Joe Robles Figueroa, a longtime resident of Safford, entered into eternal rest Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at his residence, with his loving wife, Virginia, and their family at his bedside. Joe was 82.
Joe was born November 17, 1934 to Adela Robles and Juan Usaraga Figueroa. He entered into the family of three brothers and two sisters. Joe was the baby of the family.
At the ripe old age of 4 years old, his father passed away. Joe's mother was left with no one to watch little Joe while she was at work. The owner of Shorty's Cafe put him to work, giving him little jobs here and there. After Joe would finish with all his chores, the boss would give him a plate of food as payment for his hard work.
At the age of 11 or 12 years old, Joe went to work at Michilina's Store in Solomon. He later worked at Carrasco's for a while and, when he was of age, he went to work at Safeway. Joe worked hard as usual and promptly became assistant manager.
He married the love of his life, Virginia, in March of 1956.
Joe decided he wanted to go into the military and enlisted in the National Guard. He went to Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista. Upon returning, Joe went to work at Long's Furniture store as a salesman and deliveryman. After working for some time at Long's he then went to work at Sears. He worked hard as usual, becoming assistant manager there, too. During this time, Joe became a certified embalmer and drove the ambulance for Roger David at Safford Funeral Home.
In the early 1970's, Joe was instrumental in helping start the current Graham County Search and Rescue Squad. In 1973, he obtained work, for a short time with Eastern Arizona College. Always looking to better himself, Joe gained employment with Phelps Dodge Copper Mining Corporation in Morenci. He had several jobs there, starting out on the truck crew before he moved up to the blasting crew. Joe ran heavy equipment for a short time, until he found his dream job. He stuck to his favorite job of driving haul trucks for the next 20 years or so. In 2000, Joe went to work driving the bus that took employees to and from work. At one time, he also drove a bus taking people on tours of the mine.
In retirement, Joe and Virginia began touring and visiting all the states. They went on cruises and visited Africa, Spain, Greece, the Holy Land an many other countries.
It is with a heavy heart we send you on your way to your eternal destiny. Until we meet again!
Joe is survived by: his wife of 63 years, Virginia; his son, Michael Figueroa (Brenda); his daughter, Elizabeth Figueroa (Randy Damron); his sister, Alicia Martinez; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; four stepchildren; and nine step grandchildren.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Adela and Juan; his brothers, Gilbert and Juan, a sister, Virginia; and a granddaughter, Christine Michelle Figueroa.
A Rosary for Joe was prayed Friday morning, July 28, 2017, at Vining Funeral Home's Chapel of the Valley by Deacon Carl Vessels. Military honors and presentation of the flag of the United States was conferred by Gila Valley Veterans Honor Guard Commander Steve Oller.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
www.eacourier.com/obituaries/joe-robles-figueroa/
Joe was born November 17, 1934 to Adela Robles and Juan Usaraga Figueroa. He entered into the family of three brothers and two sisters. Joe was the baby of the family.
At the ripe old age of 4 years old, his father passed away. Joe's mother was left with no one to watch little Joe while she was at work. The owner of Shorty's Cafe put him to work, giving him little jobs here and there. After Joe would finish with all his chores, the boss would give him a plate of food as payment for his hard work.
At the age of 11 or 12 years old, Joe went to work at Michilina's Store in Solomon. He later worked at Carrasco's for a while and, when he was of age, he went to work at Safeway. Joe worked hard as usual and promptly became assistant manager.
He married the love of his life, Virginia, in March of 1956.
Joe decided he wanted to go into the military and enlisted in the National Guard. He went to Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista. Upon returning, Joe went to work at Long's Furniture store as a salesman and deliveryman. After working for some time at Long's he then went to work at Sears. He worked hard as usual, becoming assistant manager there, too. During this time, Joe became a certified embalmer and drove the ambulance for Roger David at Safford Funeral Home.
In the early 1970's, Joe was instrumental in helping start the current Graham County Search and Rescue Squad. In 1973, he obtained work, for a short time with Eastern Arizona College. Always looking to better himself, Joe gained employment with Phelps Dodge Copper Mining Corporation in Morenci. He had several jobs there, starting out on the truck crew before he moved up to the blasting crew. Joe ran heavy equipment for a short time, until he found his dream job. He stuck to his favorite job of driving haul trucks for the next 20 years or so. In 2000, Joe went to work driving the bus that took employees to and from work. At one time, he also drove a bus taking people on tours of the mine.
In retirement, Joe and Virginia began touring and visiting all the states. They went on cruises and visited Africa, Spain, Greece, the Holy Land an many other countries.
It is with a heavy heart we send you on your way to your eternal destiny. Until we meet again!
Joe is survived by: his wife of 63 years, Virginia; his son, Michael Figueroa (Brenda); his daughter, Elizabeth Figueroa (Randy Damron); his sister, Alicia Martinez; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; four stepchildren; and nine step grandchildren.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Adela and Juan; his brothers, Gilbert and Juan, a sister, Virginia; and a granddaughter, Christine Michelle Figueroa.
A Rosary for Joe was prayed Friday morning, July 28, 2017, at Vining Funeral Home's Chapel of the Valley by Deacon Carl Vessels. Military honors and presentation of the flag of the United States was conferred by Gila Valley Veterans Honor Guard Commander Steve Oller.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
www.eacourier.com/obituaries/joe-robles-figueroa/
Joe Robles Figueroa, a longtime resident of Safford, entered into eternal rest Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at his residence, with his loving wife, Virginia, and their family at his bedside. Joe was 82.
