Lino Mondragon

Lino E. Mondragon 95, of Des Montes passed away peacefully on Thursday April 30, 2020.

At the age of 18 he joined the U.S. Navy.  He was a dedicated World War II Veteran, stationed on the USS New Orleans CA-32 Heavy Cruiser in the Pacific Theater. After the service he attended barber school in Salt Lake City, Utah and returned home and became the owner of the M&M Barber Shop along with Albert Montoya. After his retirement in 1986 he continued to cut hair until he was 94 years old.

Lino will be greatly missed by many and remembered for his beautiful contagious smile, sense of humor, positive personality, and loving heart. He always had time to listen and share his wisdom.

His greatest passion was painting; he was a remarkable artist.  He captured the true colors of nature and was very generous donating for charities and giving of his art pieces.  On his birthday when he turned 90 he gave each family member a painting. His other passions were farming, fishing, carpentry, and inventing little gadgets that he could use around the house instead of purchasing a new item.  Nothing wasted.

He was a very devote Catholic and very faithful to his religion and lived his life by example.  He belonged to the Holy Name Society at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church where one of his beautiful paintings still hangs on the front altar retablo of Saint Teresa of Avila.  Lino and Stella also attended many Charismatic conferences and were Mayordomos for several churches throughout the years serving their faith.    He also belonged to the VFW, ARC, and a Board Member of the El Prado Water Association and Des Montes Water Association.  During his barber years in 1972 he attended college classes for his GED and Accounting.  He later used his knowledge to volunteer as a TAX Preparer for Senior Citizens. 

He is preceded in death by the love of his life Stella Romero Mondragon, his mother Sabina Mondragon, brother, Baloy Mondragon, sisters, Mabel (Augustine) Harmon, and Isabel Romero, his Son Andrew Mondragon, Great Granddaughter Alexandria Duran, Son in Law, Eddie Gonzales, Daughter in Law, Christine Jacquez Mondragon.  He is survived by his children Teresa Gonzales, Joseph Mondragon, Cecilia Mondragon, Robert Mondragon and Lori Ann Serrano (Hilario).  (12) Grandchildren, Matthew(Olivia), Kathy, Amanda, Kevin(Diane), Miquela(Alex), Robert (Melissa), Eric (Julia), Kristin, Lauren, Paul (Christine), Jeremy(Kimberly) and Zachary.  (21) Great Grandchildren, Ryan, Matthew Jr. Brianna, Marissa, Daniel, Thomas, Haley, Caitlin, Hunter, Kersha, Malaya, Kevin, Alexandria, Kira, Alessandra, Vicente, Derek, Lorenzo and 2 on the way.  (2) Great Great Grandchildren, Aubree, Axel and 1 on the way. He was an adopted Grandpa to numerous other and many other nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

The Mondragon family wishes to thank everyone for their phone calls, messages, sympathy cards and food that we have received during this difficult time.   A funeral mass and celebration of life will take place at a later date to be announced.    Lino’s final resting place will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery with his wife Stella.

  Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home, Taos.  To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com