passed away at Haciendas at Grace Village, surrounded by family in Las Cruces, NM, on June 5, 2025. He was born in Encino, NM, to Alberto and Isabelita (Garcia) Larrañaga on April 26, 1940. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alberto and Isabelita (Garcia); his first and second wives and the mothers of his children, Mary Irene (Griego) and Guadalupita (Ortiz) Larrañaga; Brother Miguel Larrañaga; and daughter Juanita Rose Montaño. 

He is survived by his four daughters, Alberta Chavez (Gabriel), Annabell Coppedge (Gary), Bernice Yandell (Daniel), Julie Larrañaga (Amos); three sons Andre (Colleen), Michael (Patricia), and Marcos (Arlene) Larrañaga; sisters Maggie Archibeque (Ernest) and Nancy Lopez (Frank); brother Isidro Garcia (Margie); sister-in-law Dolores Larrañaga (Miguel); Lee leaves 23 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 1 great-great granddaughter, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and other family members and friends to cherish his memory.

Lee retired as a project manager from the New Mexico Department of Transportation, having begun his career as a road crewmember. Lee’s work took him all across New Mexico, including Bloomfield, Encino, Vaughn, Moriarty, Farmington, Pojoaque, Santa Fe, Ramah, and many others. He was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Moriarty. Lee enjoyed spending time with family and friends and at the family ranch in Encino. Services will be held at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Moriarty, NM, on July 5, 2025, the Rosary at 10:00 am, Mass at 11:00 am, with a reception following the service and burial at the Larrañaga Ranch cemetery, Red Hills, NM.