Jake Candelaria

Jake passed away Friday, October 24, 2014 at Cottonwood Inn and Rehabilitation Center in Durango, Colorado due to renal failure. He was 80 years old. Jake was born to Jake and Vivian (Gonzales) Candelaria June 1, 1934 in Arboles, Colorado. He was the second of nine children. His ancestors were some of the early settlers in the Arboles-Rosa area. Jake lived in the Ignacio area most of his life.
Jake graduated from Ignacio High School in 1953, received his BA degree in Education from Adams State College in Alamosa, Colorado in 1957, and his MA degree in School Administration from Western State College, Gunnison, Colorado in 1964. He had a life-time teaching certificate. After receiving several deferments because of attending college, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957. He served at Red Stone Arsenal in Alabama, where he worked on the development of the Sergeant missile, which required security clearance. Upon completion of military service, Jake worked as a logger, with his brother Dave, on Missionary Ridge in Durango, Colorado until he was offered a teaching position in mid-January 1960 at Ignacio High School. He taught English, Math, Health, Physical Education, Driver’s Education, coached football, wrestling, track, and developed the wrestling program. He also served as Assistant Principal in the high school as well as transportation director and retired in 1991 as Ignacio Junior High Principal after 31 years in education. Upon retirement, he served as Ignacio’s school board president from 1991 through 1995. In the early 1960’s he served on the SUCAP Board of Directors and on the Ignacio Head Start Board of Directors for approximately 10 years. Jake was also active in politics, serving on the La Plata County Republican Central Committee in the 1970’s and later as Chair of the Ignacio Town Board Committee in the 1990’s. In the early 1970’s and 1990’s he annexed land, sold lots and developed affordable housing which is known as Candelaria Heights in Ignacio. Jake also kept busy with ranching, farming, and raising cattle throughout his adult life.
Jake is survived by his wife Eileen (Duran) Candelaria, his partner and best friend whom he married in 1966. Also survived by his two sons, of Ignacio, Jake Gregory Candelaria (partner, Carlena James, grandchildren Jessica Candelaria Cundiff, Jacob and Julianna Candelaria, Chassity and Zachary James) and Robert David Candelaria (grandchildren Emma, Ethan and Annabella). He is also survived by the lone surviving sibling, Robert E. Candelaria, of Durango.
Upon his request, a private service will be held with immediate family members and close friends with the burial of his ashes at the Rosa Cemetery.
Donations made be made in his memory to the National Kidney Foundation www.kidney.org or to the National Heart Foundation www.theheartfoundation.org