John Paisano Jr.

John was born in the same home he lived in until the age of six, on the land purchased by his father from his father-in-law Santiago Cheromiah. The family later moved to Gallup where they lived in a housing complex called the Round House, provided by the Railroad who employed his father. He would go back to the Pueblo of Laguna in the summers to help his family raise sheep.

At the age of twelve, John Junior secured a job in Gallup with the local dairy, allowing him to play baseball and excel at sports. He later attended Gallup High School where he learned to play the saxophone, becoming so proficient that it earned him the honor of “First Chair.” He also played and lettered in baseball, basketball, track, and football where he earned so many medallions that he was labeled “The Christmas Tree” by his classmates. He became a recognized star running back for Gallup High School, prompting an invitation to play on the New Mexico High School All Star Football team, which is an honor few athletes achieve. He Graduated High School in 1952 and received an athletic scholarship to Northern Arizona University to play football where he started for the basketball team before he could play football because he was drafted into the Army. John served in the Army during the Korean War where he continued to display exceptional athletic prowess in boot camp. He was honored by his commanding officer with the role of supporting the training of new recruits into a Cadre due to his God-given gifts.

After his military service he moved home to Laguna Pueblo to work for Anaconda Copper company. During that time, he began to date Lorease Romero, his wife of almost 70 years, who he married at the San Jose de la Laguna Mission Church on December 21, 1957. He raised four children with Lorease between homes they established in Gallup, Laguna, and Albuquerque, respectively. In those years he was regarded as a great hunter like his father because he always came home with game.

John became a draftsman for the Bureau of Indian Affair’s Southern Pueblos Agency where he decided to become a professional licensed land surveyor, which he achieved in 1972. He started his first company, Paisano Surveying Company, in 1975 and specialized in surveys for the 19 Pueblos, becoming well known for his specialty and skills. He adopted another company, Quest Network LLC, which started out as a drafting company and developed into a full-service surveying company. John oversaw both companies until recent years when he retired from the Paisano Surveying Company. He continued to oversee Quest Network and moved back to the Pueblo of Laguna, to the land where he was born, lived, and finally graduated to his new life with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.

John was survived by his wife Lorease Paisano; daughters Renee Paisano Trujillo, Natalie Saucedo, Wendi Rutherford; son John Paisano III; twenty-four grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters Grace Andrews and Jean Davis; and godsons John DeAngelis, Barry Paisano, and Ron Solimon. He was proceeded in death by John Paisano Sr. (father), Andrea Paisano (mother), Lyla Davis (eldest sister), and Ralph Paisano (eldest brother).

John Junior’s family requests your understanding during this time of grieving for our deep loss. Services will be private for the immediate family only. John’s burial wishes reflect how he lived, which was an unassuming life of authenticity and respectful relationship. If you wish to honor John Junior’s life, donate to a local youth sports program and support young developing athletes.