Victor Joseph - age 16 - El Rito Villalpando

VICTOR JOSEPH VILLALPANDO, 16, a resident of El Rito, passed away on Sunday, June 8, 2014. He was preceded in death by his birth mother, Donna Villalpando; adoptive grandparents, Myron and Cecil Shure and Charles and Jane Shoemaker; maternal great-grandfather, Louis Martinez. Victor was a talented dancer and gymnast who touched the hearts of many in the valley through his teaching with Moving Arts Española. He was an inspired and inspiring artist. He poured his soul into whatever he was working on. He was a loving son, grandson and brother. He always had a smile and wanted to be everyone’s friend. Victor had been accepted to the New Mexico School for the Arts in Dance for Fall 2014. Victor is survived by his parents, Mary Shoemaker and Patty Shure of El Rito; maternal grandparents, Ben and Viola Villalpando; siblings, Jonah Shure, Christopher Shoemaker, Corrina Shoemaker Shure, Patrick Hagen Denne, Olivia Cervantes, Andrew and Ashley Villalpando, Victoria Montoya, Jasmine (Marie), Ruby (Renee) and Louis; special cousin, Ben Villalpando; special family members, John Denne and Lael Hagen, Luis and Beata Tsosie-Peña and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Public visitation will begin on Thursday, June 12, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel of DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematroy. Graveside service will be held on Friday, June 13, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the El Rito Community Cemetery, with a memorial service to follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Moving Arts Center in Ohkay Owingeh. The family of Victor Joseph Villalpando has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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