Jose Daniel Ruben Abeyta

Jose Daniel Ruben Abeyta, resident of Santa Fe and formerly from Taos, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2024.

He was preceded in death by his loving son Ruben Alberto Abeyta; parents Flavio Abeyta, Sr. & Anita Cordova Abeyta; siblings Mary Abeyta, Elizabeth (Lisa) Martinez, Fred, Johnny, Eliodoro (Lolo), Joe Abeyta, and Billy Trujillo; son-in-law Joseph L. Alaniz; brothers-in-law Moises Maestas, Don Martinez and Leroy Martinez; sister-in-law Audrey Abeyta; and parents-in-law Robert M. & Flora H. Lujan. 

Ruben was born and raised in Costilla and Taos, NM. Ruben was the 4th child of 14 siblings. Growing up, Ruben would help his dad working in the fields picking potatoes, picking up bails and helped with the irrigation of fields. Ruben liked working at the family business The Silver Bar Saloon and loved boxing with his younger brother Pat. When the family moved to Taos, Ruben started working at different jobs, such as Holmes Chevron Gas Station, after that he began working with the Taos Municipal Schools as a Truant Officer, which sparked an interest in him, where he began a career in Law Enforcement. Ruben met and created a life-long friendship with Johnny Cordova. For many years Ruben was a Police Officer with the Taos Police Department, later he transitioned over to the Taos County Sheriff’s Department where he was the Under Sheriff for several years. In 1982 Ruben’s career took him to Santa Fe, where he was a Correctional Officer with the Department of Corrections (Santa Fe State Penitentiary). He commuted from Taos to Santa Fe for some time, until he decided to move to Santa Fe. During this time Ruben met the love of his life Nanette Lujan, and they married in 1998. Ruben loved to travel and one of his favorite vacations was when he and Nanette went to Graceland Memphis, Tennessee. Ruben enjoyed listening and dancing to country, western and Spanish music. In 2016 Ruben retired from his long career and was able to enjoy life stress free. 

Ruben is survived by his loving wife Nanette Lujan-Abeyta; daughters and sons Francina P. Cordova, Ruby Ann Alaniz (Michael), Daniel T. Abeyta, Cindy Olguin (Ezequiel), and Anthony Jaramillo; compadres Robert & Dorothy Montano, best friends and who he considered as a brother, Johnny & Esther Cordova; loving pet Patches; grandchildren, Kalina Cordova-Korn (Eric), Ashlie Abeyta (Amanda), William Cordova (Arlita), Samantha Sanchez (Jesse), Darin, Alejandro, Augustine Abeyta, Alyssa (Sara) Nevarez-Olguin, Iseah Olguin, Jayden and Joshua Jaramillo; great-grandchildren Jude and Jacob Sanchez, Aaden, Jonathan and Talluah Cordova; siblings Pat Abeyta (Linda), Ida McCabe, Roberta Martinez (Arturo), Stella Trujillo (James), Flavio Abeyta, Jr (Tommie), Eddie Abeyta (Cora) and Michelle Maestas; sisters-in-law Lupe Abeyta and Lorraine Abeyta; brothers and sisters-in-law Maxine & Phillip Gallegos, Jack Lujan, Barbara & Hank Perea and Roberta Lujan. 

Serving as Pallbearers are: Ruby Ann Alaniz, Daniel T. Abeyta, Robert Montano and Anthony Jaramillo.

Honorary Pallbearers are: all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Presbyterian Hospice, Kimberly and other Nursing Staff for the loving care they offered Ruben during his final time. 

Rosary will be recited on Friday, July 12, 2024 at 9:00am, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00am at San Francisco de Asís Catholic church, interment will follow at the Las Cruces Cemetery. 

The family of Jose Daniel Ruben Abeyta has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. 866-657-4019 www.devargastaos.com