Rey Serna

1944-2022

Rey Serna, 78, passed away peacefully at his home in Socorro, N.M., on July 22, 2022.

He was born in Alamogordo, N.M., on April 11, 1944, and he grew up in Ruidoso and Capitan, N.M.

After graduating high school, he joined the army, where he served for three years. Upon returning to New Mexico, he worked at White Sands Missile Range for 10 years before taking a job at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO), where he would retire after 33 years.

While living in Socorro, he met the love of his life, Maryetta, and they were married on April 2, 1967. They were blessed with two daughters and two grandsons.

Rey was an active servant in his community. He served on the board of directors at Midwest CAP Head Start for 34 years, was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Eagles, and in his retirement years, he volunteered his time preparing taxes for low-income families.

One of his favorite activities was being Santa Claus for so many children.

Rey was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Julie Andra Serna; father, Ray P. Serna; mother, Mary Gallegos; grandmother Julianita P. Serna; and sisters Patricia Peralta and Brenda Serna.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Maryetta Serna; his daughter Allegra Lujan (Isaac); grandsons Christopher and Aiden Gonzales; brothers, Lewis Serna (Terry Lopez), Fernando Serna (Gloria) and Bobby Serna (Audra); sisters Vera Gonzales (Jessie), Linda Gutierrez, Beatrice Sanchez (Anthony), Eva Lee Serna, Nancy Almeida (Johnny) and Norma Shephard (Craig); stepmother Eva Serna; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who considered him part of their families.

Rey gave unconditional love to almost everyone he met, and he was an honorable man who was always a man of his word. He would help anyone he thought needed his help. Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, brother-in-law and friend will be missed by us all.

A rosary will be held on Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, at 7 p.m., and the funeral will be on Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, at 10 a.m. Both services will be held at San Miguel Mission Church in Socorro, N.M.

Serving as pall bearers will be Alfred Sanchez, Logan Sanchez, Julian Serna, Monique Calderon, Evan Chavez, Vincent Chavez, Daniel Chavez, Veronica Ramirez and Felipe Baca. Honorary pall bearers are all the members of the Knights of Columbus and his grandsons Christopher and Aiden Gonzales.

El Defensor Chieftain