Agustin "Gus" Estrada, Sr.

Petty Officer RM1, Agustin “Gus” Estrada, USNR(RET) 87, of W. Irvin Street, Carlsbad, NM, passed away January 9, 2024, at Lakeview Christian Home. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 PM, Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at Denton-Wood Funeral Home.  A rosary will be recited at 9:30 AM, Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at San Jose Catholic Church followed by Liturgy Outside the Mass at 10:00 AM with Deacon Manny Chavez officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, NM. Denton-Wood Funeral Home oversees the arrangements.

Gus was born October 24, 1936, in Carlsbad, NM to Abrahn and Lila (Ortiz) Estrada.  He graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1955.  Gus married Evangelina “Vanjo” Leiba February 23, 1962, his one and only love.  He served his country in the U.S. Navy. Gus began work as a telegrapher with Western Union, where he was honored to cover President Kennedy’s visit to Holloman AFB/White Sands Missile Range and later covering President Johnson’s visit to El Paso for the Chamizal Treaty meeting. After Western Union, he was hired at Duval Potash, where he started as a clerk and retired as a shipping agent with IMC, after 30 years of service. Following active duty, Gus also served in the US Navy Reserves until retiring after 20 plus years of service.  During his military career, he served on several carriers and destroyers including the USS Enterprise.  Gus served his country with pride and loyalty.  He earned three gold crows, which he wore with honor. He also was awarded Srf Yoko Det 211 sailor of the year in 1982, ship repair facility in Yokosuka Japan, SRF Det 211 supervisor of the year in 1983 and sailor of the year FY 76-USNR, Gen Iru 1711in 1976.

Gus was a long-time member of San Jose Catholic Church where he served on the parish council.  He was Scoutmaster for Troop 54 at St. Edward Catholic Church, a member of Railroad Shippers Association, American Legion Post 7, where he was an award-winning historian. Gus was a man of faith, always putting God first in his life. He was a man of few words, but always expressed to his children the value of respecting each other in marriage, family and life. Gus Loved God, his family and friends and his country. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Deanna Theresa Estrada, granddaughter, Austine Marie Quintana, three sisters and one infant brother.

Survivors are his wife, Evangelina “Vanjo” Estrada; son, Agustin Estrada, Jr. and wife, Kasey; daughter, Monica Estrada and husband, Thomas Ball; son, Daniel F. Estrada and wife, Jennifer; grandchildren: Jamey Estrada, Julia Welch, Luke A. Estrada, Samuel Estrada, Evan Ball, Gabriel Ball, and Nathaniel Ball; great-grandchildren: Joshua, Uriah, Adien and Eric; sister, Lorena “Rena” Hernandez and husband, Mundo and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Mundo Hernandez, Cres Ortiz, Gavino Gonzalez, Luke Estrada, Evan Ball, and Taylor Rodriguez.  Honorary pallbearers are his grandchildren.