Ernie - Age 68 - Arroyo Seco - Judd

Ernie Judd, 68, a resident of Arroyo Seco, died peacefully in his home on Sunday, January 5, 2014, after a long battle with COPD.\r\nHe was born in Kalkaska, MI to the late Joseph and Isabelle Judd on April 20, 1945. When he was a child he moved to the Los Angeles, CA area with his mother and brother.\r\nIn 1966 he enlisted in the Navy. He served two tours in Vietnam. He began his career as a tugboat operator, once leading the Queen Mary into dry dock. He was quickly promoted to PT gunboat captain. The first time he was shot at in Vietnam he happened to be water skiing behind the gun boat- on one ski.\r\nHe was a master woodworker, a skill he learned from his grandfather. He made many beautiful and amazing things in his life, from doors to cabinets to full displays for trade shows.\r\nAn accomplished horseman, he rode his horse Sunny on endurance runs. For a time he owned a ranch in Agoura, CA. He spent some months in the northern California wilderness, days from civilization, with only Sunny and his dog Lakey. If you find yourself wandering in the mountains you may find the log cabin that he was building there.\r\nOn May 4, 1991, he married his last love, Neta. The family moved to New Mexico in August, 1992. He saw the potential in a corner lot in Arroyo Seco and created a lovely home. The neighbors called it “Ernie’s Park”.\r\nIn 2001, he was baptized in the Community of Christ Church, which brought him great peace.\r\nHe was the proud father to five sons, Ernie, Jr. of Anaheim, CA, Michael (Becky) of Phoenix, AZ, Joe (Kisha) of Arroyo Seco, Chris (Belen) of Downey, CA, and John of Santa Ana, CA. He loved being a grandfather to Maguire, Ian, Morgan, and Julianne.\r\nHe is reunited with his mother, Isabelle; his brother, Joe; his horses Sunny and Pappy; and dogs Lakey, Isabel, and Ugly Dog.\r\nServices for Ernie will be held Friday, January 17, 2014 at 12:30 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. A celebration of his life will follow at the Judd home, where those that knew and loved him are invited to come share memories.\r\nIn lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project in Ernie’s name. The family of Ernie Judd has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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