Tommy G. Rios Sr. entered eternal rest Monday, May 2, 2022 at Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was born July 6, 1953 in Santa Rita, NM to Jesus G. and Isabel Rios. He proudly served in the Army National Guard from 1972-1978. He worked at Mathis Lime Plant in Hanover over 10 years, Kennecott, White Sands, and Memorial Medical in Las Cruces. In 1955 he brought his family “home” to Silver City where he started his career as an Oxygen Technician at Gila Regional Medical Center until they closed the department. He then was recruited by “Lincare Home Oxygen” to open a local facility in Silver City working out of his home where he grew from 45 to over 350 patients throughtout the south west rural region, eventually opened a Lincare office. He cared deeply for his patients, provided each one with individual care and compassion until his retirement in 2017.
His pastimes were visiting his mother in-law, sharing storied from Santa Rita, and the good ole days. He loved listening to music and at one point along with his 85yr. dad became “Cookie the Star” DJ playing for senior citizen events, family celebrations, graduations, birthday parties. After his retirement he took on a hobby as a vendor at the flea market which then turned into (as he would say “our 401-K”). He enjoyed getting out and meeting new people and eventually building friendships both in Silver City and Deming Flea Markets. He looked forward to picking up his little darlings after school, treating them to pizza and ice cream treats. The highlight of his life was being Lt. Governors’ Howie Morales special guest at his inauguration and attending the Governors Ball, Grant County Prospectors during the legislator’s sessions.
Tommy was a dedicated and loving family man, instilled strong school and work values to his grandchildren and those close to him. He was a firm believer in getting to work on time, never called in sick and encouraging those he loved to get an education.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Anita (Nini) Rios, his son, Tommy G. Rios Jr. and his wife Florentina, grandchildren, Caroline Rios Portillo (Isiah); Gilbert Jesus Rios, mother in-law, Lupe Jones, sister in-law, Cynthia Jones, his brother Joe Rios, Special person, “Ramon Martinez” (Barbara) and Gloria Rios, nephews and nieces known as their “NONO” Armando Sapien (Connie); Andrew Lopez, Vanessa Cardenas (Jacinto); Sonia Carbajal, April Hernandez, Lisa Serna (Jaime); Stephanie Rojas (Ronnie); Rene Holguin (Juan) and Leticia Rios; great nephews and nieces, Brendan, Deziraye and Jordin Salgado, Jaelynn and Cinto Cardenas, Azelia, Salvador (Baby Sal) and Santiago (Santi) Quintana; Isaac Arizaga, Riley and Jemma Hernandez; along with numerous uncles and aunts. He was preceded in death by his parents, maternal grandparents, “Bardo and Juanita Juarez”, brother, Antonio Rios; sister in-law, Julie Martinez, Reyna Rios, and Brenda Carbajal.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 13th at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with the Holy Rosary to commence at 6pm with Lupe Flores reciting. The funeral mass will take place Saturday, May 14th at 10am at Santa Clara Catholic Church with Father Casmir Anozie officiating. He will be buried with full military honors following the services at Memory Lane Cemetery in Silver City. Pallbearers are Gilbert Rios, Ramon Martinez, Jose Bautista, Freddy Perez, Antonio Gonzales, Joe Rios, Armando Sapien, Andrew Lopez, and Baby Sal Quintana. Honorary: Cynthia Jones, Tommy Muñoz, Jaime Serna, Ronnie Rojas, Gilbert Rivera, Eddie Hausermann, Benny Silva, Anthony Morales, Jacinto Cardenas and “Lt. Governor Howie Morales”.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels.
His pastimes were visiting his mother in-law, sharing storied from Santa Rita, and the good ole days. He loved listening to music and at one point along with his 85yr. dad became “Cookie the Star” DJ playing for senior citizen events, family celebrations, graduations, birthday parties. After his retirement he took on a hobby as a vendor at the flea market which then turned into (as he would say “our 401-K”). He enjoyed getting out and meeting new people and eventually building friendships both in Silver City and Deming Flea Markets. He looked forward to picking up his little darlings after school, treating them to pizza and ice cream treats. The highlight of his life was being Lt. Governors’ Howie Morales special guest at his inauguration and attending the Governors Ball, Grant County Prospectors during the legislator’s sessions.
Tommy was a dedicated and loving family man, instilled strong school and work values to his grandchildren and those close to him. He was a firm believer in getting to work on time, never called in sick and encouraging those he loved to get an education.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Anita (Nini) Rios, his son, Tommy G. Rios Jr. and his wife Florentina, grandchildren, Caroline Rios Portillo (Isiah); Gilbert Jesus Rios, mother in-law, Lupe Jones, sister in-law, Cynthia Jones, his brother Joe Rios, Special person, “Ramon Martinez” (Barbara) and Gloria Rios, nephews and nieces known as their “NONO” Armando Sapien (Connie); Andrew Lopez, Vanessa Cardenas (Jacinto); Sonia Carbajal, April Hernandez, Lisa Serna (Jaime); Stephanie Rojas (Ronnie); Rene Holguin (Juan) and Leticia Rios; great nephews and nieces, Brendan, Deziraye and Jordin Salgado, Jaelynn and Cinto Cardenas, Azelia, Salvador (Baby Sal) and Santiago (Santi) Quintana; Isaac Arizaga, Riley and Jemma Hernandez; along with numerous uncles and aunts. He was preceded in death by his parents, maternal grandparents, “Bardo and Juanita Juarez”, brother, Antonio Rios; sister in-law, Julie Martinez, Reyna Rios, and Brenda Carbajal.
Visitation will be held Friday, May 13th at Terrazas Funeral Chapels with the Holy Rosary to commence at 6pm with Lupe Flores reciting. The funeral mass will take place Saturday, May 14th at 10am at Santa Clara Catholic Church with Father Casmir Anozie officiating. He will be buried with full military honors following the services at Memory Lane Cemetery in Silver City. Pallbearers are Gilbert Rios, Ramon Martinez, Jose Bautista, Freddy Perez, Antonio Gonzales, Joe Rios, Armando Sapien, Andrew Lopez, and Baby Sal Quintana. Honorary: Cynthia Jones, Tommy Muñoz, Jaime Serna, Ronnie Rojas, Gilbert Rivera, Eddie Hausermann, Benny Silva, Anthony Morales, Jacinto Cardenas and “Lt. Governor Howie Morales”.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels.
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