John Lee “Big John” Hisey passed away suddenly in Truth or Consequences, NM on May 7, 2018 at the age of 67. John was born in Norton, Kansas to Delilliah Maette Kessler and Vernon Eugene Hisey on February 25, 1951. 

Before becoming a resident of Sierra County, John was a long-time resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Beginning at the age twelve, John worked alongside his brother, Randy, and father, Vernon at their family owned business, A Real Muffler Shop, in North East Albuquerque. 

John was a graduate of Manzano High School class of 1969. He also attended New Mexico State University in Las Cruces where he pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry and Conservation Science. 

A life-long member of the United Methodist Church, John met the love of his life, Marcia Anne Sullivan, at the Wesley Foundation in Las Cruces in September of 1972. The two were married four years later in April of 1976. 

After thirty-two years with A Real Muffler, John stepped away from the family business to pursue a variety of careers. In the years that followed he worked as an exhaust specialist at Billy’s Automotive, dabbled as a Used Car Salesman for a number of years, worked as a Casino Cash Manager at Route 66 Casino, and finally found a home with U-Haul Company of New Mexico.  For ten years John worked as a jack-of-all-trades within the U-Haul company serving as an Area Field Manager, Hitch Pro, General Manager, and later a Transfer Driver. 

At the age of sixty-six John achieved his life-long dream of retiring to Elephant Butte, New Mexico (or as he loved to call it “God’s Country”.) 

Throughout his life John enjoyed the outdoors, he woke early every day to enjoy a cup of coffee while watching the sun rise.  John was blessed with many years spent, in the company of family and friends, boating and fishing on the lake, hunting in the mountains, and participating in a variety of sports including softball, sprint car racing, billiards and bowling. And, of course, his prized possession, his 100^th anniversary edition 2003 Harley Davidson Motorcycle. 

His beautiful life will forever be cherished by his loving wife of forty-two years, Marcia (Sullivan) Hisey; daughter, LeeAnn Gail (Hisey) Gatti and husband, Brian J Gatti, of Albuquerque; daughter, Jennifer Renee (Hisey) Souter and husband, Josh A. Souter, of Albuquerque; sister, Anita (Hisey) Vancil, of Anchorage, AK; and brother, Randy Hisey, of Aztec, NM; as well as, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Delilliah Maette (Kessler) Hisey and father, Vernon Eugene Hisey.