Community comes together after La Nueva Casita server 'Rooster' dies in car crash

Meg Potter
Las Cruces Sun-News

LAS CRUCES - On what would have been Jose Luis Gurrola-Hernandez's 27th birthday, his coworkers at La Nueva Casita Cafe held a fundraiser to help his family pay for his funeral. 

Gurrola, known as “Rooster” to La Nueva Casita coworkers and customers, started working at the Mesquite Street restaurant when he was 16 years old and quickly became known for his smile and happy-go-lucky spirit. Originally hired as a dishwasher, owner Jaime Salazar brought him on as a server after witnessing his gift for charming customers. 

“I look at him as one of my sons," Salazar said. "(The staff) looked at him as a brother.” 

When Gurrola first started at La Nueva Casita Cafe, his hair was styled in a large mohawk.

“When I would see him come in the door," Salazar said, "I would crow like a rooster and say, ‘Here comes the rooster!’” The nickname stuck.

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On April 16, Gurrola was involved in a serious car crash that resulted in him being ejected from the vehicle, friends said. He was admitted into the ICU at University Medical Center of El Paso and remained on life support until he passed on May 14.

Owner Jaime Salazar speaks to La Nueva Casita Cafe staff as they prepare enchilada plates for a fundraiser for Jose Luis Gurrola Hernandez on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. The restaurant held a fundraiser for Gurrola, also known as Rooster, after he passed away May 14 due to injuries sustained in an April car crash.

Gurrola is survived by his wife, Alma, and his four children, ranging in age from 10 to 1, as well as his parents and siblings.

News of Gurrola's death shocked the community. His La Nueva Casita coworker’s held a fundraiser May 24, Gurrola’s birthday, to help raise money for his family. The restaurant served red enchiladas to-go for $9 a plate. When they opened their doors that day, the community came in droves to show support. 

In a few hours, La Nueva Casita raised $7,964, which they donated to Gurrola’s family. 

“We’ve never brought in that much money in day,” Salazar said.

Rue Stone, who was friends with the Gurrola family, stopped by La Nueva Casita to help workers fill coolers with ice and cans of Coke for the fundraiser. He said he was “just devastated” when he heard the news of Gurrola's accident and his death a month later.

A donation box decorated with photos of Jose Luis Gurrola-Hernandez sits at the cashier's desk at La Nueva Casita Cafe on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. The restaurant held a fundraiser for Gurrola, also known as Rooster, after he passed away May 14 due to injuries sustained in an April car crash.

Stone said that in his 12-year friendship with Gurrola, the two bonded over professional football — Stone an Arizona Cardinals fan and Gurrola a Green Bay Packers fan. They placed lighthearted bets and even traveled to Phoenix twice to see the Cardinals and Packers play one another. 

According to an obituary, Gurrola was a talented car mechanic, handyman, singer and dancer — in addition to being a loving father and renowned server.

"You bet his children could ask him for a goat and the next thing you know, you’d find three in the back," the obituary stated. "Luis also loved his job as a server, he was so good at it which is why he earned his customers love."

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Amanda Telles, Gurrola sister-in-law, has started a GoFundMe to help alleviate funeral, medical and other expenses.

Those interested in helping can also visit La Nueva Casita, 195 N Mesquite St., and inquire about donating to the Rooster Fund.

A memorial service is scheduled for 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 27 at La Paz-Graham’s Funeral Home, 555 West Amador Ave.

Meg Potter can be reached at mpotter@lcsun-news.com or @MegPotterPhoto on Twitter.