Pedro 'Peter' Vargas

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:3

Born June 28, 1949, our father, Pedro ‘Peter’ Vargas, peacefully went Home to be with our Lord on December 3, 2024.

Born and raised in San Marcos, TX, Peter followed his calling for adventure and service, enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1971. Peter proudly served for 20 years, including two tours during the Gulf War for Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, before retiring in July of 1991, having received numerous commendations throughout his career. Peter proudly shared stories of his many adventures all over the world in locations such as Spain, South Korea, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia; as well while raising his family on assignments in Italy, Germany and throughout the US. He loved to share anecdotes about his travels, those he met and served with, dining with local friends he made, and art and memorabilia he collected along the way. 

After retirement, Peter continued to be of service, teaching auto mechanics to teens at Job Corps, substitute teaching at local elementary schools, serving families in their time of mourning as a funeral service professional, and bringing children closer to God, serving as a catechism teacher at his local Catholic Church. 

Peter will be most remembered for his wonderful sense of humor. His daughters, grandchildren and extended family members are left with endless stories of pranks, tall tales, and jokes used to lighten spirits. He never met a server he did not try to make laugh nor a camera he would not make a silly face to. 

As his health declined, and during most of his last year of life, Peter moved to live near his daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in New Mexico. It was his greatest wish to see his grandchildren grow into adulthood and he savored his time with them. The feeling was mutual and the time, conversations and love shared was precious. Even as his health worsened, Peter never missed an opportunity to share (with anyone who would listen) his pride about his daughters who, in his words: ‘nourished’ him. Ever concerned for his ‘baby- Theresa Jean’, that she should be looked out for when she is sad about her dad; and that his grandchildren and ‘the babies’ are encouraged to pursue their dreams and never be afraid to seek their own adventures.

He leaves behind his daughters, Julie (Monica) and Theresa; grandchildren Isaac (Shae), Jordyn, and Mikayla; and great grandchildren Alice and Atlas. He also leaves behind numerous loved ones, family and friends in Texas, a number of whom held an extra special place in his heart for the compassionate care extended to him. Surrounded by love, and holding the hand of his first-born daughter, Peter left his earthly home to enter his eternal one, where he reunited with his parents Guadalupe and Marcos Vargas, and his brothers Marcos Jr. and Roy Vargas. 

A rosary will be held at 6pm on Friday, December 27, 2024, at DeVargas Funeral Home, where Peter’s daughters entrusted his care. 

While his spirit now resides in heaven, and his heart forever entwined with his girls and grandchildren, Peter’s body will later be laid to rest in San Marcos, TX. 

Julie, Theresa, and family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to DeVargas Funeral Home for the great care they have shown for their father/grandfather as well as to them during this difficult time.

They would also like to thank Kathy Gonzales for the kindness, patience, and care she showed as Peter’s caretaker. And also, a final thank you to the VA Hospice team, who treated Peter with the utmost dignity, compassion, and respect during his final days.

The family of Pedro ‘Peter’ Vargas has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral of the Espanola valley 505-747-7477