Steve Sumiyama Rangel

Deacon Steve Sumiyama Rangel, age 68, was called to eternal rest on September 3, 2025, following the sudden onset of aggressive pancreatic cancer. He passed peacefully at home in the presence of his devoted family.

Steve was born on January 5, 1957, in San Antonio, TX, to Leo and Karen Rangel. He and his older brother, Lou, and younger sister, Joan, were baptized and raised in the Catholic faith. Steve was proud of his father’s military service in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, which gave them the opportunity to live in many places besides San Antonio, including Japan, his mother’s native country, and Panama, full of adventure and fond childhood memories. The family eventually settled in El Paso, TX where Steve attended middle school and high school, graduating from Eastwood HS in 1976. He was athletic, participating in football, bowling, golf, and martial arts.

He married his high school sweetheart, Linda Cleveland on January 4, 1978. They were blessed with two daughters, Breanna, born in 1982, and Janessa, born in 1985. With a strong predisposition for sales and management, Steve built a career in the retail and service industries. Work brought the family to Albuquerque in 1993, where they remained and built a life rooted in faith, love, and service. Following the marriage of his daughter, Janessa, to Isachar Parra in 2014, Steve became a proud and doting grandfather to Elias in 2016 and Emilia in 2020.

Steve was ordained a Deacon for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe in 2003. He faithfully served the Catholic Church for 22 years at St. Jude Thaddeus, Jemez Pueblo, Zia Pueblo, Santa Ana Pueblo, and three small mission churches in the Jemez Valley, St. John Vianny and San Ysidro in Corrales. Additionally, he served as Director of Deacons, Pastoral Outreach Ministries Director, Chair of the National Association of Deacon Directors, member of the International Diaconate Centre, and the Associate Director of the New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops, representing the three NM Bishops at the State Legislative sessions. In his role as Deacon, he was always willing to offer his services for the marriages, baptisms, and funerals of family and friends, and lovingly served at his daughter’s wedding, both of his grandchildren’s baptisms, and most recently his grandson’s First Holy Communion.

Steve devoted his life to the service of others, both through his Diaconate ministry and community involvement, living his favorite Bible verse, Matthew 25:31-46, “…Amen, I say to you , whatever you did for these least brothers of mine, you did for me…”

He is preceded in death by his parents Leo Mendoza Rangel and Karen Sumiyama Rangel. He is survived by his wife Linda Cleveland Rangel, daughters Breanna Rangel and Janessa Parra (husband Isachar), grandchildren Elias and Emilia Parra, brother Louis Rangel (wife Laurie), sister Joan Ann Rolph, and many beloved extended family members and friends.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 6:00-7:00 PM, St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 5712 Paradise Blvd. NW, Albuquerque, NM. Recitation of the Rosary will begin at 7:00 PM. The Funeral Mass, officiated by Archbishop John Wester, will be celebrated at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at 2:30 pm, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 7999 Wyoming Blvd., Albuquerque, NM 87109. Reception will be held in the parish hall at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church following the interment.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Good Shepherd Center at https://gscnm.org in honor of a life well-lived in the service of those in need.

Ministries and Organizations in which Deacon Steve served:

1. Deacon-Archdiocese of Santa Fe, Former Director of Deacons and Formation

2. Associate Director-New Mexico Conference of Catholic Bishops

3. Past Chair, Life-Time Member-National Association of Deacon Directors

4. Member-International Diaconate Centre

5. Chaplain-Knights of Columbus Councils at St John Vianney and San Ysidro

6. Director of Liturgy Services, State Officer-Knights of Columbus

7. President of the Board- Good Shepherd Center

8. CO-Chair-Brother Mathias Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner

9. Coordinator-Blue Mass (First Responders)

10. Coordinator-Law Enforcement Torch Run for the NM Special Olympics Opening Ceremony, Summer Games.

11. Logistic Coordinator-Convoy of Hope Albuquerque

12. Chaplain-Sandoval Country Sheriff Department

13. Reserve Officer-Sandoval Country Sheriff Department

14. Chaplain-Rio Rancho Fire Department

15. Lay Leader-Coast Guard Auxiliary

16. Member of Catholic War Veterans, Wreaths Across America

17. Founder-Albuquerque Faith Leaders

18. Member-Hibernians, Pro-Life Committee

19. Oblate for the Handmaids of the Precious Blood, Cor Jesu Monastery

20. Oblate for OLOG Abbey, Certified Spiritual Director, Benedictine Monastery in Pecos, NM