Ray J. Coca

Ray J. Coca, 70, passed away August 5, 2024 in Albuquerque, NM. He was born October 14, 1953 in Las Vegas, NM to Romolo Coca and Eufemia De La O.
Ray graduated from West Las Vegas High in 1972 where he was an outstanding 4-year track athlete. His classmates will remember him working with Lucy Higgins in the cafeteria and his shenanigans with the water sprayer.
Ray served as a private in the US Army in Fort Ord, CA. Following his Honorable Discharge in 1974, Ray was employed by the City of Las Vegas until 1976 and then attended LVTI (LCC) where he earned his Practical Nurse certificate. During his career as a nurse, he worked at the State Penitentiary in Santa Fe and Anna Kaseman and Presbyterian hospitals in Albuquerque. He received an Employee of the Month award for his exemplary service.
He obtained his Real Estate License in 1986 and has helped hundreds of people achieve the American Dream of Home Ownership. He especially enjoyed helping homeowners from Las Vegas relocate to Albuquerque. He received many sales awards and he always attributed this to his ability to listen and understand what the home-owner's needs were. Towards the end of his career, he and his wife Eileen established and operate the company of Classic Realty New Mexico Properties.
Ray enjoyed life and had many interests and talents. He always loved to make people laugh and he will be remembered for his wit and sense of humor. His personality allowed him to be spotlighted as a background artist in several TV series including "Better Call Saul", "Deputy", and "Roswell". His movies included "Those Who Wish Me Dead", "Army of the Dead" and several others. His cars were also featured in various films projects.
He enjoyed traveling and liked to drive on long distance trips. He enjoyed rebuilding cars, motorcycles, and bicycles and always was working on a project. In his down time, he would draw and has filled many sketch books.
Ray devoted his time to his children and grandchildren, he was always able to attend their school concerts, school activities, and their sporting events. His grandchildren were the apple of his eye. He was a great mentor to his many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Natividad Garcia and Arturo Coca; nephews, Joey Owings, Baby Lawrence Garcia, Carlos J. Padilla; nieces, Laura Rael, Barbara Gurule, Alithea (Lisa) King and Aspen Rawlings; mother-in-law, Mary N. Lujan; father-in-law, Patricio Lujan; brother-in-law, Mark Saad.
He is survived by his wife, Eileen Lujan Coca; sons, Armando Coca (Adriana Romero), Mario Coca (Ruth Hatton) and daughter, Reyna Coca; grandchildren, Lathan Coca and Olivia Coca; brothers, Cleofes Joe Coca (Marcella), Romolo Coca, Jr. (Maria), Tony Coca (Mary Alice); sisters, Connie Coca and Mary Coca; sisters-in-law, Viola Coca, Jacque Padilla (Joseph), Geraldine Lujan, Mary Grace Montoya (Ron), Sylvia Lujan-Saad, Estefanita Rawlings (David), Monica Tavenner (John); brother-in-law, Patricio C. Lujan (Gloria). He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
A Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 14, 2024 and a Funeral Service will be held at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, August 15, 2024 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Las Vegas, NM with the following serving as Pallbearers; Armando Coca, Mario Coca, Lathan Coca, Julian Coca, Elijah Sims and Manuel Martinez.
Interment will take place at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 15, 2024 at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary, 600 Reynolds Ave., Las Vegas, NM 87701, 505-425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.
Please visit our online website at www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign the online register book.
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