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Claude Eldred "Cab" Cabanillas
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Claude Eldred "Cab" Cabanillas, 68, passed away on Friday, June 5, 2009. He was born December 30, 1940 in San Turce, Puerto Rico. Cab enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959. He was an honor graduate of his Fort Riley, Kansas, basic training class. He served continuously until his retirement at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1985. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. Following his military retirement, Mr. Cabanillas was CEO of Cabaco Inc., a defense contracting firm. Cab was a member of the following groups/ organizations, St. Thomas Indian Mission, the Yuma Golf & Country Club, Harley Owners Group, Yuma Elk's Lodge #476, Yuma Mason Lodge #17, Arizona Golf Association, Yuma Rotary, VFW, 2002-2003 Imperial Potentate Yuma Shrine, and MOAA. Cab held a Master of Arts degree in Sociology, 1975 from the University of Texas at El Paso. He enjoyed golf, fishing and boating. Cab is survived by his daughter's, Colleen (Rick Park) Cabanillas of Laytonville, California, Christine (Kenneth Wigington) Cabanillas of Jacksborro, Texas and Cindy (LTC. Sam Peffers) Cabanillas of Terre Haute, Indiana; grandchildren, Molly Wegner-Couder, Michelle Wegner, Catie Galbraith, Bob Galbraith, Leslie Galbraith, Loretta Peffers, Cynthia Hannah Peffers, and Christina Peffers; parents, Juan and Maria Cabanillas; siblings, Sandy Yabumoto and Cuca Campbell; brother-in-law John McKeveny and sister-in-law Ann Marie McKeveny. Cab was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta Cabanillas. Masonic Rites will be take place at Johnson Mortuary Chapel on Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 5:30p.m. A general visitation will be held at 6 p.m. A rosary will take place at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Indian Mission, Burial to follow at Desert Lawn. Officiating is Father Duncan Monohan. Pallbearers will be LTC. Sam Peffers, John McKeveny, Steve Anderson, Bob Galbraith, Al Johnson and Rick Park. Honorary pallbearers are Paul Fox, Bobby Pancrazi, Kenneth Wigington, John Stocker, David Kincaid and Keith Connolly.

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Published in Sun from Jun. 10 to Jul. 11, 2009.
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23 entries
July 9, 2009
My thoughts and prayers have been for you all.
I was a classmate of Cab at Cristobal High School.
Carol Flenniken Schwenke
July 8, 2009
I was shocked to hear about Cab's death. We went to high school together in Panama and started sending emails to each other just a few months ago. My deepest condolences to your entire family. Janet Miles
Janet Miles
July 7, 2009
Your father and I were close classmates in Cristobal High School. We had great times together. I am proud to have been his friend and proud about his service to our country. He was a great soldier. I remember the ROTC days we shared. We will miss him.
Jimmy Brooks
July 6, 2009
Your dad was a special guy and the Class of 58 misses him as a group and individually. He was so looking forward to attending the reunion in Florida this year to touch base with CHS grads. We shall miss him forever.
Abrazos Cabbie, from Wendy Cotton Corrigan
July 1, 2009
Your Father and I go back to Cristobal High School days in the Canal Zone. I was sad to hear of his passing and want to offer all his family my sincere condolences.
Wendell (Windy) Sasso
July 1, 2009
Tiempo, cantos y amigos distancia
que cantidad de recuerdo

It is with those words that I say good bye to my friend Eldie.

I had shared with him recently my misery of going back to Bay View (P.R.) to relive childhood frolic only to discover that our gorgeous beach, like the love of our lives-our wives-had also disappeared. "Regresare a mis estrellas, distancia," I told him. He left before I had time to elaborate. In a way, though, I think he understood. Now he will share those thoughts with his wife.

Esperame porque nos vamos a ver en el futuro.

Tu amigo,

Dickie Vina
Ricardo Vina
June 30, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Vera & Frank Petrilli
June 30, 2009
Collen, Chris and Cindy, The Cabanillas Family in Puerto Rico was saddened to learn about our cousin. In particular, my brother Eugenio who is also a biker and exchanged pics and notes with Eldie. In addition, other Cabanillas here and in Dominican Republic have expressed their sincere condolences. Also, we know that our uncles Juan and Mary are devastated by this loss. God be with you all.

The Cabanillas
Reinaldo Cabanillas
June 30, 2009
Reinaldo Cabanillas
June 30, 2009
Just heard about Cab's death. So very sorry. It breaks my heart that the family had to go through - two great losses of their lives to grief in such a short period of time. I only knew Cab from the Canal Zone days in high school. Have been praying for both, him and Loretta for years, due to their health. They are both together now in heaven. Prayers and thoughts for them and the families they leave behind. Keep all the good memories alive. God bless each of you.
Irene Dollarhide
June 29, 2009
To the Cabanillas Family,

I'm so sorry I wasn't able to attend your Dad's service. Rod (my husband) was battling his cancer and passed away on Jun 12th. Your Mom and Dad were very special people. I hope you find comfort in knowing how many lives they touched in a positive way. My thoughts go out to each of you and I will keep you in my prayers.
Dottie Priest
June 29, 2009
Cindy & Sam and beautiful girls - may Jesus hold you closer and the Precious Holy Spirit minister to you...........thinking of you continually,

Love
Paula
Paula Shetler
June 16, 2009
Colleen, Chris & Cindy,
Our prayers are with you. You were blessed to have such a great father & friend. He loved you all so much. He didn't plan on leaving you now, but he has passed on to be with the love of his life. They will always be alive in your heart.
God Bless!
Percy & Lori Tremblay
June 14, 2009
Colleen, Chris, and Cindy,

I wish I could find the right words to comfort you all right now. I'm so sorry that you had to go through this again after losing your Mom so recently. Hopefully the memories of your Dad's life and knowing that he was doing what he loved to do will someday be a comfort to you. He and your Mom are now together again. Love you guys and always think about you.
Melody Dillon
June 14, 2009
Cindy and Family, What a horrible year for you. We will pray for God to give you strength and peace.
Julie and Frank Sturek
June 14, 2009
Thoughts and prayers from San Antonio.
Karen Eckart
June 13, 2009
Remember your dad from the Canal Zone. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Ed and Bonnie Dolan
Bonnie Dolan
June 12, 2009
Cindy, Sam and the rest of the Cabanillas family,
Your Dad was out doing what he loved. What a beautiful thought in that! Please know I am here for you whenever. My family will be praying for you all during this difficult time.
Becky Schneider
June 11, 2009
Cindy and family- I just was informed by one of Cab' former employees from Ft Huachuca. I cannot tell you how much I feel for your family. I am sorry I did not hear in time to be there. What a great time CAB and Loretta gave us all. I have to mention them together as that is how I remember them- what a wonderful couple and how lucky we were to have known them. Please know you are all in my thoughts and hope time will help you feel the true joy and happiness you had with Cab during his life.
Don & Donna Loftis
June 11, 2009
Thinking of you today with warmth, prayers
and our sympathy. Members of St. Thomas,
Ken & Ann Kammer, Yuma
June 11, 2009
Cindy, You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Chris, Charlene, Cal, Lydia and Ty
MAJ Chris Hormann
June 11, 2009
What full life he had! We send our sympathy to the family. Helen, Keira and Kelsey
Helen Campbell
June 11, 2009
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Bonnie H.
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