Felix James Coca

Felix James Coca

Feb 5, 2025

Felix Coca, resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico passed away on February 5, 2025. 

Felix was born in Fruita, Colorado in 1924. His family moved to Aguilar, Colorado and later to Trinidad, Colorado. During his childhood, he spent many summers in Wagon Mound, NM with his grandmother and aunts. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1946. He attended Trinidad State College receiving a degree in Electronics.

Felix married Rose A Baca in 1946 in Trinidad, CO. moving to Santa Fe in 1947. Felix worked for Sears Roebuck & Co in the TV repair department. Some years later, he started his own business, Coca’s Radio and TV Repair. His shop was very well known throughout Northern New Mexico as well as Santa Fe. He remained in business until he retired in 1995.

 Felix was a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2951. He served as Commander of the Post, Department Commander, District Commander, State Commander and was honored for serving as Quartermaster for 23 yrs. He also served on various National Committees, spending many years lobbying in Washington for better care and benefits for Veterans. Today’s Vietnam Veterans and those following are reaping the benefits of his lobbying. He was honored for over six thousand volunteer hours by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Voluntary Service Program. He served many years as the Honor Guard Commander, where his Guard was called upon almost daily to perform a ceremony honoring fallen soldiers and deceased Veterans. His life was one of service. He is remembered with gratitude by many veterans statewide.

 Felix was preceded in death by his wife Rose Coca, his parents and 4 siblings and in-laws.

 He is survived by his daughters Evelyn Gonzales (Apolonio), Jean Bransford (Harold); grandchildren Michael Beltran (Jada), Brigida Trujillo, Zephaniah Gonzales, Rainbeau Gonzales (Chantalle), Michelle Bransford Jaramillo and Jonathan Bransford. Great-Grandchildren, Joseph Trujillo (Andrea), Aliyah Trujillo, Mia Gonzales, Alano Gonzales, Urijah Gonzales, Xavier Gonzales, Ashleigh Jaramillo, John Carlos Jaramillo and Inesza Bransford.

 Felix is also survived by his sister Josephine Ramo, nephew David Ramo, and countless nieces and nephews. 

 Felix touched the lives of all who knew him. Our family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the dedicated VA nurses and support team, staff of Interim Home Health Care, and Compassus Hospice for their compassionate care and support. A special thank you to Jessica for the loving care she gave our father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. 

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars to support their various programs that assist today’s veterans and their families.

Services for Felix Coca will be Thursday, Feb 13, 2025 at Rivera Family Funerals

417 East Rodeo Road Santa Fe, NM. 87505

 Viewing is @ 11:00 am.

Funeral Service @12:00 noon.

 National Cemetery @ 1:30 pm

 Reception at 3:00 pm. VFW Post 2951  307 Montezuma Ave. Santa Fe, NM