David L. Tafoya

Our dad and grandfather, David L Tafoya entered eternal life on Monday, July 8, 2024. He is preceded in death by his parents, Gregorio and Cleotilde Tafoya, his beloved wife, Merly Rodarte Tafoya, his seven siblings, three sisters, Maria, Juanita, Margarita and his four brothers, Pablo, Jose Inez, Cornelio and Jose Orlando Tafoya, 2 sons, Daniel and Michael Tafoya, granddaughters, Amanda Tafoya, and Amelia Sanchez and other cherished family members. He is survived by his cherished older sister, Teresa Romero, (Mario), his sons David Tafoya Jr., (Nanette), Daniel Tafoya (Rachel) his daughters, Joyce Vaughan (Ronnie), Carmela Tafoya (Eric), Louise CdeBaca (Reuben), and Elena Tafoya. His grandchildren and great grandchildren, Davina, LeAndra, Nancy-Larissa, Wesley, Bradley, Alicia, Angela, Carolina, Maximiliano, Merly-Renae, Adrianna and Martina. Miguelito, Danielito, David-Xavier, Elijah, Tristanee, Larissa-Jane, Diego, Natalia, Emilio, Karla, Alivia and Elissha. He is survived by in-laws, nephews and nieces who loved him, treated him kindly and who will miss him. Our dad, David, (Spanish pronunciation as his wife our mother called him) was born March 28, 1935 and raised in his beloved town of Peñasco. He lived in Utah, as a young man, but his Peñasco always called him back. He graduated from Peñasco High School, where he was a star basketball player. Then went on to become Peñasco Panthers, basketball team’s, greatest fan. Our dad was an Enlisted PFC in the US Army and proud veteran of the Korean War. Our dad who was a military chef in the US Army brought home to our mother’s kitchen, his culinary skills and talent. Our dad worked and lived hard. He was employed for his culinary skills and talent at Peñasco Public Schools, cafeteria as head chef. He felled trees for Wright Tree Service. He was employed as foreman at the Mica Mine and at the Goldfields Mine, Cerrillos NM. 

He held to the very end, in his memory a cachet of cherished military and civilian life stories, which he shared with us at every opportunity. We loved, honored and cherished this man we called, dad, daddy, grandpa, lito, brother, Suegro and Tio for his generous, kind, love of life, hardworking spirit, his amazing feats his ability and endurance to survive life’s loses and tribulations. He amazed us in so many ways! He triumphed, lived fully and through it all at 89 he was still standing, living, loving his family, sharing his stories and even driving! 

On, what was a beautiful, Peñasco, Monday morning, God said, NO MORE DAVID, I’ve come to take you home!

David's children, their partners, his grandchildren, their partners and his great grandchildren will commemorate his life and death in a private Catholic service.

The family of David L. Tafoya has entrusted the care of their loved one to the caring staff of DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. www.devargastaos.com 1-866-657-4019