8/13/2019 In Loving Memory of Teodoro Lujan: July 15, 1926-December 16, 2013

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Teodoro “Ted” Lujan was born on July 15, 1926, in Armijo, New Mexico, as the third child of seven of Benitoand Lola Romero-Lujan. Like all the other Ranchero boys from Armijo, Ted was a river rat and spent much of his

time in the bosque, hunting muskrat, quail and cooking there. He attended the old Armijo School and SacredHeart Catholic School.

 As a teenager, he met the love of his life, Dora Saiz, in 1943. Ted and Dora fell in love and rode a train with herparents to marry at Sacred Heart Church in El Paso, Texas, on February 7, 1945. The first of many indications oftheir love for each other occurred the very next day, as Ted was deployed overseas to the Pacific Theater, beginninghis defense of our country in World War II. A little more than three months later on May 8, 1945, or “VictoryEurope Day,” which signaled what was soon-to-be the end of the war, Ted was wounded in the Battle of Okinawa.Ted spent the next 10 months in hospitals across the world before finally reuniting with Dora, well over a year afterthey had married and last seen one another. He was later awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery and sacrifice.

Ted took a job at the railroad for the next 7 1/2 years and he and Dora had five children; Charlotte, Christine,Steve, Carolyn and Daniel. Ted and Dora built their adobe home after work over a one-year period and completedit September 1956.

In 1953, Ted began his career as a carrier at the U.S. Post Office after finishing “third from the top” on hisentry exam. Ted always took charge and was never one to sit around, so in addition to

his post office position, he also held odd jobs to help support his family and learn asmuch as he could. As he would tell you, if he didn’t know how to do something, he would find a way to educate himself. During the next three decades, Ted further builton his reputation as a tireless worker and honorable man, earning the nickname “ElCaballo” or “The Horse” from his co-workers. Upon his retirement in 1983, Ted hadmade many friends and earned the respect and love of many. The Post Office promptlycut his former route in two, since no one other person could handle it.

Ted was a jack-of-all-trades and kept busy after retirement. You could call him acarpenter, mechanic, electrician, cook, gardener, historian—you name it. No task

 was too daunting for him. Ted took pride in helping others and was never shy tostrike up a conversation with anyone. He was always punctual, often arriving

more than an hour early to his commitments and especially to church. Anavid reader, Ted always pushed the importance of reading and education. He

believed the newspaper was like a book that should “never be read out oforder.”

Ted was a loving, loyal and supporting husband who enjoyed spend-ing time with his children, his 14 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildrenand two great-great grandchildren. He loved the company of othersand never complained while making the best of every situation. Hehad the respect and admiration of countless people and knew howto relate to everyone. Ted was sharp as a tack and had an amazingmemory. He loved to tell stories, many times repeatedly, but was sogood at it; you always wanted to hear it again. He is loved by manyand will be missed. He is, and always will be, our hero.

JULY  15, 1926 -

DECEMBER  16, 2013

8/13/2019 In Loving Memory of Teodoro Lujan: July 15, 1926-December 16, 2013

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PRECEDED IN DEATH B Y Daughter Charlotte Maestas & Son Daniel Lujan

SURVIVED B Y Dora Saiz Lujan, wife of 68 years

Daughter Christine Pino & husband Louie

Son Steve Lujan

Daughter Carolyn Smith & husband Anthony 

Daughter Mary Lujan Ortiz & husband Victor

Son-In-Law Larry Maestas

GRANDCHILDREN

Mark, Edward, Gregory, Chris, Marie, Greg,

Michelle, Christa, Steve Jr., Mario, Monica, Elisa,

Ramona and Rudy 

GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN

 Adam, Gabby, Johnas, Janell, Joshua, Arianna, Jacob, Alexandria, Miranda, Teodoro, Evangelyn,

Estevan, Jasmine, Madison, Amelia, Mia, Abriella,

Baby Sipres, Alexander, Kristina, Christopher,

Isaac, Victoria, Mikey Austin and Amarena

GREAT-GREAT GRANDCHILDREN Janessa & Frankie Marie

BROTHERSGilbert Lujan and wife Diane

Ben Lujan

THE BENITO S AIZ F AMILY 

P ALLBEARERS

Mark Maestas • Edward Maestas • Mario LaraSteve Lujan Jr. • Rudy Lujan • Gregory Bevacqua

HONORARY  P ALLBEARERS Adam Cadena-Lopez • Sonny Saiz

SPECIAL R ECOGNITION All of Teddy’s Godchildren,

Compadres and Comadres

R EADERSMonica Lara

Marie EnciniasRamona Sipres

R OSARY R ECITED B Y 

CharlaSmith

Teddy’s life celebration will begin with a visitation

at 6:30 p.m., Sun., Dec. 22, 2013,followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m.

at St. Anne’s Catholic Church.Mass of the Resurrection will beheld at 9 a.m., Mon., Dec. 23, 2013

at St. Anne’s, followed by a gravesideservice at Mt. Calvary Cemetary.

Family and friends are invited to areception following services at the

Moose Lodge, 2121 Edith Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102

THE SERENITY  PRAYER God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;courage to change the things I can;and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;Taking, as He did, this sinful worldas it is, not as I would have it;Trusting that He will make all things rightif I surrender to His Will;That I may be reasonably happy in this lifeand supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next. Amen.

  --Reinhold Niebuhr