Jerry John Mestas "Johnny"          4-12-1959 to 9-3-2021

It was the 3rd of September 2021…that day we'll always remember. That was the day that our daddy died.

Dad passed away suddenly on that Friday at the ripe age of 62. Although his wings were ready, our hearts were not. He will always be remembered for his larger than life personality, his strength and sarcasm, his loving heart, his generous and kind nature, and for his contagious laughter that affected us all.

Dad is survived by our mom, Bertha Martinez; his son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Victoria Mestas; daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Richard Mirabal; son-in-law, Brian Thompson; five grandchildren, Kylee Mestas-Chavez, Landon and Leland Thompson, Cassidy and Ryan Gettler; two god-sons, David Mestas and Jason Martinez; his siblings, Ida Ford, Kathy and Zeke Gonzales, Sonny and Gloria Mestas, Shirley and Wayne Woody, Joe and Jeannie Mestas, Patricia and Eloy Sena, Marleen and Ted Martinez, Colleen Benavidez-Mestas, and Mark Mestas and Tina; sister-in-law Marie Martinez; brothers-in-law, Jerry Martinez, Frederick Martinez, Ken Rey, Joseph Martinez, and Robert Martinez; along with many, many cousins, nephews, nieces, friends and neighbors who loved and will miss him.

We are comforted that he has now rejoiced with the Lord along with both of his parents Samuel and Louise Mestas, in-laws Tony and Josie Zamora; daughter, Yvonne Thompson; brother-in law, Ross Ford; nephew, Samuel Mestas and sisters-in law, JoAnne Mestas and Kathy Martinez.

Dad was not just a loving father, he was a longtime husband and friend to our mom, an awesome grandpa/Pompo to his grandkids, he was an energetic, free-spirited, caring, joker to all his siblings and inlaws, and he was the fun-loving, grizzly bear of an uncle to all his nieces and nephews, and a kindhearted, generous man to all his "Amigos." He was known to always be a helping hand to anyone who needed him. He was a ray of sunshine on a dark and cloudy day. He loved and lived life to the fullest. The love in his heart is what made him the strength in our family. He was a protector, he hurt when we hurt, he cried when we cried, and he fought for all of us when necessary. He taught us so very much in this life, the good and the bad, and he helped us to laugh about it all along the way. He treasured family and friends above all else and his memories will resonate within our hearts for a lifetime.

Our world has lost a precious soul with dad's passing. He brought so much into our lives that I'm not sure even he even realized. We won't forget, regret, nor take for granted our shared time with him on this earth. Dad was loved by everyone who knew him and he will be missed beyond measure.

In Loving Memory of Our Dad/Pompo. May he Rest In Peace and fly with the Angels.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 17, 2021 at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 1400 Arenal Rd. SW. Albuquerque, NM 87105. A viewing will take place beginning at 7:30am to 8:15am. The Rosary will be recited at 8:15am followed by the Mass of Christian Burial being celebrated at 9:00am. A private family interment will take place at a later date.