Eloy Jeantete Obituary, Death – We mourn the demise of Taos leader Eloy Jeantete. Taos Feeds Taos co-founder Jeantete, 95, died. Gus Cordova, Jeantete’s longtime town manager, said this morning that everyone respected the mayor. Cordova remembered visiting El Taoseo. Before seating down, the mayor shook hands with everyone, including excited visitors. Gus found a table.
Eloy, my sweetheart, always hugged and kissed me. My Jeantete photos follow. Several of these are from his pre-construction visit to the Taos County Veteran’s Cemetery. He and Mary, the first lady, attended Taos Fall Arts at Kachina Lodge.
He accepted a plaque for his board service in December 2020. These are his last photos. The National Guard distributes turkeys at Super Save on December 17, 2020.
Regards, Mr. Jeantete. Taos residents loved you. Funeral home obituary: On November 6, 2022, Eloy Antonio Jeantete, known as Dad, Grandpa, Tio, and Primo by his family and Eloy, Mr. Jeantete, and Mayor by Taos residents, died quietly in his home. Eloy was proud of his family, Taos, and his late wife Mary. Eloy married Mary Gonzales Jeantete on February 14, 1951. Married for 69 years, Mary died. They had Rosemary Gallegos, Catherine Aragon (Frank), and Stephen (dead) (Roberta) (Robert).
His grandchildren were Andres, Alejandro, Dominic, Angela, Sarah, Bernadette, Ruth, Theresa, Rebekah, and Stephen. Nine great-grandchildren. Taos’ La Loma neighborhood raised Eloy. He graduated from Taos High in 1946. He said he valued education and only rejected his mother when she requested him to stay home from school to help with his younger brothers. He rose to president and board chairman at the First State Bank of Taos (now U.S. Bank) after 46 years. County clerk and treasurer were his early jobs. Eloy was mayor from 1989 to 1994 after 16 years on the Taos Town Council. Up to his final months, he befriended and taught Taos history to every outsider he met.
If you’re from Taos, he undoubtedly discovered your family. Eloy participated in the Taos Fiesta Council, Kiwanis, Friends of the Taos Public Library, 35 years with Taos Feeds Taos, and the VFW as Senior Vice Commander. He attended graduations, marriages, funerals, and family and friend gatherings with Mary. Eloy earned the Taos Living Treasure Award, the ARC of New Mexico Public Official of the Year Award, the Kiwanian of the Year Award, the Governor’s Distinguished Public Service Award, and the Town of Taos Outstanding Leadership Award.
Eloy proudly served as a Sergeant First Class in the 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division, in Korea from 1951 to 1952.
He typed messages to the families of fallen troops and helped other soldiers write home. Eloy’s parents, Gabriel and Epifania Jeantete, son Stephen, wife Mary Gonzales Jeantete, siblings Feliberto, Gabriel (Pita), Uvaldo (Georgia), Helen Archuleta (Ernest), and Tomas Jeantete died before him (Cleo -living). His sisters Lucille Struck and Beatrice Mascareas (deceased) survive him (Meliton).
Taos and his family mourn Eloy. His work ethic, kindness, respect, and community service will encourage us all. Dad, good luck. Strong, Grandpa. Eloy—good luck. Fly knowing you affect everyone.
On Friday, November 18, 2022, after the rosary, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church will hold the funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. Las Cruces Cemetery has an afterlife. His feast at Saint Joseph’s Hall/Our Lady of Guadalupe will follow.
