Victor Arias Sr.

Victor Arias, Sr., passed away peacefully in his home on June 4, 2024 at the age of 93. He was a member of that Golden generation that approached life with a sense of purpose, sacrifice and service. He was born and raised in El Paso, Texas to his mother Gregoria Arias and was brother to Margarita Arias (Alvarado). Always a dedicated son and brother, he was raised in a relatively poor neighborhood with a great work ethic and strong religious values. He would look to earn money as a shoeshine boy or by doing anything needed at a local grocery store. He went to Guardian Angel School and was always helping around (when he wasn’t in trouble), and where he eventually met his future wife, Lucy Tinajero. He learned to play trumpet, was a tough athlete, and went by the nickname of El Aleman (the German) given his fair skin and light hair. He went to Cathedral High School and started as a freshman on the Varsity team and played tackle and had many friends from “La Cate”. He did not graduate because in the middle of his junior year, he signed up for service in the US Navy and went to train at Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois and served in the SeaBees. He was also stationed at Port Hueneme, CA and then left after 2 years of service and with an honorable discharge. He returned to El Paso and found himself in the service of the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) with Fr. Rahm in South El Paso. He was in charge of the weightlifting program being an accomplished weightlifter himself.

Victor utilized his strong upper body and his training with the SeaBees to get a job as a switchman with the Southern Pacific. That job was a relished by many, and he became one of the first Mexican Americans in that role. He would have to work nights sometimes and was also sent on derailment sites throughout the system. At one point, he was inspecting some cars in the trainyard and did not hear a series of cars that had been pushed by an engine that hit him from behind into the next car. By the grace of God the locks were not open and he was crushed but not severed by the locks. He had the presence of mind to throw himself to the side away from the tracks as they bounced back and avoided getting run over as well. He recounted that while laying there with others calling emergency vehicles, he said the rosary and prayed to God for survival. At the time his oldest child was months old and he underwent surgeries in California while his wife Lucy was caring for the young son and also was pregnant with the eldest daughter. His muscular fitness helped keep many organs intact although some had to be reconstructed. He recuperated walking with a cane for a while and was then given full disability. He went back to trying to get himself physically fit and that’s what led him to take up running. His spirit of survival and dedication to God’s saving hand led him to become even more appreciative of his faith, his wife, family and his many friends.

He eventually utilized his abilities of building authentic friendships to become a successful pure-commission furniture salesman at Union Furniture, Welch Furniture and eventually Sears. While at Sears, he distinguished himself as a top furniture salesman for the entire store and also recognized as the top salesman nationwide.

While continuing his successful professional career, Victor continued his spirit of service volunteering continuously with many nonprofit organizations including the Downtown Lions Club, the Downtown YMCA, and the Knights of Columbus. Recently he was honored with a national award by Lions Club International entitled the Melvin Simon Fellow Award recognizing his many years of volunteerism. He also worked the floats for the Sun Carnival parades and could be seen marching as part of the parade. He was also an avid runner, member and respected officer of the Downtown YMCA. He could run for days and developed many lifelong friendships. Additionally he found time for his passion for golf at his country club, Ascarate Golf Course where his golf group played every Wednesday and sometimes at other courses in the area including courses in Cd. Juarez and New Mexico. In 1989, his son Victor Jr. took him on an unforgettable bucket list Fathers Day golf outing and played at Stanford Golf Course, Spanish Bay, Spyglass, and Pebble Beach. He also had two holes in one in his golf career.

As a husband, he was dedicated to his wife Lucy Tinajero Arias (passed away June 11, 2020), and they married on Nov 27, 1955 at San Xavier Church. They raised five children, Victor Arias, Jr (Sandy Endlich), Patsy Pinon (Al Pinon), Rosie Medina, Lucy Arias Ricketts (Mike), and Rita Gorman (Chris). Victor and Lucy were very involved with their children's schools in particular at St. Josephs, Cathedral and Jesus & Mary. Victor was in charge of the church ushers, the president of the school PTAs and member of the booster club among other roles. He and Lucy also participated in different choirs at St. Joseph’s and St. Pius. Being forever dedicated for his alma mater at Cathedral, he was also very active in the Alumni Choir, the alumni organization Los Que Van Quedando (LQVQ), and other activities. Despite dropping out of high school to join the service, he was honored as a member of the class of 1949 when he received his graduation diploma at the 50 year reunion of his class in 1999.

One organization that benefited from his spirit of service was the Knights of Columbus. He was a member and Lucy headed up the Ladies Auxiliary. Victor eventually became the Grand Knight, being a key figure in changing much of the direction of the volunteer activities of that Council leading to projects throughout El Paso and also in various parts of Mexico.

He was incredibly active even at home taking care of his beloved house and being Mr. Fixit (although his main tools were a hammer and gray duct tape). He took tremendous pride in his home where he spent the rest of his days even after the passing of Lucy in 2020.

Victor was a proud grandfather of 13 grandchildren: Victor E. Arias, Jacob Arias, Crista Arias, Alyssa Pinon, Cristina Pinon, Marissa Pinon, Vanessa Medina, Bob Medina, Lucy Ricketts, Mike Ricketts, Christopher Gorman, Adrian Gorman and Jacob Gorman) and great-grandfather of 5 great-grandchildren (Arthur Kronenberger, Victor Kronenberger, Joseph Kronenberger, Vito Arias and Marcus Arias).

Services/arrangements are scheduled as following:

Rosary on Thursday, June 27th at Hillcrest Funeral Home, 1060 North Carolina Drive with visitation 7pm and rosary at 8pm.

Funeral Mass on Friday, June 28th at St. Joseph Church, 3729 Hueco Street at 11am with blessing of Ashes, Navy funeral military honors, and burial to follow immediately after the mass at Mount Carmel Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Victor has requested for any remembrances and donations be made to either of the following: Cathedral High School Alumni Association (LQVA), Downtown Lions Club, St. Josephs Church.

The family is truly indebted to his caretakers primarily Carmen L and Elva F, Jennifer Lara RN and Marcos from Trinity Hospice of El Paso and to them we are forever grateful. Our true angels!!

We will always remember Dad by his infectious smile and his high energy. You will be missed AND always remembered Jefe! Adelante con la Cruz!!