Proto Leyva, Jr.

Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 4th at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Proto Leyva, Jr. of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Leyva, 79, died Sunday April 30, 2017 at his home.

Burial will follow at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his grandsons and nephews Kyle Leyva, Ryan Zapata, Josh Valenzuela, Noel Rodriguez, Rodney Rodriguez, and Matthew Sedillo. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A vigil service will be cited, at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Grace. Visitation will be at Terpening & Son Mortuary Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Proto was born January 27, 1938 in Alpine, Texas to Proto Leyva and Manuela (Levario) Leyva.

He served his country in the United States Navy and after his service he was a long time Artesia resident.

On January 13, 1962 he was married to Cecilia Orosco in Artesia.

Proto was an Operator at Navajo Refinery for 15 years. He was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and enjoyed volunteering with the Boy's Scouts and their Pine Wood Derby. He loved all sports and played men's softball and basketball until he became disabled. He also enjoyed coaching girls softball.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his wife Cecilia of the family home; children Deannie Hernandez and husband Art of Artesia, Kathy Valenzuela and husband Javier of Artesia, Robert Leyva and wife Esperanza of Albuquerque, N.M., and Annalisa Zapata and husband Jerry of Odessa, Texas; sister Marie Gomez of Artesia; 10 grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.

Visitation

Terpening Son Mortuary
611 W. Grand Ave.
Artesia, NM  88210
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Service

Prayer Service

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
1111 N. Roselawn Ave
Artesia, NM  88210
Thursday, May 4, 2017
9:30 a.m.

Mass of Christian Burial

Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
1111 N. Roselawn Ave
Artesia, NM  88210
Thursday, May 4, 2017
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

Woodbine Cemetery
200 E. Hermosa Drive
Artesia, NM  88210