Published: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 3:55 PM CDT in the Willcox Range News, Willcox, Arizona
"Heraclio "Rocky" Vindiola 1919-2009
"The Cowboy Rides Away"
Heraclio Vindiola "Rocky" passed away on July 8, 2009 at the age of 90. Rocky was born on Jan. 30, 1919 in Klondyke, Ariz. to Jesus Vindiola and Theresa Martinez Vindiola. He was the sixth of 12 siblings.
Rocky was a rancher most of his life. He worked for the 4 Bar One Ranch for three years; then for Skeet Bowman on the Indian Reservation. After one year there, he went to work for Woody Wilson on a ranch on the Safford side of the Graham Mountains for nine years. Then onto the Larson Ranch for 18 years before moving to San Manuel. Then onto Oracle where he worked for the County driving a grader; and finally back to Willcox in 1971 where he lived the rest of his life. He retired from Farmer's Pump in 1984. He was a cowpuncher, a rodeo cowboy and a team roper.
Rocky was a World War II Veteran. He served on CO I 9th, Inf Regt. He was stationed in Ft. Lewis, Washington until he was shipped to Germany to fight the war. He received the Victory Medal WWII. He served from July 16, 1946 and separated from the army on Sept 15, 1948. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sgt. Rocky is known for his rescue of Flight #040, it has become part of Willcox lore. He was inducted into the Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2001. He enjoyed cowboying, rodeo, music, singing and dancing. He was a good man that would give you his shirt off his back and his last penny if you needed it. He loved entertaining his great granddaughter Kacie. He had a wonderful demeanor and sense of humor. Rocky Vindiola, the End of a Legend. Our memories will live on forever.
He married Rita Ayala on Feb. 22, 1953, and raised four children: Sally, Rocky Jr., Margaret (deceased) and Jeannie, and two stepchildren Fred and Anita Jurado. Rita and Rocky were married for 56 years. He had four children from a previous marriage, Mary Ellen, Carolyn, Theresa and Michael.
He is suvived by his wife Rita Vindiola of Willcox, and nine children Jeannie Harris (Scott) of Willcox, Sally Pierson (Tom) of Mesa, Rocky Vindiola Jr. (Renee) of Mesa, Mary Ellen Bencomo of Tucson, Carolyn Pacheco of Mesa, Theresa Thiessen (Ray) of Safford, Michael Vindiola (Cynthia) of Justin, Texas, Anita Carrillo of Willcox, Fred Jurado (Mary) of Chandler; 21 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother Avelino Vindiola (Chawa) Mammoth, Ariz., Joe Vindiola (Lucy) of Pinetop, Ariz., and one sister Theresa Sanchez of San Manuel, Ariz.
He is preceded in death by his daughter Margaret Vindiola, parents Jesus and Theresa Vindiola. brothers Alfredo Vindiola, Ramon Vindiola, Eliazar Vindiola, Nicho Vindiola, Jesus Vindiola, Jimmy Vindiola and a sister Angela Estavillo.
A Rosary was offered on Monday, July 13, at Westlawn Chapel.
Funeral Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 14, and burial followed in Sunset Cemetery with Ft. HuachucaMilitary Honor Guard performing military honors.
Services entrusted to Westlawn Chapel, Mortuary and Crematorium of Willcox, Ariz."
"Heraclio "Rocky" Vindiola 1919-2009
"The Cowboy Rides Away"
Heraclio Vindiola "Rocky" passed away on July 8, 2009 at the age of 90. Rocky was born on Jan. 30, 1919 in Klondyke, Ariz. to Jesus Vindiola and Theresa Martinez Vindiola. He was the sixth of 12 siblings.
Rocky was a rancher most of his life. He worked for the 4 Bar One Ranch for three years; then for Skeet Bowman on the Indian Reservation. After one year there, he went to work for Woody Wilson on a ranch on the Safford side of the Graham Mountains for nine years. Then onto the Larson Ranch for 18 years before moving to San Manuel. Then onto Oracle where he worked for the County driving a grader; and finally back to Willcox in 1971 where he lived the rest of his life. He retired from Farmer's Pump in 1984. He was a cowpuncher, a rodeo cowboy and a team roper.
