Arturo (Art) Cuellar, 67, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 30, 2018. Art was born on April 29, 1951 to Celia and Lazaro Cuellar. Upon completion from high school, he enlisted in the US Air Force and served during the Vietnam Conflict in Guam as an Airborne Firefighter. He achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant after serving four years in the Armed Services. Art returned to El Paso and married the love of his life, Patricia Jaquez Cuellar, in 1975. They had three children whom they loved with all their hearts. He served as a firefighter with the City of El Paso and with the Fort Bliss Fire Department for 16 years. Art would go on to have a long career with the Civil Service for over 30 years. After retiring from Civil Service, he devoted his energy in serving as a Labor Organizer and Business Representative with the International Union of Operating Engineers (Local 351) for 12 years.
Art’s most amazing attribute was his willingness to, and love of helping others. No matter the obstacle, Art always found a way to conquer it. He loved spending time with his family and friends and loved visiting new places and new casinos. His calm demeanor and genuineness made him a true friend and confidant to those who knew him best. Art was never at a loss of words and made it a point to meet new people and make new friends whenever the opportunity arose. He was a man of action who sought perfection in everything he did and strived to provide the very best for his family. Art has always been a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, son, brother, cousin, and friend to so many over the span of his beautiful life.
Arturo is preceded in death by his daughter Mary Elvira Cuellar. He is survived by his beautiful and loving wife, Patricia; brother Armando (Lorena) Cuellar; and sister Armida (Milton) Sanchez; sons, Lt. Commander Adrian (Yanira) Manuel Cuellar, MD (US Navy) and Alejandro (Heather) C. Cuellar, JD; grandchildren, Mateo Benjamin Cuellar, Amber Marylynn Cuellar, Miranda Biane Cuellar, and Alexander Mason Cuellar; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
