JOE PEDRO "PETE" LLAÑEZ, 87, entered eternal life on December 19, 2024, surrounded by his wife and loving family. "Pete," as he was affectionately known, was a lifelong resident of Anthony, New Mexico. Born to Jose and Corina Llañez in 1937, he was the oldest of five children.
Having grown up in the Bosque farming community, Pete developed a just and hard-working attitude that carried him through life. He attended Gadsden High School and later graduated from New Mexico State University where he studied Agronomy. He was the first of his family to attend college and he instilled a passion for knowledge and growth to all of his children and grandchildren.
Pete would go on to work for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture for 33 years working in the weights and measures division. His work took him all over the state of New Mexico and he was infatuated with the traveling nature of his job. His career culminated when he retired as Bureau Chief; it was one of his proudest achievements.
His tenacity for entrepreneurship was his hallmark talent as he started his own chile and spice company and ran it for over 50 years - Anthony Chile Products and later P & A Chile Products. What began as selling his father's homegrown chile out of the back of his truck, Pete's humble operation eventually grew into a household name in the Mesilla Valley and El Paso area. Pete's truck could be seen loaded with boxes of chile and spices driving from Las Cruces to El Paso with Pete at the wheel wearing his signature cowboy hat. His wife, children and grandchildren have all played a part in his business, always riding along to keep him company, to hear his stories, and to find his sales book that he often left behind at his delivery stops.
Tata, as he was known to his family, is survived by his wife Argelia; his children, Javier Llanez and Cecilia Leticia Llanez; five grandchildren, Isaac Carrejo (Bernadette), Adrian Llañez (Jennifer), Israel Carrejo, Anahi Llañez, and Aryanna Llañez; one great-grandson, Mathias Llañez; brother, Ricardo (Mary Helen); two sisters, Irma Valdespino, and Irene Sims. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jose Llañez and Corina Provencio Llañez; his brother, and sister-in-law, Luis, and Socorro Llañez and brother-in-law, Emilio Valdespino.
Family and friends will gather to celebrate Pete's life at Baca's Funeral Chapels on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at 300 E. Boutz Road, Las Cruces. Visitation will take place at 6 PM, the Holy Rosary will be recited at 7 PM.  The Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 10:30 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 5750 Doniphan Dr, El Paso, TX 79932.  Graveside service will follow, at Memory Gardens of the Valley, 4900 McNutt Road, Santa Teresa, NM 88008.
Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com