Ronald Leroy Romero

Ronald Leroy Romero, age 53, passed away after a courageous battle with COVID-19 on Tuesday, December 21, 2021, with family by his side.
He was born on April 18, 1968 in Las Vegas, NM to Larry Romero and Marcella Vigil Hernandez.
Ron attended Robertson High School (Class of 1986), where he excelled in track and football. After graduating, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country for eight years. In that time, he was stationed in units around the world, including Bamberg, Germany, Ft. Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma, and Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas.
After leaving the Army, Ron became an extremely talented self-taught chef and began a successful culinary career. He always took great pride in being referred to as "Chef Ron." He worked at numerous restaurants, including the Plaza Hotel, where he cooked for both locals and visitors; he cooked for students at Highlands University and Luna Community College; for the clergy and visitors at the Pecos Benedictine Monastery & Retreat Center; and also, at the Fifth Quarter Grill on the NMHU Golf Course (to name a few). Eventually, Ron and his then-partner Michelle Trujillo, decided to open a business of their own. Meadows Bar & Grill opened its doors and operated successfully for approximately 4 years. In that time, he became well known for some of his signature dishes such as carnitas diablo, Northern Alfredo, brown ale shrimp, and the famous chocolate raspberry tamale. While operating Meadows Bar & Grill, the restaurant earned a Business of the Year award. Following his departure from self-employment, he landed a job at the Imus Ranch, where he proudly cooked for seriously ill children. While working at the ranch, he contributed many of his personal recipes to a Vegan cookbook that was published and sold across the country. Shortly after leaving the ranch, he was contacted by Howard Stern for an on-air interview regarding his time at the ranch. Ron was also featured on Page Six of the New York Post and Sunset Magazine for his culinary skills.
Ron, also known as "Double R," was a lover of animals. Most notably, though, he was an incredibly kind, generous, and caring brother, son, cousin, uncle, and friend. But above all else, he was a proud father and loved and cherished his son more than anything in the world.
He is survived by his son: Aries Romero and his mother Sylvia Palmer of Las Vegas, NM; mother: Marcella Hernandez of Las Vegas, NM; sisters: Jacque Ramirez of Rio Rancho, NM; Annette Martinez (Johnny) of Tecolote, NM; Roxanne Romero (Michael) of Rio Rancho; step-sister Leandra Bateman(Bill) of Albuquerque, NM; step-brother Trenton Apodaca (Crystal) of Edinburg, TX; Goddaughter: LillyAnna Martinez of Tecolote, NM; aunts and uncles: Elsie Sanchez and Antonia Lujan both of Albuquerque, NM; Benjie Vigil (Yvonne) of Ilfield, NM; Veronica Jaramillo (Robert) of Las Vegas, NM; Orlando Vigil of Perryton, TX; Carl Vigil (Yolanda) of Las Vegas, NM; Theresa Archuleta (Tommy) of Las Vegas, NM; Leroy, Orlando and Ralph Romero, Mary Amaro (Don), Vickki Torres (Mel), Susan Romero all of Pueblo, CO; Delfinia Jaramillo (Francisco) and Stella Romero both of Portland, OR; and Joan Romero of Albuquerque, NM. He also had numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.
A rosary service will be conducted on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at 7:00 pm, with the funeral service taking place on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at 9:00 am. Both services will be held at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Las Vegas, NM, and Father Rob Yaksich will be the Celebrant. Pallbearers will be the following Marcos Ramirez, Carlos Ramirez, Jonathan Martinez, Gene Lujan Jr., Aaron Archuleta, Jarvis Wilson, Daniel Gallegos and Leon Martinez. Honorary Bearers will be Francisco Gallegos, Vincente Gallegos, Antonio Gallegos, Ralph Gallegos, Adam Metcalf and Michael Nava. Cremation will take place after services.
Interment of cremains will be held Thursday, January 13, 2022 at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM at 3:00pm.
Arrangements are entrusted to, and in the care of, Rogers Mortuary, 600 Reynolds Avenue Las Vegas, NM (1-800-479-3511 or 505-425-35110). Please visit our website: www.rogersmortuarynm.com
To send a flower arrangement or to plant trees in memory of
Ronald Leroy Romero, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.