Member
Spotlight:
Jack & Stella Sierra
From the October 2004 Issue of Trail Tales
by: Joan Wolf
Let’s
start with some NM4W member trivia. Did you know Jack Sierra graduated from
Western New Mexico University in Spanish and Psychology, had an Army assignment
to drive officers around in a Jeep, and was fined by Sheriff Rector for having
too many nephews? Whereas the first two items may be little known facts, if
you’ve ever been at the Chile Challenge, you probably know about the crew of
nephews that show up every year.
Jack and Stella attended their first Jeep Jamboree in 1993 and joined the Sandia Jeep Club (SJC) soon after. The Sierras learned about the SJC from the late Michelle Reed. When the SJC “moved” to Santa Fe, the Sierras transferred to the NM4W, rather than commute to the meetings in Santa Fe. Stella says Jack has always liked four-wheeling, “He had a 1950 Chevy pickup that wasn’t 4WD but he treated it like it was.” Can’t you just picture a young Jack Sierra in a Chevy pickup exploring the rivers, desert, and mountains around Silver City?
Jack and Stella met in driver’s ed during their sophomore year at Silver High. They dated for five years before marrying and have been together 39 years! Jack got drafted soon after high school and spent two years in the Army. While stationed in Louisiana, Washington, and Texas, he drove tanks and then later, Jeeps. His first Jeep-driving experience was driving Army officers around in a military Jeep!
After the service, Jack rejoined Stella and their young son Rick in Silver. Jack was hired as a mechanic at the Sharon Steel copper mine where he worked 1000 ft. underground repairing loaders and other heavy equipment. It was dangerous work “and wasn’t for everybody” says Jack, but he didn’t mind the underground part. While working at the mine, he took classes at Western New Mexico University (WNMU) and graduated in Spanish and Psychology in 1980. He continued with school, working towards a Masters in Guidance and Counseling. Although just 32 hours short of his degree, other priorities came up. Jack says he may finish that degree some day. He also earned an Associates Degree in Automotives from WNMU and attended diesel mechanic school in Phoenix.
The Sharon Steel mine closed in 1983, but the Sierras hung onto small town life for a few more years. According to Jack, it’s harder to get in at UPS than the military, but in 1986 he was hired by UPS and the family moved to Albuquerque. He’s been with UPS for 17 years and works the night shift. Even though Jack can’t make the winter NM4W meetings because of his work schedule, Stella attends as many as possible.
Their children, Rick (now age 32) and Rose (27), both live in Albuquerque. Stella was a stay-at-home mom when the children were young. When they started school, Stella began work as a school bus driver. It must’ve been a good fit because she’s in her 22nd year of school bus driving. She drives special need’s students to one high school and two elementary schools in Rio Rancho. She really enjoys the kids and admits it’s hard not to get attached.
Jack was four-wheeling for many years before joining a club and he says it’s completely different. The club has allowed them to meet a lot of people and learn from others. Stella appreciates that NM4W is family oriented since “we’re always bringing kids, grandkids, or friends.” Their grandchildren Gabrielle, 8, and Angelo, 7, are fixtures on club runs. Gabrielle used to hate four-wheeling; “We’re not going out on the rocks are we?” she’d ask. But she really enjoyed the Summer Quarterly at Fairplay and has decided she likes four-wheeling after all. For Angelo, the tougher the trail the better. He’s already put dibs on Grandpa’s Jeep, but Grandpa tells him someday they’ll build him his own.
When not working on his/a nephew’s/or a friends’s vehicle (he’s helped Leroy, Mike, Tom, George, Todd, Rodney, and JR), Jack enjoys softball, baseball, and racquetball. Knee surgery two years ago ended his softball days, but he’s gradually resuming racquetball. He hopes to return to tournament play when the knee gets stronger. Stella enjoys plants, camping, fishing, and snow tubing. She had a blast as a kid tubing on Signal Peak, and today she and the grandkids love to go tubing in the Sandias.
Jack bought his 1977 CJ-5 brand new and it’s given him 270,000-plus miles of travel with only a cylinder head rebuild! The CJ sports an ARB locker in the front, Lockrite rear, solid axle conversion in the rear, 3.15 transfer case with 5-gear reduction, 3-1/2” lift, and 33” tires. His next project is to rebuild the rear end. The CJ still has the original engine, although he has a 4.3 Chevrolet motor in the garage that he cleans the cobwebs off of occasionally.
The Sierras’ favorite trails are in the Las Cruces area. Stella likes Patzcuarro’s Revenge because she was shocked when she first saw it and couldn’t believe they’d make it—but they did! Broad Canyon Hard is Jack’s favorite because it’s the only Cruces trail he hasn’t been strapped on. His least favorite trail is Tabasco Twister because he’s broken twice (once a locker and once an axle) at the very same big ledge. “I didn’t learn the first time,” he says. But after considering even those ill-fated trail experiences, Jack laughs, “All trails are fun even when you break.” On his wanna-try list are the Sledgehammers in California.
A new endeavor is helping Rick at his newly-purchased shop, the Old Town Gift Co. at 323 Romero NW in Old Town. Rick and his girlfriend Shawn are running the shop, but get help from family during busy times. Mom and Dad are supportive of Rick’s decision to pursue his goal of running his own business.
The Sierra’s are famous for their campground hospitality. You never go thirsty or hungry at their “Sierra Club”. Stella serves up wonderful burritos, enchiladas, and carne adovada, and Jack always has an ample supply of liquid refreshments. But the real reason folks gravitate to their camp is because it’s fun. Jack and Stella make everyone feel welcome and happy to be out four-wheeling with friends. And about those nephews, Uncle Jack claims he can’t help it that they all like four-wheeling and besides, the more the merrier!