Arthur Velarde

Arthur Velarde, 102, Farwell Arthur, Arturo Velarde, Born in Velarde in 1912 to Virginia and Zacharias Velarde. One of eleven children, two brothers, Ambrose and Isidor, eight sisters, Bertha, Elvira, Ella, Aurora, Paula and Laura, all are in heaven. Marylou and Eloise are living. Arthur graduated from McCurdy high school in 1929, valedictorian of his class. He talks proudly about the school teachers and staff. During the depression Art hitch-hiked to Chicago and attended Coyne Electrical school. Today his is a 72 year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Arthur enlisted in the US Marine Corp and served our country in WW2, trained in San Diego, more training in New Zealand then battle in Guadal Canal and Iwo Jima. He was dis-embarking from a troop ship when he saw the Marines raise the flag in Mt. Suribachi. He was proud to be a marine. He came home and went to work as an electrician in Los Alamos, nose to the grindstone for many years. Arthur has been at Carefree Assisted Living for seven years under the close watch of his sister Eloise and husband John. He enjoyed his stay and the tender loving care given to him at the facility. At age 102 Arthur is an amazing person, little hard of hearing but still has a brain full of knowledge and a head full of hair. Loved by many nieces, great-nieces, great-great-nieces, nephews, great-nephews, great-great-nephews, cousins and many good friends. He loved Velarde, his Heaven. We love you Art and will miss you more then you will ever know. God Bless and peace be with you. Public visitation will begin on Monday, March 2, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Velarde, with a mass of Christian burial to be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Velarde, Gabriel Velarde, Earl Velarde, Armando Sanchez, Lonnie Copenland, George Alcaraz, honorary pallbearers named are Daniel Velarde and Lawrence Velarde. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Velarde. The family of Arthur Velarde has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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