Albert Vargas Jr.

Retired 1st Sgt. Albert L. Vargas Jr. passed away October 16th, 2017 and reunited in death with his wife of 50 years, Ingrid Rugermayer Vargas.
Born on May 24th, 1937 in Artesia, NM to Antonia Lopez Vargas and Albert C. Vargas Sr.
Albert was raised in Roswell by his father and stepmother, Senora Balencia Vargas, joined the Army airborne at the age of 17.
Albert retired as 1st Sgt. From U.S. Army Airborne, serving more than 25 years, with honorable discharge. Served two tours in Vietnam, had a Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, was airborne instructor, also Tank Commander and had may overseas ribbons and numerous good conduct medals. Albert proudly served his country and one of his most memorable moments was when he met and shook hands with President Gerald Ford.
After retirement, he also assisted training military in Herzegovina and Bosnia. Albert was stationed most of his military career in Germany where he met and married Ingrid Rugermayer in Frankfurt, Germany and had two sons, Ret. Lt, Col. Ralph Vargas and Staff Sgt. Steve Vargas, surviving.
Also surviving are one daughter-in-law, Dr. Donna Vargas, five grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
Survivors also include sisters Minnie Smith from Charleston, MA., Maggie Vargas Rodriguez & her husband Alex Rodriguez, sister-in-law Nellie Lucero Vargas from Roswell, numerous nieces and nephews from Roswell, Texas, Louisiana and MA.
Preceding Albert in death were his parents, stepmother, sisters and brothers-in-law, Amelia and Ruben Valenzuela St., Juanita (Jane) and Raymond Broussard, also brothers Roy Vargas Sr., Henry Vargas, brother in law, William Smith (Smitty) and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Memorial services at later date and burial in Frankfurt, Germany, per Albert's request. Cremation has taken place at Peace Chapel Funeral Home, in Phoenix, AZ.