John B. Mondragon
Remember

John B. Mondragon

  • January 10, 2012
  • Albuquerque, New Mexico
Share This Obituary
Resources

Send Flowers
Send Flowers

Send Flowers


Memories & Candles

“Dr. Mondragon holds a fond memory in my heart as Area Supt. in the Albuquerque Public Schools when I came to work for the district in 1986. His kind...Read More » ”
1 of 34 | Posted by: Cathy Cavin - Albuquerque, NM

“John was a kind and passionate man. He loved the children of New Mexico, always searching for ideas to better educate students facing challenges. ...Read More » ”
2 of 34 | Posted by: Dr. Charlie Steele - Pittsburgh , PA

“I just wanted to thank Dr. Mondragon for his many years of service to the children on NM. He often attended events at our school and was so...Read More » ”
3 of 34 | Posted by: Tanya Mauldin - Albuquerque, NM

“Dr. Mondragon was my professor at NMHU Rio Rancho. He was very knowledgeable on Educational leadership and was a great mentor. He remembered everyone...Read More » ”
4 of 34 | Posted by: Karen Perea Hanson - Rio Rancho, NM

“Dr. Mondragon is someone I admired greatly. I worked with him during his time with Albuquerque Public Schools. What I will remember most about him...Read More » ”
5 of 34 | Posted by: Debora Warren - Albuquerque, NM

“John was not only a dedicated educator but also an amazing colleague,mentor, and friend. Many afternoons we would sit in his office at UNM while he...Read More » ”
6 of 34 | Posted by: Joann Patton - Las Cruces, NM

“During the years I taught at Barcelona Elementary, Mr. Mondragon came to the school many times. Sometimes he was needed to help some school problem,...Read More » ”
7 of 34 | Posted by: Alice Wesner - Albuquerque, NM

“Mr. Mondragon's passing is truly sad news. He was my 6th grade teacher. He was a great teacher and mentor. He was the best teacher I ever had. ...Read More » ”
8 of 34 | Posted by: Rufina King - Artesia, NM

“Mary Ann and I have know John for over 27 years - he was one of the most dedicated educators I have had the pleasure to work with, starting with NM...Read More » ”
9 of 34 | Posted by: Jack and Mary Ann Jekowski

“For my Uncle. ”
10 of 34 | Posted by: Jamie Govekar - Albuquerque, NM

“John was one of New Mexico's finest and most compassionate educators in the archives of our history. He bestows his legacy of excellence in education...Read More » ”
11 of 34 | Posted by: Isabelle Medina Sandoval - NM

“I was deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my friend, mentor and teacher. I was a student and he was my advisor during my graduate program...Read More » ”
12 of 34 | Posted by: Mary Ann McCann - Taos, NM

“I first met John when I started with the NM Coalition of School Administrators. He immediately welcomed me to UNM and was always so down to earth...Read More » ”
13 of 34 | Posted by: Carol S. Wood - Los Lunas, NM

“Dear Family: I am heartbroken at the loss of my very dear friend, mentor and professor Dr. John Mondragon. I was privileged to know and learn from...Read More » ”
14 of 34 | Posted by: Justina Montoya - Belen, NM

“I am so very sorry to know that Dr. John Mondragon has passed away. He has touched the lives of so many people, including mine. His work reflects...Read More » ”
15 of 34 | Posted by: Mary Jean H. Lopez - Placitas, NM

“It's hard to believe that dear John is no longer with us. I keep looking for him, walking on the trail on Tramway. Every once in a while, I would ...Read More » ”
16 of 34 | Posted by: Gila Yaniv - Albuquerque, NM

“My condolences to the family of Mr. Mondragon. I was saddened to hear the news that "Uncle Johnny" had passed away. I had the honor of meeting Mr....Read More » ”
17 of 34 | Posted by: Michelle Romero - NM

“Our deepest condolences to Johns Family. I am blessed to have known John . I took Education Administration classes with Erinie Stapleton and John...Read More » ”
18 of 34 | Posted by: Michael Shepherd - Albuquerque, NM

“Our deepest sympathy goes to all of John's family. We didnt see him very often but he would check or call mom, Cecilia (Mondragon) Cruz, his 96 year...Read More » ”
19 of 34 | Posted by: Ida (Cruz) Spence - Las Vegas, NM

“Dr. Mondragon was a great professor and I was lucky enough to take his History of Education in New Mexico course during graduate school. He always...Read More » ”
20 of 34 | Posted by: G. Antonio Gonzales - Albuquerque, NM

“John was a long time member of our Kiwanis Club. He was an active mentor to our College Kiwanis organization at UNM. He will be missed. ”
21 of 34 | Posted by: bert benedick - albuquerque, NM

“We are so sorry for your loss! He was a great man and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this hard time. ...Read More » ”
22 of 34 | Posted by: Katie Mondragon - Las Vegas, NM

