Abel Nunez

Services are scheduled at 9:30 a.m. Monday, February 10, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church for Abel Larez Nunez of Artesia, New Mexico.

Mr. Nunez, 89, died Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at his home.

Fr. Martin Cornejo O.F.M. will officiate at the services with burial at Woodbine Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Manuel Villa, Jr., Valerian Gomez, Gabriel Lucero, Gary Harrel, Kerry Ornelas, Martin Bryant, and Javier Luna, Jr. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Villa, Tadeo Lucero, Fred Nunez, Jr., Joe Villa, Eric Cobos, Edgar Salcido, Manuel Fuentes, Benny Villa, and Felipe Guerrero.

Visitation will be at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church Sunday beginning at 2:00 p.m. A rosary will be at Our Lady of Grace Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

Abel was born September 29, 1924 in Loving, New Mexico the son of Facundo S. Nunez and Carolina Larez Nunez. He was a longtime Artesia resident.

He served his country in the United States Army during World War II. During his service was the recipient of the purple heart.

On July 30, 1947 he was married to Christine Villa in Artesia.

Abel was an OwnerOperator of Artesia Tire Service. He was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Disabled American Veterans, and the American Legion. He also enjoyed hunting and playing baseball in his younger days. He was a supportive husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle.

We loved him and will miss him.

Abel was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Eleanor Bryant.

Survivors include his wife Christine Nunez of the family home daughters Violanda Nunez of Sante Fe, N.M., and Loretta Nunez of Artesia grandchildren Niko Milan Newton of Sante Fe, and Mia Morales Nunez of Artesia greatgrandchildren Gabriel Lucero, and Urijah Abel Luna sisters Elia Gomez of Hagerman, N.M., and Elida Nunez of Sante Fe brothers Fred Nunez of Wilmington, CA, and Bill Nunez of Granada Hills, CA and nieces and nephews including Mark West, Jock West, Dennise Nunez, Barbara Marzans, Fred Nunez, Jr., Corrine Cloud, and Martin Bryant.