sa国际传媒官网网页入口

BELEN 鈥� Casey Luna was a man of many talents. He was a shrewd and successful businessman and politician, a racing legend and a leader known for his substance and integrity.

Luna, who served as New Mexico's lieutenant governor from 1991 to 1995, died Tuesday of natural causes at 95. 

A funeral mass will be held Tuesday, June 23, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, with visitation from 9-10 a.m., Rosary at 10 a.m. and Mass at 10:30 a.m. A celebration of Casey鈥檚 life will follow at the Sheriff鈥檚 Posse building on the Valencia County Fair Grounds.

Luna's legacy, his family said, is not about the cars he sold or even the race cars he loved so much, but the love and support he gave to his family and community.

Casey and his wife, Beverly, were best friends and soulmates for more than 60 years. They did nearly everything together 鈥� from working side by side at Casey Luna Ford to raising their family and traveling the world.

"He depended on me, and I depended on him," Beverly said, her voice cracking. "We depended on each other. We were never apart."

Family and friends described Casey as someone who cared deeply about people, especially his family and community. He was always there when someone needed a helping hand and generously shared his time and wisdom.

Casey began his career after leaving the U.S. Army, taking a job at Frontier Ford. There, he met his future wife, who had purchased three cars from him before he worked up the courage to ask her out. After they married, the couple moved to Mountainair in 1971 and opened their own dealership.

In 1981, they moved to Rio Communities and opened Casey Luna Ford, a dealership he famously advertised with the slogan, "Dirt was cheaper in the country."

Beverly later opened her own dealership in Belen. She said it was the first time they had worked apart, although Casey still drove by every day, honked his horn and picked her up for lunch.

Casey built and drove stock cars, winning sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Speedway championships in 1956 and 1957. He also competed on the World of Outlaws circuit and attended the Jimmy Sills School of Open Wheel Racing.

Beginning in the 1980s, the Lunas owned and operated Ford engine-powered sprint cars in competitions across the country. Their famed No. 10 car won national championships in 1989 and 1996. In recognition of his impact on the sport, Casey was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2010.

His daughter, Debbie, said her father always found ways to get involved in the community. He served on the Mountainair Board of Education and participated in numerous clubs and organizations throughout Valencia County.

"He wanted to make a difference," she said. "And he did."

Drawn to politics, Casey entered the lieutenant governor's race in the 1980s. He lost but did not give up. He later ran alongside Gov. Bruce King and served four years as lieutenant governor.

Still, Casey wanted to do more. After learning the ins and outs of New Mexico politics, he set his sights on the governor's office. He ultimately lost the Democratic primary to King by 4,675 votes.

Although he never again held public office, Casey remained active in local, state and national politics. He supported candidates and causes he believed in and closely followed public affairs. Though he was a lifelong Democrat, his friend and biographer, Richard Melzer, said Casey was willing to support anyone he believed could get the job done.

Casey's grandson, Kenneth, who called him "Pepa," described him as humble and big-hearted.

"I admired him so much," Kenneth said. "He was the best example of what the Bible teaches. He loved people. He was too honest to be a politician."

"His legacy is his family," Debbie said. "He was a loving man, an honest man. He never quit."

"If there was ever an honest man, it was Casey Luna," his daughter, Sha, said.