Teodolo Arellano

1927 - 2017

Teodolo "Ted" F. Arellano, beloved husband, father and "Pompa", passed away peacefully at his home in Rio Rancho, NM on May 7, 2017 at the age of 90. Ted was born on February 17, 1927 in Santa Rita, NM to Pablo and Mariana Arellano. He attended Hurley High School and Allen Military Academy in Texas. He was drafted into the Army during World War II but did not see active duty due to the death of his older brother, who was killed in action. He received the WWII Victory Medal and was honorably discharged. He then attended the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque but finished his education at Western New Mexico College in Silver City, NM receiving a B.A. degree in Commerce. He continued his education at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, NM where he obtained an M.A. in Guidance and Counseling as well as an Ed Specialist degree in Educational Management and Development. While attending school, he worked at the Physical Science Laboratory at NMSU. He traveled extensively while working for PSL to locations around the world and was able to witness an atomic explosion in the South Pacific.
In 1963 he met and married the former Delia Benavidez in La Mesa, NM. They were married on May 13, 1963. After marrying, Ted became an intelligence officer for US government and was sent to Panama. It is Panama where Ted and Delia welcomed their first child, Ted Jr. In 1964, they returned to the States and welcomed their second child, Mariana. He returned to NMSU and was assigned to Cape Kennedy with PSL. While in Florida they welcomed their third child, Marisela. While still in Florida they welcomed their fourth child, Rita. He was proud to have launched rockets and satellites and to have been involved in America's space technological advances. From 1955 until 1972, he held a variety of positions, many with security ratings, at NMSU's PSL, White Sands Missile Range, and Ft. Holabird in Baltimore, MD.
In 1972 he became the director of Purchasing for NMSU until he retired in 1985. It was also during this time that he was elected to the Gadsden Independent School District and served as a board member.
After his retirement he went on to become South Dakota's State Purchasing Director until 1986 and then Director of Purchasing for the City of El Paso. In 1990 he went to work for the Ysleta Independent School District as a purchasing agent and in 1992 he became the Manager for McKinley County in Gallup, NM.
He often joked that he obtained his BA in 1952, his MA in 1962, his Mrs. (Delia) in 1963 and his EDS in 1982. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Delia; his son, Ted Jr. (Amy); his daughter Mariana (Ron); his daughter Marisela (James); and son-in-law Bill Flynn. He is also survived by his grandchildren also known as his "gallotes" and "chickens"; Angelica (Arellano) Stewart, Teddy Arellano III, Ava Arellano, Gabriela Caruso, Matthew Caruso, Deanna Lucero, Vanessa Lucero, Chris Flynn, Stephen Flynn and Brianna Flynn. He was also survived by cherished nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends in the Mesilla Valley area. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter Rita Flynn; brother Rito, (killed in WWII); two sisters Ramona Gonzalez and Manuela Marrujo; nieces Dolores Gonzalez and Florence Parker and nephew Juan Gonzalez. Ted will be remembered for his integrity, his commitment to education, his love of anything Notre Dame, UNM and NMSU. Above all else he is be remembered for his love for his wife, his children and especially his grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be, James Lucero, Bill Flynn, Chris Flynn, Stephen Flynn, Matthew Caruso and Danny Gonzalez. Honorary pall bears are Ron Caruso, Tony Marrujo, Manuel Gonzalez, and Tony Gonzalez.
A viewing will take place on Friday May 12th from 4-7 pm at Daniels Family Funeral Services located at 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, NM 87124. The rosary will be at 10:30 am on Saturday May 13th at the Church of the Incarnation located at 2309 Monterrey Rd. NE in Rio Ranch, NM. Mass to follow at 11 am. Burial will take place at Vista Verde Memorial Park immediately following the mass at 4310 Sara Rd. Rio Rancho, NM 87124.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Church of the Incarnation or a veteran's organization of your choice. To view information or leave a condolence, please visit www.danielsfuneral.com
Daniels Family Funeral Services
4310 Sara Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-892-9920