Theodore Abeyta Atencio

Arrangements under the direction oTheodore Abeyta Atencio (Ted), age 83, formerly a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, was welcomed into his eternal home with Our Heavenly Father on the evening of August 8, 2016 at his residence in Highland, California after a valiant battle with the debilitating disease of Alzheimer’s. Ted was born in Trinidad, Colorado on September 21, 1932 as the youngest of four children to Ida and Agapito Atencio. He lived in Walsenburg, Colorado until moving to California at the age of eleven. He began working a few years later and paid his own way to attend Loyola High School and Loyola University. He graduated in 1955 earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting and Finance. He married the love of his life, Irene, in 1958, and went on to raise four beautiful children. Ted was instrumental in the commencing of the credit card industry beginning with Richfield Oil, then on to Carte Blanche as Vice President at the young age of 29. His career continued with American Express moving him to New York City where he was Executive Vice President, Director of Credit. During his tenure with American Express he worked in New York, Mexico City, Phoenix, and Salt Lake. In 1983 he was recruited by Citibank to begin new operations in Las Vegas from where he retired in 1997. He served on the Board of Directors of Goodwill Industries, held the office of President of Legatus for two years where he initiated an annual dinner honoring all the priests in Las Vegas, was instrumental in the building of St. Joseph the Husband of Mary Catholic Church, and was a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. He worked with the Congressional Senate Awards in Nevada, where he achieved the honor of being in the Congressional Records of Washington DC. But more notably beyond Ted’s business and volunteer accomplishments, he was a faith filled husband and father, brother and uncle, who devoted his entire life to raising his family and guiding them not only physically and emotionally, but more importantly spiritually. His favorite saying was “Love One Another Constantly”. Throughout his life Ted lived each day AMDG, writing those letters on every piece of correspondence, every note he wrote. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, Ted lived each and every moment of his life for the Greater Glory of God. He gave constantly, he helped others constantly, and he loved others constantly. We will miss Ted’s sweet smile, his strong whistle which would bring his children and wife running, his songs the entire family would sing together, his walks with his children, and his daily calls to say he loves us. We will forever be grateful for the gift of his life. Ted was welcomed into Gods Heavenly Kingdom by many beloved family members, including his son Eric, his grandson John, his nephews Jerry and Jim, brother Pete and sister Connie. He is survived by, his big brother X, his cousin Frank and family, his loving wife Irene, daughter Gloria and son in law Bill, son Timothy and daughter in law Julie, son Patrick, daughter in laws Joni and Whitney, grandchildren Brett, Colleen, Matt, and Xavier, great granddaughter Kylie, nieces Tori, Judianne, Elouise, and Stacey, nephews Mike, John, and Joseph, great niece Maria, and many other great nieces and great nephews. May Ted continue to sing all his songs now with his dearly departed and the heavenly choir of angels and saints.

Friends and family are invited to attend a Requiem Mass that will be held at 12:30 pm on Saturday August 20th at the Chapel of the Risen Christ, Holy Cross, Culver City, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cleveland Clinic, Lou Ruvo Center, Las Vegas, Nevada.

f Holy Cross Mortuary, Culver City, CA.