He was born on June 6,1932 in Ciudad Juarez ,Chihuahua, Mexico. He then moved to El Paso, Texas where he attended Bowie High School. Mecho joined the U.S. Army on August 17, 1949 at the age of only 17 years old. He was assigned to the 25th Division , A Company, 27th Infantry Regiment as a Private First Class rifleman and machine gunner. He fought and was wounded in The Korean War and was awarded The Purple Heart. He was Honorably discharged on September 1952. In 1953 he worked for the RailRoad at Southern Pacific Company. Later through the years he was self employed as a bar & restaurant owner. He was known as the owner of the T-Lounge on 1218 Texas Avenue. He bought farm land in Chamberino, NM which he loved to grow his own crops and have farm animals. He was a man of many traits. He was known to be a great handyman, businessman, cook, welder, and a farmer. He enjoyed singing along with a Trio or sing boleros and tangos. He also was known for his dry witted humor.
He was preceded in death by his parents Nemesio Gandara and Eloísa Montoya, Pedro Gandara (brother), Josefina Ponce(sister), Nemesio Gandara (brother), Irma Chavez(sister), Enrique Gandara(brother). He was survived by Norberto Gandara (son) , Rosalie Ayer (daughter), Lydia Sanders (daughter), Luis Felipe Ramirez (son), Jose Gandara (son), Roberto Gandara (son), Reyna Romero (daughter), Emma Del Valle (sister), Elvira Yanez (sister), Ruth Vasquez (sister), Arturo Carbajal (brother), Elvira Carbajal (sister) and numerous nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
A visitation for Nemesio will be held Thursday February 9, 2023 from 5PM-9PM at Funeraria Del Angel Evergreen East at 12400 Montana Avenue, El Paso, TX 79936. Rosary will begin at 7pm.
Funeral Mass will occur on Friday February 10, 2023 at 9AM at St. Stephen Deacon & Martyr Church located at 1700 George Dieter Dr. , El Paso, TX 79936. A committal service will follow after the Funeral Mass on Friday, February 10, 2023 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery at 5200 Fred Wilson Avenue, El Paso, TX 79906.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.evergreenfheast.com for the Gandara family.
