Tony Otero

Tony Swan Otero, 84, of Las Cruces, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 26, 2016, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was born December 27, 1931 in Corona, New Mexico to Paul Zamora Otero and Alice Swan Otero. They were ranchers on the Lovelace ranch in the Corona area. He and his brothers (Paul Jr and Johnny) and sisters (Geneva and Dora) were raised at the ranch and graduated from Corona High School. While in high school he met the love of his life, Katherine "Rena" Montoya. They got married on June 22, 1951 in Vaughn, NM where he also worked for the Santa Fe Railroad. Tony and Rena decided to move to Las Cruces and pursue employment at White Sands Proving Grounds (original name). Tony started his Fire Department career working as an operator, driver, lieutenant, captain, assistant fire chief at White Sands Missile Range (later renamed). He then transferred to Holloman AFB where he was also an assistant chief. Years later he returned back to White Sands Missile Range where he retired as the highest ranking Fire Chief in the United States. During these years he started and managed two Texaco service stations with Rena and his five boys. He would work there on his days off as a Firefighter while raising his sons working at the family owned business. After retiring from WSMR, he took off a year to enjoy his retirement but found he wanted to get back to work. He was then hired as the Dona Ana County Fire Marshall/Civil Preparedness Director. During this time he was also commissioned as a special deputy sheriff of Dona Ana County. After 10 years he retired and would travel and making visits to Farmington, N.M., where four of his five sons and their families live. Tony is survived by his wife Rena, his five sons: Tony (Susie), Robert (Beverly), David (Nancy), Paul and Sam. He has 10 grandchildren (Michael, Deanna, Miranda, Bobby (JoLynn), Tina, Jeremy, Cameron, Caulin (Gabriela), CyLinda and KayLa), and 13 great grandchildren (Austin, Quiahna, Kyle, Tyse, Legend, Taryn, Bobby, Wesley, Trae, Alexis, Bailey, Rhyley and Presley). He is also survived by two brothers: Paul Jr (Delfina) Albuquerque, Johnny (Debby) Albuquerque and one sister Geneva (Ernest) Tucson, and wonderful neighbors, friends and the family pet, Brownie. Tony was preceded in death by his mother (Alice) and father (Paul), sister Dora Jacobo (Manuel-surviving spouse) Albuquerque. Tony was a family man and provided well for his family. He enjoyed stock car racing, played the piano and accordion, gambling, going to garage sales, playing pool, and practicing the Catholic faith. A visitation is scheduled for Monday May 2, from 5pm - 7pm, with a Rosary to follow at 7pm on both to be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral, 1240 S. Espina in Las Cruces. The Funeral Liturgy is scheduled for 10am on Tuesday May 3, 2016 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral, 1240 S. Espina in Las Cruces. Rite of Committal will take place at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 5140 W. Picacho Avenue. There will be a reception immediately following the burial. This will be at Finley Hall at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cathedral. PDF Printable Version