Tacho M. Melendez

Tacho M. Melendez, 82, of Chavez Street, Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at Landsun Homes surrounded by his family. Visitation will be 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM, Sunday, February 12, 2012 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. A Prayer Service is scheduled for Sunday, February 12, 2012, 7:00 PM at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services are scheduled for Monday, February 13, 2012, 11:00 AM, at Oasis Christian Fellowship with Pastor Albert Alvarez and Nathan Knight officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Tacho M. Melendez was born March 29, 1929 in Wichita Falls, Texas to Epigmenio and Carlotta (Martinez) Melendez. Tacho loved his family and cherished the time spent with them. After Tacho's salvation in 1977, he dedicated his life to serving Christ in the prison ministry and establishing and constructing churches in Mexico. As a man of God, he saw his mission as saving souls for Christ, reaching out to the downtrodden and homeless for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ. Because of Tacho, the world is now a better place. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elfida Galindo Melendez; three brothers and two sisters. Survivors are his son, Benjamin Melendez of Phoenix, AZ; daughter, Betty Calderon of Phoenix, AZ; two step-sons: Oscar Belis and wife, Tillie of Carlsbad, NM, Roberto Victor Belis and wife, Lisa of Austin, TX; step-daughter, Becky Ramirez and husband, Joe of Carlsbad, NM; sister, Augustina Renteria of Carlsbad, NM; 16 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Orlando "Lonnie" Ramirez, Michael Belis, Joe Ramirez, Jr., Christopher Belis, Gabriel Ramirez and Jason Waldram. The family is gathering at 611 West Chapman Road. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.