Joe Ray Vialpando

For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down—when we die and leave these bodies—we will have a home in heaven, an eternal bod made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long for the day when we will not be spirits without bodies, but we will put on new heavenly bodies like new clothing. Our dying bodies make us groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and have no dies at all. We want to slip into our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by everlasting life.

2 Corithians 5:1-4

Joe R. Vialpando, took his last breath peacefully Sunday, June 14, 2015, at 12:45 am, as his spouse and daughters kept vigil. He was born on Leap Day, February 29, 1920, making him 23 by this count, but officially 95 years old. Joe Raymond was born in Parkview, NM, to Maclovio Vialpando and Carolina Valdez. He grew up during the depression era with his sisters, Florence Valdez, Ophelia and Josephine Vialpando. He loved to go to the rodeos, dances, and was a great boxer. His nose and front tooth were impacted by his relentless pursuit for fairness and equality at home and abroad. He served in the Army as an infantrymen and a sharp shooter during World War II. While in the Pacific theater, he executed his duty with valor and distinction to return home to his loved ones along with his unit. He returned to marry his high school sweetheart, Cordelia Lister, in Durango, Colorado, 1945, under the Blue moon. He reenlisted in 1949 and traveled abroad to France with his family and Poupet, the family terrier. The family returned to the U.S. while Sgt. Vialpando continued his service abroad. Upon completion of his second enlistment, Joe settled in El Paso, Texas, in Sun Valley. Every 4th of July, he would return with his wife and family to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, to attend the local parade and strike his new dancing boots at the rodeo and dance. He’d visit his in-laws, The Listers, in Durango, Colorado, and pick cherries off the cherry tree into newspaper cones with his son Richard, and daughters Gail and Donna. He loved eating red, juicy cherries with his children and later his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His wife, Cordelia, unexpectedly died from surgery complications on July 7, 1967. He kept staring at the moon and eventually a star arrived, his second wife, Eustolia Ramirez. Joe married “Tola” in March of 1970 in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. They swayed to the mambo, cha, cha, cha, and slowed danced cheek- to -cheek to his favorite Mexican music with his “Amor.” They had three girls, Hope, Jacqueline Mary, and Denise Marie Vialpando. Joe constructed his new home and merged his two families in Anthony, New Mexico, where he dwelled for 43 years. In 1997, his star, “Tola” passed away from cancer. He lulled in the wind and enjoyed his trips in the desert and mountains. He met his third wife, Graciela Govea, dancing and eating out. They loved to go to the casino and racetrack to listen to the Mariachis and dance to the live band or DJ. Graciela and Joe were married for 11 years.

Joe Raymond Vialpando was preceded in death by his two daughters, Donna Rae Fiddie and Hope Esperanza Vialpando and his mother, Carolina Lattin, and Father, Maclovio Vialpando and Stepfather, Roy Lattin as well as his two sisters, Florence Madrid and Ophelia Chavez. When Joe was asked about his service in the military, he’d respond,” I have been in three Wars, WWII, Korean War and Vietnam war.” He’d continue to respond to questions for a few minutes about his duties. He loved to smile and talked to everyone.

He is recognized with the following awards:

Good Conduct Medal

American Defense Service Medal

American Campaign Medal

Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 bronze service star with arrowhead

World War II Victory Medal

Army Of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp

Honorable service Lapel Button WWII

Joe Raymond Vialpando, from Pagosa Springs, Colorado, had a full life filled with joy, tragedy and love. He never was ill and called everyone “FAT” if you did not exercise or take care yourself. Joe walked a lot and now his walking along with CHRIST, our Savior. WE will miss you and love you, Papa Pancho!

Released, but not Forgotten.

Survived by his: Wife, Graciela Vialpando, and sister, Josephine Gallegos Sanchez

Children: Richard Vialpando, Gail Gilley, Spouse, Jimmy D. Gilley, Jacqueline Strickland, Spouse Darry Strickland, Denise M. Vialpando , Spouse, Jaime Alonso Dominguez

Grandchildren:

Wanda Grant, Shane Vialpando, Paige Vialpando, Timothy Jones, Kevin Jones, Raymond Jones, Steven Jones, Jessica Felks, Jimmy A. Gilley, Kayla Murillo, Jonathan Murillo, Haley Murillo

Great Grandchildren:

Allen Hassim, Donna, Jordyn, Jamie, Jacob, Justin, Tiffany, Tony, Nicolas, Khristopher, Brandi, Aaron Jones, Zachary and Cayden Fiddie, Ryan Hoke, Alvis (AJ) Leitimon Hillman III, Darren Luke Hillman, Dequan Thomas, Braylon Gilley, Jamina Gilley, Jamaul Gilley

Funeral Services:

Vigil and Rosary Services:

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Anthony, New Mexico

Sunday, July 21, 2015—7:00 P.M.

Funeral Mass:

St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Anthony, New Mexico

Monday, July 22, 2015—11:00 A.M.

Officiating: Father Enrique Lopez

Rite of Committal:

Fort Bliss National Cemetery , El Paso, Texas

Pallbearers: Raymond Dale Jones , Darry Strickland, Allen Hassim Jones, Darren Luke Hillman, Jacob Jones, Jaime Dominguez, Alvis (AJ) Leitimon Hillman, III