This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: marcenath Surnames: Johnson, Cervantes Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.newmexico.counties.donaana/4345/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Las Cruces Sun News 1 June 2010 HEZEKIAH "SMOKEY" T. JOHNSON, 87, of Las Cruces entered eternal life Sunday, May 23, 2010 at La Posada - Mesilla Valley Hospice. Smokey, as he was fondly known to family and friends, was born August 10, 1922 in Los Angeles, California to Thomas S. and Beatrice Cervantes Johnson. He served his country honorably in the United States Coast Guard during World War II and after his discharge from the US Coast Guard, Smokey relocated to Las Cruces. He retired as an aircraft mechanic with NASA and was a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Survivors include his loving wife, Delfina Johnson of the family home; six sons, Rick Fair of Los Angeles, California, Antonio Sanchez (Sara) of El Paso, Alfredo Sanchez (Estella) of Albuquerque, Mike Sanchez (Pauline) and Silver Sanchez both of Las Cruces and Felix Sanchez of Stockton, California; six daughters, Robyn Finn (Ian) of San Pedro, California, Angelina Contreras (Patricio) of El Paso, Katie Whitman of Calabasas, California, Pauline Chavez (Eddie), Spring Amendola (Bill) of Las Cruces and Peggy Sanchez of Dallas, Texas. Other survivors include numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Salvador Sanchez, one daughter, Victoria Donatelli and two sisters, Bea Giles and Natalia Johnson. Visitation for Smokey will begin at 6 PM, Friday, May 28, 2010 in Baca's Chapel of Prayer, 300 E. Boutz Road, where the Prayer Vigil is scheduled to begin at 7 PM. His funeral mass will be held at 10 AM, Saturday, May 29, 2010 in St. Albert the Great Newman Center, 2615 S. Solano Drive. The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow in San Albino Cemetery in Mesilla, where he will be laid to rest. Military Honors will be accorded by a US Coast Guard Honor Guard and El Perro Diablo - Marine Corps Division. Serving as casket bearers will be Adam Donatelli, Sal Sanchez, Jr., Javier Chavez, Tony Sanchez, Jr., Joseph Sanchez and Mike Sanchez. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made in his name to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 Montana Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88005 Entrusted to Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces. 527-2222 Exclusive providers for "Veteran's and Family Memorial Care." To send condolences online log onto www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.