Jose Gallegos

Jose Donato Gallegos, born August 16, 1940, to Roman and Florinda Gallegos in San Jose, NM passed away on November 23, 2022, in Santa Fe, NM.

Jose Donato, better known as Donut or Mr. G, is preceded in death by his parents, Roman and Florinda, siblings, Gabriel Gallegos, Annie Ortiz, and granddaughter Loreen Gallegos.

Donut is survived by his wife of 61 years, Priscilla Gallegos, children Roman Gallegos (Connie), Charles Gallegos (Katherine), Dolores Gallegos, Patrick Gallegos (Doris), Rose Bobchak (James), grandson he raised like a son, Marc CdeBaca (Martha), special granddaughter Melody Bobchak,  grandchildren Camille Martinez (Freddie), RJ Gallegos (Tiffany), Kristiana Gallegos (Derek), Naomi, Natasha Katko (Jesse), CJ Gallegos (Tina), Sandy Trujillo (Anthony), Max Gallegos, Clarice Ojinaga (Daniel), Gabrielle Gallegos (Alec), Nicholas Gallegos (Valeria), Zachary Bobchak, 14 great grandchildren, sisters Marianna Catanach, Patsy Hollis and Isabel Washburn.

Donut was born and lived in San Jose, moved with his family to Las Vegas before permanently living in Santa Fe.  Donut joined the United States Army in 1959 and proudly served his country overseas in Germany as a PV-2 Artillery Specialist.  He married his wife, Priscilla, on June 10, 1961. Donut worked as a paint & body man for years along with turning wrenches as a mechanic. He later drove as a teamster until he eventually opened his own auto repair shop.  He volunteered for his community as president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.  Donut had a work ethic like no other and there was never a task he wasn’t willing to take on.  Donut built his family home and passed on the trade of building to his sons, who eventually built their own homes.  Donut had a passion for the outdoors. He was a skilled rifle and bow hunter, fisherman, camper, an all-round outdoorsman who traveled the US. He ventured as far as Alaska, Mexico, and Canada.  His love for the outdoors influenced many people close to him. Donut, as a mentor to many, passed along words of wisdom while working on cars, building model planes as an active member of the Royal City Radio Control Club, building homes, or even while going to the mountains for loads of wood.  He was a self-taught master of many trades.  He passed on his hard work ethic and strong will to his children and grandchildren.  His impact left a legacy which will live on in his family and others forever.  

Thursday, December 8th, viewing will be at 6:00 pm and Rosary at 7:00 pm, at Rivera Family Funeral Home Kiva building.  The mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on December 9th, 10:30 am at San Isidro Catholic Parish Center.  Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 12:30 pm following the mass.   Pallbearers will be his grandsons RJ Gallegos, CJ Gallegos, Max Gallegos, Zach Bobchak, Nicholas Gallegos, and great grandson Jacob Katko. Honorary pallbearers Sandy Trujillo, Anthony Trujillo, Michael Trujillo, Jesse Katko, Lucas CdeBaca.