John B. Abeyta, a life long rancher and farmer, passed away Feb. 4, 2017 at the age of 96.
He was born in Tiffany, Colorado on June 8, 1920 to Abel J. Abeyta and Margarita Valdez Abeyta. John worked on the family ranch and attended the Tiffany School House. He also worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps. When World War II came along he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1941, where he served as a combat medic. He was very proud to be a D-Day Veteran. He served until 1945 and was honorably discharged. On one of his furloughs, he met Isabel Barry and married her on January 29, 1946. From that union came four sons and a daughter.
He is survived by his sons: Gene (Suzanne), John L. (Doddie), Abie, and Preston (Angela) Abeyta; a daughter: Doreen Candeleria (Manuel); 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; sisters: Evelyn Carbajal, Lily Marquez, and Stella Lucero; numerous nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Isabel; sisters: Julia, Beatrice and Margie; brothers: Miguel, and Bonifacio.
Services will be held on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017; the Rosary will be recited and at 1 p.m. and Services at 2 p.m. at St. Peter-St. Rosa Catholic Church in Arboles, with burial to follow at Rosa Cemetery.