Rocky was a World War II Veteran. He served on CO I 9th, Inf Regt. He was stationed in Ft. Lewis, Washington until he was shipped to Germany to fight the war. He received the Victory Medal WWII. He served from July 16, 1946 and separated from the army on Sept 15, 1948. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sgt. Rocky is known for his rescue of Flight #040, it has become part of Willcox lore. He was inducted into the Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2001. He enjoyed cowboying, rodeo, music, singing and dancing. He was a good man that would give you his shirt off his back and his last penny if you needed it. He loved entertaining his great granddaughter Kacie. He had a wonderful demeanor and sense of humor. Rocky Vindiola, the End of a Legend. Our memories will live on forever.
He married Rita Ayala on Feb. 22, 1953, and raised four children: Sally, Rocky Jr., Margaret (deceased) and Jeannie, and two stepchildren Fred and Anita Jurado. Rita and Rocky were married for 56 years. He had four children from a previous marriage, Mary Ellen, Carolyn, Theresa and Michael.
He is suvived by his wife Rita Vindiola of Willcox, and nine children Jeannie Harris (Scott) of Willcox, Sally Pierson (Tom) of Mesa, Rocky Vindiola Jr. (Renee) of Mesa, Mary Ellen Bencomo of Tucson, Carolyn Pacheco of Mesa, Theresa Thiessen (Ray) of Safford, Michael Vindiola (Cynthia) of Justin, Texas, Anita Carrillo of Willcox, Fred Jurado (Mary) of Chandler; 21 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother Avelino Vindiola (Chawa) Mammoth, Ariz., Joe Vindiola (Lucy) of Pinetop, Ariz., and one sister Theresa Sanchez of San Manuel, Ariz.
He is preceded in death by his daughter Margaret Vindiola, parents Jesus and Theresa Vindiola. brothers Alfredo Vindiola, Ramon Vindiola, Eliazar Vindiola, Nicho Vindiola, Jesus Vindiola, Jimmy Vindiola and a sister Angela Estavillo.
A Rosary was offered on Monday, July 13, at Westlawn Chapel.
Funeral Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 14, and burial followed in Sunset Cemetery with Ft. HuachucaMilitary Honor Guard performing military honors.
Services entrusted to Westlawn Chapel, Mortuary and Crematorium of Willcox, Ariz."
Published: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 3:55 PM CDT in the Willcox Range News, Willcox, Arizona
"Heraclio "Rocky" Vindiola 1919-2009
"The Cowboy Rides Away"
Heraclio Vindiola "Rocky" passed away on July 8, 2009 at the age of 90. Rocky was born on Jan. 30, 1919 in Klondyke, Ariz. to Jesus Vindiola and Theresa Martinez Vindiola. He was the sixth of 12 siblings.
Rocky was a rancher most of his life. He worked for the 4 Bar One Ranch for three years; then for Skeet Bowman on the Indian Reservation. After one year there, he went to work for Woody Wilson on a ranch on the Safford side of the Graham Mountains for nine years. Then onto the Larson Ranch for 18 years before moving to San Manuel. Then onto Oracle where he worked for the County driving a grader; and finally back to Willcox in 1971 where he lived the rest of his life. He retired from Farmer's Pump in 1984. He was a cowpuncher, a rodeo cowboy and a team roper.
Rocky was a World War II Veteran. He served on CO I 9th, Inf Regt. He was stationed in Ft. Lewis, Washington until he was shipped to Germany to fight the war. He received the Victory Medal WWII. He served from July 16, 1946 and separated from the army on Sept 15, 1948. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sgt. Rocky is known for his rescue of Flight #040, it has become part of Willcox lore. He was inducted into the Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2001. He enjoyed cowboying, rodeo, music, singing and dancing. He was a good man that would give you his shirt off his back and his last penny if you needed it. He loved entertaining his great granddaughter Kacie. He had a wonderful demeanor and sense of humor. Rocky Vindiola, the End of a Legend. Our memories will live on forever.
He married Rita Ayala on Feb. 22, 1953, and raised four children: Sally, Rocky Jr., Margaret (deceased) and Jeannie, and two stepchildren Fred and Anita Jurado. Rita and Rocky were married for 56 years. He had four children from a previous marriage, Mary Ellen, Carolyn, Theresa and Michael.
He is suvived by his wife Rita Vindiola of Willcox, and nine children Jeannie Harris (Scott) of Willcox, Sally Pierson (Tom) of Mesa, Rocky Vindiola Jr. (Renee) of Mesa, Mary Ellen Bencomo of Tucson, Carolyn Pacheco of Mesa, Theresa Thiessen (Ray) of Safford, Michael Vindiola (Cynthia) of Justin, Texas, Anita Carrillo of Willcox, Fred Jurado (Mary) of Chandler; 21 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother Avelino Vindiola (Chawa) Mammoth, Ariz., Joe Vindiola (Lucy) of Pinetop, Ariz., and one sister Theresa Sanchez of San Manuel, Ariz.
He is preceded in death by his daughter Margaret Vindiola, parents Jesus and Theresa Vindiola. brothers Alfredo Vindiola, Ramon Vindiola, Eliazar Vindiola, Nicho Vindiola, Jesus Vindiola, Jimmy Vindiola and a sister Angela Estavillo.
A Rosary was offered on Monday, July 13, at Westlawn Chapel.
Funeral Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 14, and burial followed in Sunset Cemetery with Ft. HuachucaMilitary Honor Guard performing military honors.
Services entrusted to Westlawn Chapel, Mortuary and Crematorium of Willcox, Ariz."
"Heraclio "Rocky" Vindiola 1919-2009
"The Cowboy Rides Away"
Heraclio Vindiola "Rocky" passed away on July 8, 2009 at the age of 90. Rocky was born on Jan. 30, 1919 in Klondyke, Ariz. to Jesus Vindiola and Theresa Martinez Vindiola. He was the sixth of 12 siblings.
Rocky was a rancher most of his life. He worked for the 4 Bar One Ranch for three years; then for Skeet Bowman on the Indian Reservation. After one year there, he went to work for Woody Wilson on a ranch on the Safford side of the Graham Mountains for nine years. Then onto the Larson Ranch for 18 years before moving to San Manuel. Then onto Oracle where he worked for the County driving a grader; and finally back to Willcox in 1971 where he lived the rest of his life. He retired from Farmer's Pump in 1984. He was a cowpuncher, a rodeo cowboy and a team roper.
Rocky was a World War II Veteran. He served on CO I 9th, Inf Regt. He was stationed in Ft. Lewis, Washington until he was shipped to Germany to fight the war. He received the Victory Medal WWII. He served from July 16, 1946 and separated from the army on Sept 15, 1948. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sgt. Rocky is known for his rescue of Flight #040, it has become part of Willcox lore. He was inducted into the Willcox Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2001. He enjoyed cowboying, rodeo, music, singing and dancing. He was a good man that would give you his shirt off his back and his last penny if you needed it. He loved entertaining his great granddaughter Kacie. He had a wonderful demeanor and sense of humor. Rocky Vindiola, the End of a Legend. Our memories will live on forever.
He married Rita Ayala on Feb. 22, 1953, and raised four children: Sally, Rocky Jr., Margaret (deceased) and Jeannie, and two stepchildren Fred and Anita Jurado. Rita and Rocky were married for 56 years. He had four children from a previous marriage, Mary Ellen, Carolyn, Theresa and Michael.
He is suvived by his wife Rita Vindiola of Willcox, and nine children Jeannie Harris (Scott) of Willcox, Sally Pierson (Tom) of Mesa, Rocky Vindiola Jr. (Renee) of Mesa, Mary Ellen Bencomo of Tucson, Carolyn Pacheco of Mesa, Theresa Thiessen (Ray) of Safford, Michael Vindiola (Cynthia) of Justin, Texas, Anita Carrillo of Willcox, Fred Jurado (Mary) of Chandler; 21 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and 15 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother Avelino Vindiola (Chawa) Mammoth, Ariz., Joe Vindiola (Lucy) of Pinetop, Ariz., and one sister Theresa Sanchez of San Manuel, Ariz.
He is preceded in death by his daughter Margaret Vindiola, parents Jesus and Theresa Vindiola. brothers Alfredo Vindiola, Ramon Vindiola, Eliazar Vindiola, Nicho Vindiola, Jesus Vindiola, Jimmy Vindiola and a sister Angela Estavillo.
A Rosary was offered on Monday, July 13, at Westlawn Chapel.
Funeral Mass was celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 14, and burial followed in Sunset Cemetery with Ft. HuachucaMilitary Honor Guard performing military honors.
Services entrusted to Westlawn Chapel, Mortuary and Crematorium of Willcox, Ariz."
Family Members
Siblings
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Angelita Vindiola Estavillo
1908–1998
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Jesus Martinez Vindiola
1910–2005
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Nicho Martinez Vindiola
1911–1997
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Alfredo Martinez Vindiola
1916–1987
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Teresa Vindiola Sanchez
1920–2015
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Avelino Vindiola
1922–2015
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Jimmy Martinez Vindiola
1926–2008
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Joe Martinez Vindiola
1928 – unknown
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Eliazar Martinez Vindiola
1930–1991
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