ANASTACIO "TACHO" MONTOYA passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, surrounded by his wife and family. Born December 9, 1935, in Glendale, Arizona, the oldest child of Ramon Montoya and Angelita A. Garcia, returning to San Pablo, NM shortly after Tacho was born. In his youth, Tacho developed a passion for agriculture, animals, and nature, which he continued to love for the rest of his life. After working as a Contracted Logistics Foreman at the White Sands Test Facility for over 25 years, Tacho then enjoyed life as he retired and purchased land with his wife, where they raised animals and built their dream together.  Tacho spent hours experimenting, learning, and building anything that he could. There was nothing he could not create or repair. From homes, handmade kachina dolls, to saddles, Tacho could do it all. His favorite saying was "primero hombre y despues maquina." He was an amazing craftsman, horseman, landscaper, and botanist, and throughout the years, as his hands grew tired, he still lovingly made jewelry for the people closest to him. Tacho's family loved his New Mexico "worldwide" trips, where he would drive up and down the state for the day, teaching them the history of the land as they ate sandwiches at random picnic tables across the state. They never knew what they would learn, from the culture to the insects, to the ground they walked on, Tacho knew everything and anything about the location of the day, creating memorable and exciting experiences for his loved ones. Tacho is survived by his devoted wife, Martha Montoya, ten children, Eddie Montoya (Sandy), Danny Montoya (Gloria), Irma Castaneda, Grace Martinez, James Montoya, Leticia Meuleman (Clemens), Diana Montoya, Armando Montoya, Deborah Salais (Alfonso), and Eliezer Berger (Paloma), 5 siblings, Cruzita Martinez, Luis Montoya, Margarita Montoya, Ysidro Montoya (Norma) and Alice Asher, 19 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.  As well as numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, and godchildren. Tacho was preceded in death by his parents Ramon and Angelita Montoya and one sister Barbara. We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to his medical team Dr. Hector Lerma, Dr. Deborah Thorne, Three Crosses Hospital Staff and Tender Care Home Health.   A Memorial Mass will begin at 10 AM Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at Our Lady of Health Catholic Church, 1178 N. Mesquite Street Las Cruces. NM We will forever carry your memory and laughter in our hearts. "I do not promise you happiness in this world, but in the next." – Our Lady of Lourdes. Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapel of Las Cruces and Sunset Crematory, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com