Donald L. Archuleta, 58, beloved son, brother, uncle and friend went to his final resting place on June 6, 2017.
He was the eldest of six children born to Crescencio and Mary Lou Archuleta in Springer, NM on July 10, 1958. He was preceded in death by his father, Crescencio Archuleta, grandparents Felix and Febronia Archuleta (Pino) and Eleuterio and Manuelita Salazar (Maez).
Donald was a veteran on the United States Army serving from September 1976 until September 1980. He completed his basic training at Fort Leonardwood, MO. After basic training, he was stationed at Fort Aberdine, MO where he received schooling for his Military Occupation Specialties (MOS) in linguistics. He was then transferred to Ft. Bragg, NC for the remainder of his enlistment and was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, where he completed tours of duty in Panama, Puerto Rico and Cuba.
Donald worked for Phelan Management in Raton for seventeen years where he met and made friends with most everyone he came in contact with. He was a gentle, kind and loving person who never met a stranger and was known by family and friends to be quick witted. He was an avid sports fan and a die-hard Oakland Raiders fan! Donald loved reading western novels by his favorite author, Louis L’Amour.
Donald is survived by his mother Mary Lou Archuleta, brothers Crescencio (Chris) Archuleta, Jr. and Michael Archuleta; sisters Cecelia Montoya and husband John, Angela Sierra and Husband Gene, and Michelle Archuleta. He was also survived by nieces and nephews, Celina Apodaca and husband Jimmy, Erika Lucero and husband Gabe, Cassandra Martinez, Christian Martinez, Daniel Sierra, Estevan Tapia, Connie Martinez, Adam Tapia, Jared Sierra and Natasha Archuleta. Great nieces and nephews, Audriana Apodaca, James (JJ) Apodaca, Jr., Liliana Lucero, JayCee Apodaca, and Lucas Lucero.
Recitation of The Most Holy Rosary will be held on Monday, June 19, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Patrick’s/St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Raton, recited by Johnny Medina. Solemn Mass of the Resurrection will be on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. with Father John C. Brasher as the Celebrant. Inurnment will follow at the Springer Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements for Donald L. Archuleta are under the direction of the Alderette-Pomeroy Funeral Home.
