JOSE ANTONIO "TONY" MADRID GALLEGOS, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother passed away peacefully Wednesday, May 6, 2026. He was born on November 18, 1936, in the small farming community of Garfield, New Mexico, to Jose Rivera Gallegos and Ramona Madrid Gallegos. He was the oldest of 5 children.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Maria (Mary) Estella Cordova Gallegos, 2 sons Tony J Gallegos, Robert Dennis Gallegos (Diana) and 1 daughter Dr. Christine Michelle Gallegos. His family was his pride and joy, and he especially loved his five grandchildren – Nicolette Cristina Gallegos, Joan Elaine Gallegos, Isaiah Robert Gallegos, Dominic Anthony Gallegos, and Mariah Maria Gallegos Hurtado and four great-grandchildren – Jaxon Nayo Hurtado, Huxley TJ Hurtado, Sylo Joe Hurtado, and Donte Isaac Gallegos. He is also survived by three sisters, Arsenia Gallegos Vega, Ramona "Hita" Gallegos Halsted, and Senaida Gallegos Collins, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jose Antonio "Tony" starred in football and basketball in high school. He had a record of 55 free throws in a row. He was instrumental as one of the first head coaches of the Bantam Weight Football league in Hatch, NM.

He worked at White Sands Missile Range for forty-five years as a photo optical equipment operator (tracker), with the National Range Directorates Optics Branch. The National Range Directorate's Optics Branch is legendary for its "Big Bertha" cameras and Kineto Tracking Mounts (KTMs) which he operated.

He traveled a hundred miles a day for decades to support many WSMR missile launch missions which required leaving Hatch around 3 A.M. Spending nearly half a century there makes you a primary keeper of the range's technical history.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jose R. Gallegos and Ramona Madrid Gallegos and one brother Robert Gallegos who passed at infancy.

Serving as casket bearers include Isaiah Robert Gallegos, Dominic Anthony Gallegos, Daniel Hurtado, Jaxon Nayo Hurtado, Huxley TJ Hurtado, Donte Isaac Gallegos and Leroy Madrid.

Honorary casket bearers include Gabriel Trujillo, Ruperto Legarreta, and Patrick Hoffman.

There will be a viewing for the public at 9:30 AM, Rosary at 10 AM, Mass at 10:30 AM Monday, May 18, 2026, at San Isidro Catholic Church 2003 Loma Parda in Garfield, NM. Interment and the Rite of Committal Rite will follow at the Garfield Cemetery From Las Cruces, take I-25 Ns, exit #51 to the left. Watch for the "Garfield Cemetery" sign & turn left. Paved road to the cemetery.

Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 300 E. Boutz Road, 527-2222. Your exclusive provider for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.com