Robert Aragon

Robert Aragon, 87, died Sunday, June 2, 2013, in Durango, Colo. Mr. Aragon was born January 10, 1926, in Cuba, N.M., the son of Edwardo and Aruelia Aragon, and one of nine children: Fancescita Aragon, Pablo Aragon, Pablita Lucero, Guadalupita Garcia, Sarafina Truijllo, Gorgornio, Rosenaldo, and Manuel Aragon. He attended Cuba schools through the 8th grade, and worked for his dad on the ranch herding sheep. He was drafted into U.S. Army in March 1944. He took basic training in Little Rock, Ark., and served as a telephone operator 309, 100th Infantry Division, Battery D 379 European African MiddleEastern Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and the Purple Heart. Robert was wounded in the right knee and foot at Phalsbourg, Germany, and was treated at a military hospital somewhere in France for 15 days. He returned to his unit and was honorably discharged at the convenience of the government in April 1946. He married Cecelia Atencio July 30, 1949, in Bernalillo, N.M. After the war, he returned to the family ranch for a while, then moved to Durango. He worked for Walter Hill on the dairy farm at Florida Mesa milking cows, irrigation feed crops. Then in 1973 started working at Fort Lewis College as a groundskeeper and retired from there in 1996. He worked part time for John Britton as a service attendant in the evenings and weekends. Robert was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle. He would give you the shirt off his back for which many took advantage of his kindness. He loved to fish with his grandsons and watch them play ball. He is survived by his wife Cecelia, sons Roberto Aragon of Phoenix, Ariz., and Roy Aragon of Durango, daughters Mandy Holgate of Durango, Mary DeGuelle (Roger) of Craig, Colo. and Bobbie McMurtry of Sundale, Calif. One son, Tomas, predeceased him in October, 1990. He is also survived by grandchildren Nicole Aragon, Olivia Aragon Davis (Nathan), Audrey Aragon Clinton (Aaron), Colby Aragon, Cody DeGuelle (Meghan), Tyrell DeGuelle, Travis Holgate, and Megan Aragon, and six great-grandchildren. A viewing will take place from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at Hood Mortuary Chapel. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2013, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, June 6, 2013, at 10:00 A.M. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Father Joseph Gallegos C.R. of Sacred Heart Catholic Church will be officiating. Burial will occur at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango.