d. June 27, 2026

With heavy hearts and profound sadness, we announce the sudden passing of Jon Carlton “Carl” Gauna on June 27, 2026, in Questa, New Mexico. He lived in Albuquerque but his heart lived in Angel Fire, New Mexico and Salt Lake City, Utah. He leaves behind many cherished memories and unfulfilled plans to spend time with his family and friends.

Carl was born in Fort Sumner, New Mexico to Charlie and Ramona Gauna on May 16, 1970. Four years later he was joined by his sister Cecilia Denise Gauna-Wigelsworth (Joel). The small family was complete when his niece Theodita “Theo” Gauna-Wigelsworth was born in February 2015. When Theo was two, she had trouble pronouncing “Carl” and called him “Caco,” which he was known by ever since.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Eva and Isidro Cordova, his paternal grandmother Inez Gauna, uncle Tano Gauna, uncle Tony Gauna, and aunt Valeria Gonzales (Ermino).

He is survived by his parents, sister(brother-in-law), and niece; uncle Andy Cordova (Romie), uncle Joe Cordova (Esther), aunt Mary Ann Reichert (John), aunt Rosie Marino, uncle Lucio Gauna (Connie), aunt Carmel Hart, uncle Joe Gauna (Florinda), and many, many beloved cousins.