Raul J. Sapien, 82, former Deming resident passed away Wednesday March 28, 2018 at Mountain View Regional Medical Center in Las Cruces.

Raul was born October 30, 1935 in El Paso, TX to Elvira Valenzuela and Fructuoso Sapien. He grew up in Deming and attended Deming schools. Shortly after graduation he joined the United States Air Force and served during the Korean conflict. His intention was to see the world and chose to keep seeing it as much of as he could following his time in the service. Raul was an avid golfer (5 handicap) who learned the sport during his days as a D-Pac employee. He moved away and worked for several national baking companies in California and Texas before retiring in Ruidoso, New Mexico. All will remember him for his humor and good-naturalness.

Survivors include a loving companion, Doris Wallace; sister, Mary Vásquez; nieces; Elva Vásquez Murillo (Bob), Delia Milo (Frank), Olga Soto (Pete) and Marta Carbajal (Rudy); nephews: Robert Vásquez (Debbie), Carlos C. Sapien Jr. (Zoila), Joe David Raigosa (Loraine), Carlos René Vásquez (Sonia), Diego Soto and Joseph Raigosa, among many more family members throughout Deming and Las Cruces.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Fructuoso and Elvira Sapien; wife, Sallie Raye Sapien and siblings, Carlos V. Sapien Sr. and Bertha Gonzales.

The family is grateful to the medical staff at Mountain View Regional Medical Center for the professional and caring attention given to him.

Visitation will begin at 4 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, April 3, 2018, at Baca's Funeral Chapel where a prayer vigil will be recited at 6 o'clock led by Suzanne Lundy. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning at Saint Ann's Catholic Church. Concluding services and interment with veteran honors will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. Father Manuel F. Ibarra, Pastor, officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Joe David and Joseph Raigosa, Pete Soto, Carlos René Vásquez, Luis Zaragosa, and Bob Murillo. Honorary Pallbearers listed are Frank Milo, Mike Zaragosa, and Robert Vásquez.