Joseph Abel Santillanes III, 41, was called home by our Lord on May 1, 2026. Joseph was born in Albuquerque, NM on November 22, 1984. He is survived by his father, Joseph (Jay) Santillanes and his wife Matejka Santillanes, and his mother Debra Trujillo Kennedy and husband Kent Kennedy, his sister Kimberly Taylor and husband John Taylor, niece Bryanna Taylor and nephew Austin Taylor, fiancée Barbie Maduro and her sons Canien and Ridge, that he loved as his own. He is also survived by his maternal grandmother Dominica Chaves, God Parents Max and Mona Torres, as well as many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins, too numerous to name, and many, many friends and co-workers. He was preceded in death by his grandfather Joe A. Santillanes and grandmother Josie Santillanes and maternal grandfather Candido Trujillo.

Joseph grew up in Socorro on the family ranch, riding and roping on his horse Snoopy, and working the ranch with Grandpa Joe and Dad starting at age 3. He graduated from Socorro High School where he was an outstanding basketball and baseball player, earning many honors. He attended NMSU for 3 years and became a Journeyman Electrician for Local IBEW 611, working many jobsites in several states. Joseph lived life to the fullest, he cherished spending time with his niece Bryanna and nephew Austin, who live in Oklahoma, he loved being with Canien and Ridge especially teaching them to play basketball and baseball, to throw, catch and shoot baskets. Joseph loved going to any MLB games, mainly the LA Dodgers.

Services for Joseph will be at San Miguel catholic church in Socorro, NM on May 21, 2026, starting at 10:30 with a rosary and funeral at 11:00 am, followed by internment at the Socorro Catholic cemetery. A reception will follow at the City of Socorro Convention Center, 1220 US Hwy 60, Socorro. Pallbearers for Joseph are Bryanna Taylor, Austin Taylor, John Taylor, Johnny Mann, Orlando Moraga Jr., Alex Beltran, Kevin Haley and Norman Aguilar. Honorary Pallbearers are Andre Tafoya, Frankie Chavez, Randy Mann, Max Torres III, Steven Jojola, Elias Jojola, Quentin Henderson, Naudia Henderson, Natalie Baca, Cory Jojola, Lincoln Aguilar, Canien Montano and Ridge Montano.