Paul Briones

Paul Briones, 60, passed away at home on March 26, 2025, surrounded by his family.

B. Paul Briones was born on March 14, 1965, in Farmington, NM, to Felix Briones, Jr. and Viola (Vi) Briones. He graduated from Farmington High School in 1983 and later attended Eastern New Mexico University before transferring to the University of New Mexico, where he earned a degree in Economics. While at UNM, Paul met the love of his life, Theresa (Terry) Medina, and they married in 1992. He went on to graduate from the UNM School of Law in 1995. Afterward, he and Terry moved to Farmington, where Paul began practicing law with his dad. There, they started a family and raised their five children: Francine, David, Monica, Anna, and Charles.

Paul brought joy to everything he did, quickly lighting up the room with his smile. He was a genuine person who poured himself into his family, work, and community.

In his work, Paul was committed to upholding the greatest integrity to serve his clients. He worked alongside his father for twenty-eight years and served for over ten years as a part-time United States Federal Magistrate Judge. Throughout his career, Paul has served on or chaired a number of boards and committees, including the Four Corners Foundation, the Farmington Boys and Girls Club, Citizen Police Advisory Committee, the New Mexico Bar Association, and the UNM Law School Alumni Association. He was a faithful Catholic and active as a parishioner at St. Mary’s Parish where he taught catechism, maintained a weekly mid-night Eucharistic adoration hour, and served on various parish and diocesan councils.

Despite his many accomplishments and involvements, when asked about what he did for a living, Paul would often reply wittily, “Raise kids, mostly.” Family was the center of Paul and Terry’s life. They frequently enjoyed long dinners at home, evening walks, family vacations, playing games, and cheering on the Lobos together. He was an active coach for his children’s sports teams, and attended every parent-teacher conference, doctor’s appointment, and school event. Paul and Terry also enjoyed taking regular trips and playing hours of pitch with Felix and Vi.

Paul had a wide array of passions, including singing and dancing, old western movies, musicals, finance and economics, playing tennis, golfing, reading novels, playing cards, making coffee, grilling, fly fishing and camping, discussing sports strategy, and a hot craps table. In addition, whatever interest the kids or Terry developed, Paul was quick to dive in, wanting to connect with each of them. Together, they read young adult novels, tied flies, went skiing and mountain biking, discussed pop culture, took music lessons, and gardened. Paul’s sense of humor, love of storytelling, and infectious laugh made every moment memorable.

Whether his client, tennis partner, or someone else in his everyday interactions, Paul had a way of being your friend, making you feel valued and loved. He took notice of the details and cared enough to share his thoughts and advice. His devotion, kindness, and wisdom have been an inspiration to all who were blessed to know him.

Paul is survived by his wife of thirty-two years, Terry Briones, and their five children, Francine, David, Monica (Miguel Sabol), Anna, and Charles Briones; his parents, Felix Briones, Jr. and Viola Briones; his four siblings, Felix Briones, III (Kathi), Giré Dragun (Michael), Thomas Briones (Stephanie), and Ramona Moseley (Mark); his in-laws, Norman Medina (Lorraine), Erna Medina, and Louie Medina; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. He is preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Ismael and Grace Medina.

A rosary will be held at 10:30 a.m. on April 12, 2025, at St. Mary’s Parish in Farmington, NM, followed by a funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Internment will take place immediately afterward at the St. Mary’s Resurrection Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Four Corners Foundation in Paul’s honor.

Honorary pallbearers include Felix Briones, III, Thomas Briones, Dr. Matthew deKay, Marnie Saiz, John deKay, Zachary Raichel, and Marcelino Bernardone.