Farmington - On Saturday, September 5th, 2021, John Never-Met-A-Stranger Velasquez, faithful Jehovah's Witness, loving husband, and father of four daughters, fell asleep in death at the age of 86.

John was born on April 2, 1935 in Taos, NM to Higino and Rebecca (Gallegos) Velasquez. He grew up in Cimarron, NM with his three brothers and one sister, playing basketball. He graduated high school in 1953. In his early 20's John worked at the sawmill camps as a supervisor of a large crew. Soon after he joined the army and served during the Korean War.

In Albuquerque, NM, on May 17th, 1963 John married his best friend Frances Cortez. John and Frances just celebrated 58 amazing years together.

Being the hard worker, dedicated husband, father, and provider he was always known to be, John was sought after by many employers. He worked for the city, selling life insurance, managing a liquor store and managing a gas station.

In 1968, Jerry Clayton invited John and Frances to move to Farmington, NM to help him open his business. John worked for Thriftway Oil for 29 years. John and Jerry became life-long friends, supporting each other through the years. He loved Farmington because he loved talking to everyone he knew in the community and he knew so very many of you. John was an avid fisherman and spent many days on Navajo Lake with his favorite nephew, Ruben Salazar.

When John wasn't fishing, you could find him with his sons-in-law (whom he loved as sons) cheering on the Dallas Cowboys (sorry Mike and Carl) and the New York Yankees, or cheering on his grandchildren at their various sporting events (always the loudest voice in the stands or sidelines), watching a Western with his grandsons, or having his favorite meal - huevos rancheros (no arroz!) with his wife.

He will be remembered most for his fierce love of his family, buying donuts for his grandbabies and great-grandbabies, hot black coffee, Charlie Pride and John Wayne, reading his paper, and knowing and talking to everyone in Farmington.

John came to know Jehovah God from his wife Frances and from many friends throughout the years and dedicated his life to Jehovah on April 6th,1986. As a baptized minister, John was known by everyone for his zealous preaching of God's Kingdom. And they will always remember his kind heart and his booming voice. John and Frances spent many days witnessing to this community in person and letter writing during the past year.

John loved being one of Jehovah's Witnesses and his love for all his brothers and sisters worldwide was genuine and motivating to all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

John is survived by his wife Frances and was a 100% proud girl dad to daughters Pam, Rosie, Tricia, and Mandi. He adored his sons-in-law Carl Croft, Michael Mestas, Bill Dean and Tony Lauro. And he was exceptionally proud of his 11 grandchildren - Chrissy, Daicia, Nick, Jon, Laura, Dylan, Sydney, Izzy, Nicholas, Miles, and Natalie, and his 6 great-grandchildren - Cassie, Scarlet, Parker, Elyjah, Milena, and Simeon

A virtual celebration of his long and wonderful life will be held Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 3:00pm MST.

In lieu of flowers please share your favorite stories for the family to read.