Paul "Pablo" Montoya

Paul “Pablo” Montoya, 62, of Clovis, New Mexico, passed away on Monday, August 24, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of love, family, service, recovery, forgiveness, and hope.

Pablo was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Theresa Montoya; brother Joe; nephew Reinaldo; and stepson Manuel.

He leaves behind his beloved wife Roxanne Montoya; daughter Barbarita Ussery (Kerry); grandchildren: Darius (Jaidyn), Isaiah, Jahliyah, Malachi Haywood; siblings: Michael Montoya (Karen); Dolores (sister-in-law); Anita Baca (Mac); Maria Navarrette; Celestina Blair; Peter Montoya; stepchildren: Belinda, Stephanie, Sabrina, Tomas; a host of nieces, nephews, extended family members, recovery brothers, sisters, sponsees, and friends.

Pablo was born on March 18, 1964, in Bangor, Maine, to Ernest and Theresa Montoya. His New Mexico roots carried him through Bosque and Belen before he ultimately made his home in Clovis. Pablo honorably served as a US Army National Guard Veteran.

At the center of Pablo’s life was his family.

His life’s love was his wife, Roxanne Montoya. Pablo and Roxanne shared the kind of love that was impossible to miss. Rarely would you see one without the other. They were partners, best friends, and soulmates who were meant to walk through this life together. Pablo did everything with Roxanne and for Roxanne. His love for Roxanne was constant, devoted, and unmistakable.

Pablo was immensely proud of his daughter, Barbarita “Bubbs” Ussery. Their bond was one of the greatest treasures of his life. Their story was one of restoration, healing, and forgiveness, a living example of what can be repaired when someone commits to doing the work. Their relationship became an important part of Pablo’s story and one of the many ways he carried a message of hope to others.

Pablo shared a special bond with his son-in-law, Kerry. Through countless projects, lunches, phone calls, and time spent together, their relationship grew into one of friendship, respect, and love. Pablo taught Kerry plenty about craftsmanship, but even more about life.

Then there were the people who knew him simply as grandpa.

Pablo adored his grandchildren, Darius, Isaiah, Jahliyah, and Malachi, and they adored their grandpa just as deeply. He was there cheering at football, basketball, and volleyball games, recitals, concerts, school functions, and even the school pickup line. He built things for them, painted projects with them, and always had a $20 bill to sneak in their pocket. Pablo showed up for the big moments and, perhaps even more importantly, all the ordinary ones in between. To know Pablo was to know about his daughter and grandchildren because he spoke of them with pride every chance he had.

Pablo also came from a family rich in culture, tradition, laughter, and love. His parents, Ernest and Theresa, created a family whose memories live on through countless photographs and hours of home videos capturing celebrations, everyday moments, and the stories that became part of the Montoya legacy. Pablo shared a unique bond and a lifetime of memories with his brothers and sisters, with a funny story connected to every one of them. He also held a special love for his nieces and nephews, each of whom had their own place in his heart.

Another defining part of Pablo’s life was his commitment to recovery and the 12-step program. A devoted member of Cocaine Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous, Pablo did not simply attend a program he lived one. Recovery became the foundation upon which he rebuilt his life and became the man so many came to know and love. As a sponsor, trusted friend, and servant, he carried a message of hope throughout the Southwest and South through meetings, hospitals and institutions, phone calls, and countless conversations with people who needed to be reminded that another way of life was possible.

His Cocaine Anonymous fellowship became his home, his safe place, and his recovery family, with his longtime sponsor, Mark, playing a significant role in both his recovery and his life. After moving to Arkansas, Pablo found another home within the AA fellowship and continued doing what came naturally to him connecting with people, serving others, and carrying the message. He believed in making amends and accepting people exactly where they were, and he had a rare gift for making others feel seen, understood, and never beyond hope. Pablo was patience, love, and tolerance in human form.

Pablo’s legacy lives in people.

It lives in a wife who knew the love of her soulmate; a daughter who knew without question how deeply she was loved; a son-in-law who gained a mentor, friend, and father; and four grandchildren who will forever know what it feels like to have a grandpa who showed up.

It lives in his brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and family who carry a lifetime of memories with them.

And it lives in the recovery community in the sponsees who will now sponsor someone else, the newcomer who was welcomed instead of judged, the relationships restored because someone learned to make amends, and every person who chooses hope because Pablo once reminded them that recovery was possible.

Pablo understood that people were more than the worst thing they had ever done. When someone was hurting, struggling, searching, or simply trying to figure out life, Pablo had a way of bringing the conversation back to one simple question:

“Have you been to a meeting?”

Because for Pablo, the 12 steps were never just about recovery. They taught him how to live.

And as he would remind anyone willing to listen:

“It’s a program for life.”

And what a life he lived.

A Celebration of Life honoring Pablo will be held Saturday, September 5, 2026. Condolence line will begin at 9:40 a.m. at Salazar Mortuary, located at 400 Third St. SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87102. Service will begin at 10:00 a.m. Reception and time of fellowship will follow from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 13, 1201 Legion Rd. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87102.