It is with great sadness that the family announces the passing of John A. Tator, age 76. John started his journey in upstate New York, where he spent much of his time hunting and fishing. In school, he was an athlete and a scholar. During the Vietnam War, John was a medic with the 101st infantry division and, although he did not talk about this time in his life, his role saved many lives and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. After the war, his journey led him down many paths: he worked in the medical field, was a roadie for the band NRBQ and eventually landed in Portales, N.M., at Eastern New Mexico University, where he met the love of his life, Diann Vasquez. Their adventures were full of laughter, 80-mile hikes in the wilderness, road trips, music and dreams of a family. After graduation, Diann and John moved to Chama, where he began his teaching career. They then moved to Dulce and then to Lumberton, N.M., where John continued teaching at Dulce Middle and High School. In his time at Dulce schools, he was a science teacher, coach, bus driver, union leader and school board member.
In his life, John had many roles: an outdoorsman, a decorated soldier, an educator, a farmer, a rancher, a husband, a father and a loving grandpa. He was passionate about equality and justice. He was loving, loyal and a hard worker. He found so much joy in the years following his retirement through traveling with his wife and by being a full-time Papa.
He is survived by his wife, Diann; his three children and their spouses, Ian (Kristen), Kyle (Lisa) and Nievecitas (Bill); his nine grandchildren; his brother, David; his sister, Lisabeth Downs; and many nieces and nephews. John Tator’s impact on his students, friends and family is his unique legacy. We love and miss you every day, Papa.
