Obituary of Francisco Gandara

Funeral services for Francisco Corral Gandara, 85, of Lovington will be held on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 10:00 am at St. Thomas Catholic Church with Father Samuel Ameh officiating, burial will follow at Lovington Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby-Ratliff Funeral Home. Francisco was born on April 20, 1935 in El Terrero, Durango, Mexico to Jose Corral Herrera and Soledad Gandara and passed away on August 7, 2020 in Lovington. Francisco has left behind family and friends who are a continuing reminder of his incredible presence and of his actions. Francisco left his home town at a young age looking for better opportunities and a better future. He arrived to Lovington where he met the woman that later became his partner for the rest of her life Guadalupe Moreno Alamillo with whom he married and created a family that mourns their death but that always honor them in each of their actions and memories. Francisco and Guadalupe later moved to California looking for better opportunities for their family however they decided to move back to Lovington since that was the place where they wanted to settle down. They stayed there for the rest of their lives and always looked to reunite with their family around them. The tenacity, honesty, and work ethic of Pancho and the intelligence, energy, and strength of Lupe made their marriage a solid home not only for their sons and daughters, but just as two beautiful trees, they extended their protective shadow for both of their families, they protected their nieces and nephews while they were looking for their own path. Thus, in a lot of places the memory of "El Tio Pancho" and "La Tia Lupe" remains alive. Pancho had an honorable job, a strong capacity and work ethic, intelligence, strength, energy, generosity, and love for those that were close to him, he left a strong legacy for several generations! The difference between being both born and to die for any human being is what they do during their journey. Francisco Corral Gandara had this peace when he died. He did anything that was on his hands to protect his own people and he extended his generosity to others. This attitude implies grandiosity, generates love, gratitude and is an example to follow. Rein peace Francisco Corral, your presence here is very strong. You have been, you are, and will always be in our lives and actions. He was preceded in death by his wife: Lupe Corral; his parents: Jose Corral Herrera and Soledad Gandara; brothers: Alfredo, Jose, and Willibaldo; sisters: Lilia and Angelina. He is survived by his sons: Francisco Corral Jr., and Martin Corral; daughters: Sylvia and husband Eddie Tafoya, Soledad and husband Salvador Aguirre, and Irma and husband Javier Espinoza; two brothers: Rafael Corral and Hector Corral; two sisters: Dora Corral and Hilda Corral; Grandchildren: Ignacio, Salvador, Jeanette, Jaena, Evany,, Francisco lll, Irene, Jessica, Jessenya, Noel, Emily, Javier Jr, and Amri; great-grandchildren: Jade, Paiten, Michael and Mason and one on the way Isaiah Ace Espinoza. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 1:00 pm until Rosary. Rosary is at 6:00 pm at Kirby-Ratliff Chapel.