Gaspar M. Naranjo

Gaspar Max Naranjo was born on May 13, 1939 in Llano Quemado, Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico in the home of his maternal grandparents, Maximiano and Celina Graham Romero, to Gaspar O. and Vivian Romero Naranjo. His paternal grandparents were Reyes and Maria Encarnacion Naranjo, of Chimayo.

He died on December 22, 2021 in Santa Fe, New Mexico at the age of 82.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, and his brother Jessie Naranjo.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Elizabeth “Libby” Naranjo, his son, Reyes C Naranjo, wife Maureen Naranjo, granddaughter Megan Naranjo, and sister, Maria E Naranjo (Chonita), all of Santa Fe, NM, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, John and Susan Nuss of Dexter, MI. He is also survived by many cousins and friends.

He was raised in Santa Fe and Chimayo and graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1957.  Following high school, he served for 2 years in the U.S. Army where he proudly served as a surveyor in an Artillery Battalion.  Following his honorable discharge, he worked for his uncle, Harold Nelson, at Brocks Upholstery before opening his own business, King’s Upholstery which he operated from 1967 until 2003.

He was a lifelong member of Westminster Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe where he served as an Elder, a Sunday School teacher and the leader of a vibrant youth group. He was a friend to Pastor Facundo Benavidez and Templo Betel Asamblea De Dios. He was a friend to Rev. Alan Lutz of Georgia. He believed in and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. In the 1980’s he established his own Christian Lay Ministry, Moments of Meditation and Inspiration. Over the remaining years of his life, he led Bible Studies in his own home and the homes of friends.  He preached, played the guitar and sang in many small churches in Northern NM.  He offered many eulogies and officiated at many funeral services.  He led worship services at the Recovery of Alcoholics Program in Santa Fe, the State Penitentiary in Santa Fe as well as The Santa Fe County Detention Center.

He also led services at several Nursing Homes, most recently at Casa Real in Santa Fe.

For the past 31 years, he had a weekly Sunday morning radio worship service which aired on KSWV radio station in Santa Fe and for a few years on KDCE in Espanola. For many years, he offered a “Dial A Mediation And Prayer” opportunity over the telephone.

During many years of his life, he and his wife, son and mother, and granddaughter traveled the country in their RV, making many wonderful memories and spending time with family.

He learned to play the guitar when he was in his mid-forties and played and sang at many of his worship services.  He was also an accomplished wood carver, winning blue and red ribbons at the state fair and selling his carvings at several local galleries and shops.

First and foremost, he lived to serve the Lord and love and provide for his family.

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you” Ⅱ Corinthians, 13:11

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on January 27, 2022 at Rivera Family Funeral home “Kiva Chapel of Light” 417 East Rodeo Road Santa Fe, NM 87505. Burial to follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:30pm.

If desired memorial donations may be made to Santa Fe Fire Fighters Assoc., in care of Adam Lopez.