Javier ALCARAZ

ALCARAZ, Javier was born on July 4, 1927 to Eloisa and Jose Alcaraz in Los Reyes, Michoacan, Mexico. He died on April 2, 2016 after a brief but stoic battle against pancreatic cancer. He was a former faculty member of Pima Community College-Downtown Campus. He taught Spanish and French there from 1978 until the early 2000's when he retired. Javier always loved teaching. He was fond of seeing former students long after he had them in class. He enjoyed learning and was an avid student of linguistics, history and theology until he became very ill. Javier enjoyed writing poetry and songs as a hobby. He was also a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was well travelled having studied in Mexico, Spain, Paris and Rome as well as the US. Javier obtained his B.A. from the Gregorian University of Rome and M.A. from Jaime Balmes University in Mexico. He enjoyed visiting places as diverse as Montreal, Quebec and Machu Picchu in Peru with his family. When he retired he moved from Tucson to Spokane, WA to be close to his daughter and grandson. But he loved to visit Tucson frequently and visit with friends. Javier is survived by Teresa his wife of 54 years; daughter, Veronique; grandson, Matthew; sister, Ernestina Barragan; several half siblings including, Jose Luis, Guadalupe, Jorge and Obdulia, as well as several nephews and nieces. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 601 East Fort Lowell Rd. If desired memorial contributions can be made to Casa de Los Ninos Crisis Nursery or the local Salvation Army.