“My family and I would like to give our sincere condolences to your family for your loss. I got the pleasure to meet Dr. Mondragon at a family...Read More » ”
23 of 34 | Posted by: JoAnn Mondragon-Parson - NM

“Dr. Mondragon, I always enjoyed the stories you and Dr. Stapleton told us in our Leadership Ed. classes. I trusted your wisdom and appreciated your...Read More » ”
24 of 34 | Posted by: Rita Brockhoff - Albuquerque, NM

“Gracias a un Gran Maestro, Doctor y Amigo! Thank you Dr. Mondragon for the many gifts in education you have given to the state of New Mexico! You...Read More » ”
25 of 34 | Posted by: James Luján - Albuquerque, NM

“Excelente maestro y amigo por mas de 25 años. Siempre recordare su amistad, sonrisa y deseos de ayudar a sus estudiantes. Que Dios lo tenga en su...Read More » ”
26 of 34 | Posted by: Jose I. Perdomo - Albuquerque, NM

“John touched so many lives it would be difficult reflect on any given one. I know he touched mine on so many levels. He was my boss, co-worker,...Read More » ”
27 of 34 | Posted by: Carl Weingartner - Albuquerque, NM

“Prof. Mondragon, in all my years of schooling you were one of the most memorable professors. Throughout my career I have thought of you and the...Read More » ”
28 of 34 | Posted by: LeAnne Salazar - Espanola, NM

“I met John in 1971 when he was East Area Superintendent and I was teaching at Bellhaven Elementary.He became my good friend and mentor. John...Read More » ”
29 of 34 | Posted by: LaVonne Winther - Albuquerque

“I can't imagine the world of education in NM without John's smiling face and great wisdom! He was a man of faith whom I met often at the Newman...Read More » ”
30 of 34 | Posted by: Mary McLeod - Belen, NM

“I met John when I was a teacher at Sandia High School in 1972, while he was the Area Superintenedent of the East Area. My Principal, Pat Christman,...Read More » ”
31 of 34 | Posted by: Bettye Coffey Bobroff - NM

“Dr. Mondragon was a wonderfully inspirational man who was a fabulous professor. He will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your...Read More » ”
32 of 34 | Posted by: Michele Greenwood - Albuquerque, NM

“John was a dear friend and colleague who always supported those who had a passion for serving students in need! He always had a hug and a kind word...Read More » ”
33 of 34 | Posted by: Laura Sullivan Gallegos - NM

“On behalf of the French Family of Companies, we express our deepest condolences. ”
34 of 34 | Posted by: Joel Chavez


Send Flowers

John B. Mondragon, a longtime resident of Albuquerque died Tuesday, January 10, 2012. He is survived by his son, Thomas J. Mondragon of West Hollywood, California; daughter, Tina Johnston and her husband, Timothy Johnston of Abilene, Texas; and grandchildren, Brian and Beth Johnston. As the patriarch of the family he is also survived by nephews and nieces, Silverio, Louis, and Abel Paez, Mae Terry, Ishmael and Renee Mondragon, Adela Mondragon, Tony Cordova; sister-in-law, Crystal Mondragon; and many grand nephews and nieces. He was born in Holman, New Mexico on September 11, 1930. He served in the Army in 1950-53. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico and continued his education, earning his Doctorate in Secondary Education at University of New Mexico. John will be remembered and missed by many due to his distinguished service to the education community and to New Mexico's children and families. He helped shape the careers of hundreds of educators and served as mentor and advisor to many prominent New Mexico educational leaders. He freely shared his historical insights and political perspectives that helped shape the educational policies of today. He never entertained the thought of retiring but rather continued to contribute by teaching Educational Leadership Classes at the University of New Mexico and Highlands University. He was a much sought after educational consultant both in New Mexico and nationally. All of the recognitions and honors he received are too numerous to capture here. Most noteworthy was his induction in to the New Mexico Coalition of School Administrators Hall of Fame, election as President of the CNM Governing Board on which he served for six years. He was elected to the Association of Community College Trustees Board and appointed to the Western Region Diversity Committee. He was a valued member of the New Mexico Public Schools Capital Outlay Council. He helped found the New Mexico MESA which supports minority students to pursue their studies in engineering, math and science. He was a strong supporter of the National Hispanic Cultural Center and strongly advocated for Bilingual Education, The Indian Education Act, and the historic Hispanic Education Act. Until his last days he remained a student and a scholar continuing his research and writing. At the time of his death he was collaborating on a book on the Policies of Educational Reform in New Mexico and he had begun writing his memoir which his colleagues are committed to finish. His legacy and his heart print on New Mexico will sustain us. Rosary will be celebrated Friday, January 13, 2012, 7:00 p.m., at French - Lomas Chapel with Father Dan Davis reciting. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 14, 2012, 10:00 a.m., at Aquinas Newman Center, 1815 Las Lomas Road, N.E. with Father Dan Davis, celebrant. Donations can be made in his name to CNM Foundation, 525 Buena Vista, Albuquerque 87106, or APS Foundation, P.O. Box 25704, 87125.