Dr. Ralph "Doc" Thomas Montoya

MONTOYA - Dr. Ralph Thomas Montoya, age 90. “Doc�’s long journey of life ended peacefully on Monday, April 12, 2010 in Albuquerque, NM. He is survived by his children, Ralph Gilbert Montoya and granddaughter, Glynis Kate Montoya, Michael Anthony Montoya and his wife, Christine Montoya and grandson, Rudolfo Tomas Montoya, Joseph Ronald Montoya and Maria Dolores Preciado and husband, Lupe H. Preciado, grandchildren Gabriella Maria Preciado and Joaquin Merced Preciado. Ralph was born in Wagon Mound, New Mexico on September 19, 1919. He graduated from St, Michael’s College High School in Santa Fe where he was a mile runner and state boxing champion. He attended New Mexico State University for Pre-med and served in the Pacific Theater in World War II as a front gunner in a B-24 Liberator. Upon his return he married Andrea Carrillo from Agua Fria. He graduated from Creighton Dental School in 1949 and was assigned to David Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson Arizona and Goose Bay Labrador. He returned to Albuquerque in 1953 and practiced general dentistry for 35 years. Upon his retirement, he established the dental care unit at the New Mexico Veterans Center in Truth or Consequences. He participated in Golden Gloves Boxing. He was instrumental in starting the Boy Scouts Troop at Regina Coeli School and helped establish the building of Queen of Heaven Church. He was a 4th degree member of the Knight of Columbus and past Grand Knight of Council 641. He was a Minority Affairs Delegate with AARP. His many activities included volunteering as a Boy Scout leader, the Palo Duro Senior Citizens Center, St. Joseph’s Hospital, Eucharistic Minister, Mora Community Clinic. In his last years he enjoyed attending chair exercises at Barelas Senior Citizen’s center. He was a member of the New Mexico and American Dental Association, New Mexico Health Commission, Knights of Columbus, Elks, VFW, and Optimist Club. Some of his happiest moments were caring for his patients, working hard for his children, spending time with his grandchildren and making people laugh with some of his Raza Charlie Chaplin and Clown characters. He appreciated the warmth and kindness of the people at Alcalde Condominiums where he spent the last years of his life. His smile, his laugh, his compassion and generosity will be greatly missed. Rosary will be held Wednesday, April 14, 2010, 6:00 p.m., at French - University Chapel. Mass will be held Thursday, April 15, 2010, 10:30 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Church, 619 Copper NW, with burial at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Louie Carrillo, Danny Montoya, Thomas Macken, Lupe Preciado, Rudolfo Montoya, and Peter Vigil. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Eloy Gutierrez, Dr. Robert Bachicha, Dr. Robert Lucero, Dr. Paul Franco, Dr. James Calderone, and Joaquin Preciado.