Paul was a treasured member of the Raton, NM community. He served 18 years with InBank(formerly International Bank) and was well known for his excellent service and kind treatment of his clients. Banking isn’t known as a warm and fuzzy profession, but Paul was that special person–an actually lovable banker. He was especially popular with the more mature ladies, and one of them preferred to refer to him as “luscious lips”. We won’t mention any names here.
Outside of work, Paul was a member of the Raton Rotary Club, as well as a board member at St Patrick St Joseph Catholic Church
Golf was a major enjoyment for Paul, he was a powerful driver and often covered up to 16miles a week playing Army Golf (left, right, left, right…) Thursday night league night was his favorite!
One of his other favorite pursuits was feeding his tummy various cuisines from around the globe, and he could probably have given Anthony Bourdain a run for the money on trying adventurous dishes.
A citizen of the world, Paul spent semesters abroad as a college student. He studied in Zheng Zhou, China, and St Omer, France. He even took a year to work-study vegetable gardening, organic olive oil, and wine production at Tenuta di Spannoccia – a magical place 20km from Siena, Italy.
He discovered the love of his life, Colette, in Trinidad and Tobago. After a few years of diligent courting, which included traveling to the Caribbean to see her during Carnival and engaging in chocolate-covered Jouvert masquerade she joined him in the US in 2013. Their love was unshakable, and she tended him to the end.
Paul was preceded into the next realm by his brother Dominic Armijo, and his mother Rosemarie Armijo, and canine bestie Cado Armijo. He is survived by his loving wife, Colette Mee Chong-Armijo, stepdaughter Celeste Rahamut, as well as his father Frank Armijo, and sisters, Mary Armijo, Teresa Larson, and niece Portia Larson. He is also survived by his faithful canine sidekick, Saucy Armijo.
Paul’s job here is done. He accepted a call, the kind of offer you can’t refuse, for an appointment from which he will not be returning. This assignment comes with a fantastic bonus, a reunion with loved ones he has not seen in a long time. He would appreciate that you celebrate his life and your memories of him with as little sadness as possible.
Instead of flowers, Paul would hope that you will do an act of kindness in his name.
Suggested recipients for donations are Blue Sky Ranch in Raton, and the Raton Humane Society. If your heart calls you to do something different that you know Paul would like, please do so!
Services will be private on Friday 25th September at noon but there will be a public procession with motorcycle escort along 2nd Street of downtown Raton following the service.
Arrangements and celebration of love for Paul Armijo are under the direction of the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home of Raton.
To plant a memorial tree in honor of Paul Albert Armijo, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
