Olmedo Ledezma

Olmedo Ledezma, 78, passed away on Friday, February 14, 2025, in Roswell, New Mexico. Please take a moment to share a kind thought or memory with Olmedo's family at www.andersonbethany.com.
We want to celebrate the life of Olmedo Ledezma, our beloved brother, uncle, grandfather, friend, and United States veteran.
He was born on February 27, 1946, to Ernesto and Gertrudes Ledezma in San Carlos, Mexico.
He and his family moved to Hobbs, New Mexico, in 1957 and finally settled in Artesia, New Mexico, in 1959.
Olmedo attended Lake Arthur High School and graduated in 1966, not with straight A's, as he claimed, and we have proof. Olmedo excelled in all sports, especially basketball, except football because he was older than the game.
After graduating in 1967, he joined the United States Military, where he proudly served until 1971. He spent a year in Vietnam and returned to Artesia in 1970. Later, in 1970, he visited a little bar in Roswell, New Mexico, called the Gomez Club. It was there that he met the love of his life, Lala Reyes. Olmedo and Lala shared 52 years of ups and downs, happiness and sadness, love and laughter until she passed in 2021.
In his 55 years in Roswell, Olmedo, known as Homer by his friends and May by his family, worked as an exceptional mechanic, fixing everything and anything. He also spent some time doing construction and painting. He retired from mechanical work, started Homer's Lawn Services, and continued in business until he retired for good in 2016.
Some hobbies that he enjoyed are shelling pecans, packing chile, tinkering with his truck, and even had an oldies rock and roll band in his early years. He loved to sing, listen to good music, and watch sports. It is rumored that he was once a male model at one point in his life, a rumor that he probably started himself, but no one has ever confirmed.
Olmedo was always the life of the party. Everyone waited for him to show up, and everyone knew when he got there. He would never let you leave the party until you sang the family song. Olmedo liked to drive his cars just the way he talked, loud and fast.
There were two things besides Lala and his siblings that he loved the most: the children in his life and his animals. He would attend all the kids' games and every school event and was always there to help when needed. He had several dogs in his life that he adored, and the neighborhood cats knew if they came by, he would take care of them.
He and Lala always opened their homes to friends and family. They enjoyed having parties and get-togethers. Those evenings usually ended with sitting around the dining room table, laughing and talking into the wee hours. You knew you were in for a long night when he would ask you, "Are you ready for that butt kicking we talked about?" and this would start a 1-to-6-hour marathon game of Rummy.
Whether he was playing cards or telling tall tales (loudly), you knew you were in for a long conversation, a few good laughs, and an inappropriate joke or 12. He was loved by nearly everyone he encountered.
On February 14, 2025, Olmedo decided it was time to rejoin his true Valentine, Lala. He was surrounded by his family and all the love that they could give.
He was preceded in death by his love, Lala Reyes, his mother, Gertrudes Ledezma, his father, Ernesto Ledezma, and his nephew, Jeffery Ledezma.
Olmedo is survived by his sister, Maria L. Almanza (husband, Ernest); brother, Robert Ledezma; nephews, Robert Ledezma Jr. and Johnathan Ledezma; and numerous other nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. He was especially grateful to his grandchildren/caregivers, Rico Aguilar, Rico Aguilar Jr., and Isabelle Lucero.
A graveside service will be held at McBride Cemetery on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Olmedo's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in his name.
We love you, Olmedo. May you enjoy endless Rummies and unlimited dances with Lala.