Demetrio O. Pacheco was born to Frank S. and Fulgencia E. Pacheco in Tucson, AZ. He died at the Norman Veterans Center. He fought a long hard fight against Alzheimers that robbed him of his beautiful mind.
He was the 4th oldest of 9 children. He attended school in Tucson, was an accomplished athlete and won many awards in track and was also played tennis. He joined the Air Force and was in Korea and worked as an aircraft mechanic during 1951-1953. He married Betty Gomez in Tucson, and had 3 children: Christina, Albert and Edward. During this time, he was an aircraft mechanic. He graduated from the University of Arizona. He was a computer programmer for 30 years. He had his own business for 10 of those years. After his divorce and closing his business, he was a consultant for IBM. In 1994, he was working in Kansas City, MO where he met Janalee Snyder. After a few years of mainly long-distance relationship, they were married in Norman, OK, as Janalee was transferred there to finish out her career with the Federal Government. Many happy years were spent in traveling to different states and even trips to Spain and Portugal. Demetrio enjoyed teaching English to Spanish speaking people at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and many friendships were born as a result of his labors. He also thoroughly enjoyed playing golf with his golfing buddy, Dale Campbell. Dale came to the Veterans Center for many months to visit him, until the time came when he slipped from Demetrio’s memory.
Demetrio was preceeded in death by his father and mother, sister Carman, brothers Ralph, Ramone, Frank and Albert. He is survived by his wife, Janalee, of the home, children Christina, Albert and wife Susan, and Edward, grandsons Allen & David, sisters, Consaulo Pacheco, Mary Ann Pacheco, and Mary Louise Vincello, stepchildren Sandra Snyder, Craig Snyder and Valerie Holman, and step-granddaughter Aubrey Snyder.
Sincere thanks is extended to the wonderful staff on the E-1 Unit at the Norman Veterans Center who took such wonderful care of him for 3 ½ years. Donations in his honor may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 603 Classen Boulevard, Norman, OK 73071, or to the Alzheimers Association.
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