Fidel Jorajuria

1931 - 2015

Fidel Jorajuria, 83, of Tacna, AZ passed away on May 11, 2015 at Yuma Regional Medical Center. Fidel was born on August 17, 1931 in Sunbilla, Navarra, Spain, to Miguel Jorajuria and Josefina Arrechea. He came from a very large Spanish Basque family with 10 brothers and 1 sister, including Fidel.

He was the co-owner of the Basque Etchea Restaurant, with his wife Frances and daughter and son-in law Marie and Manuel Rico, where he worked as the daytime bartender. Fidel loved meeting and talking with people on a daily basis. He always had a story to share, a joke to laugh about, and a smile on his face. He was also a farmer and sheep rancher for over 60 years.

He left the Basque Country at the age of 16 to work in Wyoming as a sheepherder. A couple of years later, he came to Arizona to join his uncle Mario Jorajuria as a sheepherder for the Ohaco Sheep Company. He then went to work for Manterola Sheep Company under Frank Auza, where he met his wife Frances, Frank's daughter. They lived in Casa Grande for a few years and started a sheep company with Fermin Echeverria and had two children Marie and Mike. In 1959, the family moved to Tacna, joining the sheep and Fidel who had came a few years before. In 1973, Fidel, his brother Ramon, and son Mike, went into business together and started Triple J Ranch. They farmed and ranched sheep in the Wellton-Mohawk Valley for 30 years. In 1979, Fidel built the Basque Etchea with the help of Ramon, Mike, son-in-law Manuel, and many other friends. The Basque Etchea was a business opportunity that presented a place for his family and friends to gather through the years.

Fidel was a very active member of the Wellton-Mohawk Valley for over 60 years. He was the "go to" guy for B-B-Q. He donated many hours over the years in helping Mohawk Valley School, Antelope FFA, American Legion, Tri-Valley Ambulance, the Tacna Fire Department and The Firemen's Ball. The Wellton-Mohawk Valley community was very important to him and he enjoyed when everyone gathered to have a great time for a good cause.

Fidel enjoyed woodworking and carpentry. He had a natural talent in creating many beautiful pieces large and small, including the beautiful bar at the Basque. It was a talent that he was able to pass on to his son and grandsons. He also enjoyed camping in the Flagstaff area and being outdoors.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Miguel Jorajuria and Josefina Arrechea, brothers Agustin Jorajuria, Mario Jorajuria, Juan Jorajuria, and Jose Jorajuria.

Fidel is survived by his wife, Frances of 60 years; daughter Marie (Manuel) Rico, son Michael (Alicia) Jorajuria; grandchildren Jessica (Rob Goodman) Jorajuria of Chino Valley, AZ, Erik (Morgan) Rico, Howie (Amy) Jorajuria; two great-grandchildren Cole and Ava Jorajuria, brother Ramon (Elsie) Jorajuria all of Tacna; nieces Tonya (Jeremy) Palmitier of Michigan, Nina Jorajuria of Phoenix, AZ and; brothers, Santus Jorajuria, Jose Mari Jorajuria, Julio (Pepi) Jorajuria, Jesus (Mari Paz) Jorajuria and sister Josefina (Pedro Irigoien) Jorajuria all of Spain; and many nieces and nephews in the United States and in Spain.

A Memorial Mass will be Saturday, May 23 at 10:00 a.m at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Wellton, AZ where friends and family will celebrate his life. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Tacna Fire Department or Tri-Valley Ambulance.