Joe was born November 17, 1934 to Adela Robles and Juan Usaraga Figueroa. He entered into the family of three brothers and two sisters. Joe was the baby of the family.
At the ripe old age of 4 years old, his father passed away. Joe's mother was left with no one to watch little Joe while she was at work. The owner of Shorty's Cafe put him to work, giving him little jobs here and there. After Joe would finish with all his chores, the boss would give him a plate of food as payment for his hard work.
At the age of 11 or 12 years old, Joe went to work at Michilina's Store in Solomon. He later worked at Carrasco's for a while and, when he was of age, he went to work at Safeway. Joe worked hard as usual and promptly became assistant manager.
He married the love of his life, Virginia, in March of 1956.
Joe decided he wanted to go into the military and enlisted in the National Guard. He went to Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista. Upon returning, Joe went to work at Long's Furniture store as a salesman and deliveryman. After working for some time at Long's he then went to work at Sears. He worked hard as usual, becoming assistant manager there, too. During this time, Joe became a certified embalmer and drove the ambulance for Roger David at Safford Funeral Home.
In the early 1970's, Joe was instrumental in helping start the current Graham County Search and Rescue Squad. In 1973, he obtained work, for a short time with Eastern Arizona College. Always looking to better himself, Joe gained employment with Phelps Dodge Copper Mining Corporation in Morenci. He had several jobs there, starting out on the truck crew before he moved up to the blasting crew. Joe ran heavy equipment for a short time, until he found his dream job. He stuck to his favorite job of driving haul trucks for the next 20 years or so. In 2000, Joe went to work driving the bus that took employees to and from work. At one time, he also drove a bus taking people on tours of the mine.
In retirement, Joe and Virginia began touring and visiting all the states. They went on cruises and visited Africa, Spain, Greece, the Holy Land an many other countries.
It is with a heavy heart we send you on your way to your eternal destiny. Until we meet again!
Joe is survived by: his wife of 63 years, Virginia; his son, Michael Figueroa (Brenda); his daughter, Elizabeth Figueroa (Randy Damron); his sister, Alicia Martinez; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; four stepchildren; and nine step grandchildren.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Adela and Juan; his brothers, Gilbert and Juan, a sister, Virginia; and a granddaughter, Christine Michelle Figueroa.
A Rosary for Joe was prayed Friday morning, July 28, 2017, at Vining Funeral Home's Chapel of the Valley by Deacon Carl Vessels. Military honors and presentation of the flag of the United States was conferred by Gila Valley Veterans Honor Guard Commander Steve Oller.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
www.eacourier.com/obituaries/joe-robles-figueroa/
Joe was born November 17, 1934 to Adela Robles and Juan Usaraga Figueroa. He entered into the family of three brothers and two sisters. Joe was the baby of the family.
At the ripe old age of 4 years old, his father passed away. Joe's mother was left with no one to watch little Joe while she was at work. The owner of Shorty's Cafe put him to work, giving him little jobs here and there. After Joe would finish with all his chores, the boss would give him a plate of food as payment for his hard work.
At the age of 11 or 12 years old, Joe went to work at Michilina's Store in Solomon. He later worked at Carrasco's for a while and, when he was of age, he went to work at Safeway. Joe worked hard as usual and promptly became assistant manager.
He married the love of his life, Virginia, in March of 1956.
Joe decided he wanted to go into the military and enlisted in the National Guard. He went to Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista. Upon returning, Joe went to work at Long's Furniture store as a salesman and deliveryman. After working for some time at Long's he then went to work at Sears. He worked hard as usual, becoming assistant manager there, too. During this time, Joe became a certified embalmer and drove the ambulance for Roger David at Safford Funeral Home.
In the early 1970's, Joe was instrumental in helping start the current Graham County Search and Rescue Squad. In 1973, he obtained work, for a short time with Eastern Arizona College. Always looking to better himself, Joe gained employment with Phelps Dodge Copper Mining Corporation in Morenci. He had several jobs there, starting out on the truck crew before he moved up to the blasting crew. Joe ran heavy equipment for a short time, until he found his dream job. He stuck to his favorite job of driving haul trucks for the next 20 years or so. In 2000, Joe went to work driving the bus that took employees to and from work. At one time, he also drove a bus taking people on tours of the mine.
In retirement, Joe and Virginia began touring and visiting all the states. They went on cruises and visited Africa, Spain, Greece, the Holy Land an many other countries.
It is with a heavy heart we send you on your way to your eternal destiny. Until we meet again!
Joe is survived by: his wife of 63 years, Virginia; his son, Michael Figueroa (Brenda); his daughter, Elizabeth Figueroa (Randy Damron); his sister, Alicia Martinez; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; four stepchildren; and nine step grandchildren.
Joe was predeceased by his parents, Adela and Juan; his brothers, Gilbert and Juan, a sister, Virginia; and a granddaughter, Christine Michelle Figueroa.
A Rosary for Joe was prayed Friday morning, July 28, 2017, at Vining Funeral Home's Chapel of the Valley by Deacon Carl Vessels. Military honors and presentation of the flag of the United States was conferred by Gila Valley Veterans Honor Guard Commander Steve Oller.
Online condolences may be offered at www.viningfuneralhome.com
Arrangements were entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
www.eacourier.com/obituaries/joe-robles-figueroa/
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