Frank Edmundo Coca Gusdorf

Frank Edmundo Coca Gusdorf , 86, a lifelong resident of Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico passed away surrounded by his family on Veteran's day November 11, 2022 a fitting day for a man of proud service to the Navy.

He is preceded in death by his parents Francisco and Maria Gusdorf, his siblings Eduardo "Lalo" (Luisa) Duran, Luis (Emma) Duran and Cordilia (Dub) Sahd and stepdaughter Jennifer Brandt.

Frank was a dedicated businessman in Taos as a broker, realtor, banker, property developer and manager.  He also dedicated time to helping the community as a member of the licensing board for the State of New Mexico, as the vice president for the democratic committee in Northern New Mexico and also served on the State of New Mexico Bilingual Board.  He was proud of his deep roots in Taos and treasured his land where he was often seen happily riding around on his tractor. 

Frank was a charismatic person who never met a stranger, greeted everyone with a smile and could light up a room upon his arrival.  He had a way to make one laugh with his humor or his multiple talents. He could turn your frown upside down. He enjoyed his sports as a baseball coach, Cowboy fan, basketball fan and avid golfer.  He was always up to the task of teaching you how to golf.  He loved to travel and took many trips to Europe and Mexico to discover the world, enjoying life by singing and dancing.  His time in the Navy was indelible in his memory as he reminisced about his time in Asia as a proud Korean Veteran.

The talent that Frank gave the world was his incredible singing, guitar playing and song writing along with his infectious smile and enchanting blue eyes.  He performed as a mariachi for years, recorded records and sang whenever life gave him a chance; on stage, family gatherings, restaurants, cruises, in the car or whenever he should have been doing some other task.  His magic with his lyrical compositions in Spanish was remarkable and he shared his gift by writing love songs and corridos and singing them for and to those he loved.  He was a consummate performer, and most people have a story about how they have been entertained and loved by Frank, Francisco, Pancho.  His family will always invite you to share such stories.  His life and memory are etched in our hearts and in our smiles forever.

He is survived by his wife Dorothy Velarde Gusdorf, children Michael (Andrea) Gusdorf, Yvonne (Klyte) Mills, Margaret (Paul) Ontiveros, Frank (Sandi) Gusdorf Jr., children's mother, Marian D. Gusdorf , stepchildren Timothea (Guillermo) Elizalde, John (Veronica) Velarde-Brandt, siblings Ted Gusdorf, Corrine (Chris) Mondragon and Edna (Jim) Carmichael, fourteen grandchildren, Tanya (Garrett), Andrea, Nicholas, Alex (Harrison), Klyte Jr., Alexis, Meghan, Daniel (Tristen), Gerson, Alejandra, Mateo (Oraleigh), Selena, Carmen, Daniela,  three great-grandchildren, Dean, Roosevelt, Cayman, sister-in-law Rebecca Trujillo and numerous nieces and nephews.

Serving the family as pallbearers are, Carmen Brandt, Alejandra Elizalde, Meghan Ontiveros, Kevin Gusdorf, Gerson Gusdorf, Daniel Ontiveros

 A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 4pm to 5pm in the Evergreen Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos.  Rosary will be recited on Friday, December 9, 2022 at 9:00am, followed by the Funeral Mass at 10:00am, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.  Burial will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:00pm. S

The family of Frank Edmundo Coca Gusdorf has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos.  www.devargastaos.com 1-866-657-4019