Edward Blanco

Edward Blanco, 75, of Los Lunas, NM, passed away Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque, NM. Visitation will be 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Monday, April 21, 2014 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. A Vigil is scheduled for Monday, April 21, 2014, 7:00 PM at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel. Mass of Christian Funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2014, 10:00 AM, at San Jose Catholic Church with Father Valentine Jankowski officiating. Interment will follow in Santa Catarina Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Carlsbad Veterans Honor Guard will provide military honors. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Edward Blanco was born July 23, 1938 in Carlsbad, New Mexico to Frank Soto and Anastacia (Ruiz) Blanco. He loved farming at his grandpa's farm in Malaga as a young boy. Edward graduated from Carlsbad High School in 1958 and attended Highlands University on a football scholarship. He served his country in US Marine Corps as an air wing firefighter. He was stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, el Toro Air Base, and aboard the USS Enterprise. Edward was also on the Marine Corp Pacific Theater Football team in Okinawa Japan. Edward married Velia Briceno on April 31, 1966 in Carlsbad. He was a 3rd degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. Edward loved coaching several of his children and many of his grandchildren during their little league years. He lived in Mountain View, Green River and Rock Springs, Wyoming and retired from General Chemical Mine, Inc. Edward enjoyed being with his grandchildren, watching old westerns and his beloved sport of football. He was preceded in death by his parents; child, Jesus Maria; sister, Juana Blanco; grandparents, Guillermo and Flora Ruiz. Survivors are wife, Velia Blanco of Los Luna of NM; children: Leslie and husband, Eric Miller of The Woodlands, TX, Eli Blanco and Barbara Bobber of Grand Junction, CO, Millie and husband, Danny Krow of Belen, NM, Raul Blanco of Albuquerque, NM, Christopher Blanco of Albuquerque, NM; 11 grandchildren: Alexander, Matthew, Chloe, Jackson, Morgan, Emily, Magdalena, Nathan, Aria, Wyatt and Guillermo; sisters: Elizabeth "Betty" Blanco, Geralyn "Gerry" Agloro of San Francisco, CA; brother-in-law, Frank Briceno; sister-in-law, Vera Romero, Anna Briceno, Elva Bright and numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Alex Miller, Matt Miller, Alejandro Briceno, Raul Blanco, Eli Blanco and Eddie Martinez. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.