Lionel De La Rosa, J.R., 75, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away June 11, 2010, surrounded by his family. He was born February 27, 1935, in Kingsville, Texas, the son of late Josefina and Lionel De La Rosa, Sr. He served in the U.S. Army as a Door Gunner and Recon in his two tours of duty in Vietnam in the 1960s and 70s with the 1st of the 9th Air Cav and retired from the U.S. Army after 20 years of service in 1973, he then was a bio medical technician, and retired in 2000. He is survived by his wife Lillie Ann De La Rosa who he dearly loved and cared for over 20 years. From his first marriage to Gloria Nevins, he is survived by his five children, Mary Lou O’Connell, Larry Nevins, Kathy Martinez, Daniel Nevins and Christina Griffin. From his second marriage to Brigitte Emmert, he is also survived by five children, Shonie De La Rosa, Tina Donner, Amanda Coleman, Michael De La Rosa and David De La Rosa. Lionel has thirty one grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. A visitation will begin at 10:00 am with services to begin at 11:00 am on Monday, June 14, 2010 at Phoenix Memorial Park & Mortuary 200 W. Beardsley Rd. Burial will take place at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 23029 North Cave Creek Road.
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