Felipe Guerrero

Felipe Aguilar Guerrero Obituary

Felipe was born on May 1,1934 to Antonia Sosa Aguilar and Ventura Guerrero in Marathon, TX. He was named after his maternal grandmother, Felipa Sosa. In 1939, his father, who was a vaquero on ranches in the Big Bend area, passed away; Felipe was 5 years old. Antonia was a 45 year old widow with 7 children under the ages of 12. After going to Arizona and California, the Guerrero family moved to Atoka, NM to live with Luis and Librada Aguilar. Luis was Antonia's younger brother by six years.

Felipe was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers; Roberto, Adan, Eliodoro, one sister Anita and his twin sons, Greg and Richard. He is survived by his wife of 60+ years, Elidia Dominguez Guerrero, his son Mike (Jeanna) and his daughter Francine. Felipe was proud of his grandsons Kyle(Amy), Bryce (Wendi), Brant, his granddaughters Alexandra, Katelyn and April and his 5 great grandchildren: Autianna, Keianna, Jose, Mikah, and Shane. He is also survived by his sister Socorro (Santiago) Ramirez of Albuquerque, NM, his sister Petra (Pilar-deceased) Navarrete of Carlsbad, NM and his brother Orlando (Christina) of Centennial, CO. His many nephews and nieces were proud to call him Tio.

Felipe retired from the United States Postal Service as a letter carrier after 34 years of service. He also served as president, union steward and other positions in the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Union. He also retired from the US Army Reserve as a Master Sergeant after 20+ years of service, specializing in meal preparation and serving troops. He was proud of his position as 4th Degree Knight of Columbus at St Anthony's Catholic Church. He was instrumental in starting and vetting candidates for the Scholarships sponsored by the KC Council #4124. Felipe was also a Lector and Eucharistic Minister at St Anthony's and was always ready and able to help in any Church activity.

Felipe grew up on the Brainard farm in Atoka, NM where the Guerrero family lived with Antonia's younger brother Luis Aguilar, who was a sharecropper. They all worked in the fields, chopping and picking cotton. He went to school in Atoka before moving to Artesia and graduated from AHS in 1952.

He started working at young age at Nelson's as an egg candler, promoted to be a stocker, cashier and the radio announcer for a Spanish program sponsored by Nelson's Supermarket. He, Eliodoro and his sisters Socorro and Petra were working in Artesia while going to school. Tio Luis, Felipe and Eliodoro built the house in stages using the materials that were bought as needed by Socorro, Petra, Felipe and Eliodoro. When they finished the house at 905 W. Mosley (now Mahone), it was completely paid for; and is still standing.

After graduation, Felipe went to telegraph school/training in Pueblo, CO where he learned Morse code. He then worked for the railroad as a telegrapher and was assigned to work in Marathon, TX. He then moved back to Artesia where he again worked at Nelson's. He and Lee were married on May 10,1959, began working at the Post Office and raising a family.

Special thanks to his sister-in-law Kathy Ramirez and caregiver Joy Smith who cared for him during his last few months.

Honorary pallbearers: Kyle Moore, Bryce and Brant Guerrero, Compadre Jose Gallegos, Primo Cheto Moreno, and Felipe's Knights of Columbus brothers,

Memorial services will be on Saturday, October 5th, 2019 at St Anthony's Catholic Church- 502 S. 9th St Artesia, NM. The Holy Rosary will be at 9:30 am followed by the Mass at 10am with graveside honor guard service at Twin Oaks Memorial Park.