Louis Manuel Montano

Luis Montaño was born on October 20, 1948, and succumbed on November 3, 2025, due to complications from Parkinson's disease. The firstborn of Jose Montaño and Petra Salinas Montaño, he was the oldest of 10 children from the Santa Rosa, NM barrio called Los Jarros. He graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1967 where he played football and wrestled at 103 pounds.
His quiet, unassuming nature belied fearlessness and confidence not readily seen. As in many large families, it was incumbent upon him as the oldest to set an example and show the younger siblings a world outside of their neighborhood.
Luis attended New Mexico Highlands University and completed his BA in Art. After college at New Mexico Highlands University, he set out for the northwest to teach and lecture on Mexican art at Washington State University and to continue work on his MFA. There were dry spells after leaving Washington for Arizona when he said he painted more walls than canvases or watercolors. But the great northwest had gotten under his skin, so he returned there, eventually finding satisfaction teaching inmates for the Washington prison system, continuing to develop his artistic skills and helping found the Potters Guild in Spokane. Creativity poured out of him in many forms over the years: pen and ink drawings, watercolors, pottery, jewelry, even a book of poetry titled The Long Place.
Luis was preceded in passing by paternal grandparents, Juan Montaño and Eufelia Pino Montaño, maternal grandparents Hilario Salinas and Delfinia Aragón Salinas, brothers Arsenio and Cristóbal Montaño, nephews Eliseo Montaño and Chris Márquez, and close friend, Hokie Quintana.
He is survived by sisters Virginia Maestas, Ophelia Tapia (Lawrence), Shirley Ulibarrí (Gilbert), and Linda Block (Greg). Also surviving are brothers John Montaño (Maryann), Mark Montaño (Theresa), and Martin Montaño. In addition, many other family members and friends will miss his earthly presence, including his dog Chango and close friends.
Per his request, no services will be held.
Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, where an online guest register is available at www.noblin.com
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