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Claudio Vela Obituary
Services for Claudio Vela 86 of Clovis, NM will be Monday, October 26, 2009, at 2 PM at The Chapel, 1500 Thornton, with Deacon Daniel Chavez and Pastor Tommy Montoya officiating. Burial will follow at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens. Rosary services will be 6:00 PM Sunday, October 25, 2009, at The Chapel. Pallbearers will be Steve Rayburn, Alfred Romero Jr., Jose Morales, Carlos Chairez, Ricky Chairez and Dominique Chairez. All Grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers. Claudio died Friday, October 23, 2009, at All Care Assisted Living in Clovis, NM. He was born September 9, 1923, in Corpus Christi, TX, to Don and Regina Martinez Vela. He moved to Clovis in 1938. Claudio married Frances Jacques October 9, 1943, in Clovis, NM. After her death, he married Lupe Castillo, March 4, 1989, in Clovis, NM. He was the owner and operator of Vela's Concrete until his retirement. Claudio worked as a carman for the AT&SF railroad for 12 years, was a member of Bethel Assembly of God and enjoyed football, boxing and sports on TV.
He is survived by his wife Lupe. 4 sons; Don (Jackie) Vela, Richard (Marlene) Vela, Jimmy (Merced) Vela and David Vela all of Clovis, NM, 6 daughters; Marcella (Baltazar) Porras of Edgewood, NM, Frances Rayburn of Clovis, NM, Irene (Alfred) Romero, of Clovis, NM, Dolores (Manuel) Varela of San Diego, CA, Barbara (Oscar) Morales of Los Lunas, NM, and Margaret (Von) Lamey of Indiana, 1 brother Joe Vela of Muleshoe, TX, 7 step-sons; Joe (Mary Esther) Chairez, Manuel (Elvia) Chairez, Gabriel (Renya) Chairez, Avelino (Jan) Chairez, Ricky Chairez, Ciro (Dana) Chairez, Carlos (Kelly) Chairez, 3 step-daughters; Sally Wright, Esther Alexander and Erika Chairez, 32 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchild, and 16 step grandchildren. Claudio was preceded by his first wife Frances, his daughter Mary Esther Vela, son-in-law Ken Rayburn, 3 brothers, Juan, Julian, Patricio Vela, and a grandson Manuel Varela Jr.
Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home Inc. 575 762-4435 muffleyfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
christine porras
November 7, 2009
Rest in peace grandpo.we all will miss you and our memories of you will always live in our hearts. We all are thankful for having such a loving,and caring grandpo. Thank you gramps for everything you have done for us. Love you
Panchita / theodore romero
November 3, 2009
May god bless the Vela family. May Mr Vela (my grandpo) menories live on... He will always be the boss of concrete.. No can ever say that he never tried to help you at least once and i hope everyone remembers that... He is a great man and will be missed...
Debbie Gordon-Rich
October 29, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Mariaelena Bojorquez
October 28, 2009
To the Vela family we feel your loss and send our prayers and love to you all. May the lord jesus christ bless you all. You will be in our prayers. From
Charles & Mariaelena Bojorquez Family
And Juan Amaro Sr.
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Ciro Chairez
October 27, 2009
Claudio was a great man. He took me from the projects and turned me into a man with a very successful career. He loved his concrete plant. I will teach my boys about Claudio and the lessons of life he taught me. His beliefs will live on in my boys.
Vickie Vela
October 27, 2009
My condolences go out to each of Claudio Vela's children, grandchildren and loved ones. I will always have this one special memory of Grandpo Claudio embedded in my heart and in my memory. When we were little kids, we were made to sit on the front pew of our church, Bethel Assemby Of God.
During the entire church service, myself, plus some of my other sibling kept twisting our heads around and around and were not watchlng Bro. Allen. My grammy kept asking me who I was looking for and I would proudly say my "Grandpo." So for a split second, I twisted my head around and glory be ... what did I see.... My Grandpo. When he saw me, he smiled and gestured for me to turn around and listern to the service being given by Bro. Allen.
I would then have so much happinees and excitement fill my little body. I also remember the gallons of butterflies in my tummy. I just could not stand all this anticipation anymore.
So now the best part of the church service has come. The elders are now taking up the offereing. After the offering prayer serveral of Claudio's grandkids rain straight to the back to him. And like usuall. he never let us down .... He gave each one of his grandkids a big hug, smile, kiss and I love you meja/mejo. In addition to that brand new crisp dollar bill to put in the offering. It made us little kids so proud to be hugged and kissed by our grampo and to also put the new dollar bill in the offerring plate.
Vickie Vela
October 27, 2009
My condolences go out to each of Claudio Vela's children, grandchildren and loved ones.
I will always have this one special memory of Grandpo Claudio embedded in my heart and in my memory. When we were little kids, we were made to sit on the front pew of our church, Bethel Assemby Of God.
During the entire church service, myself, plus some of my other sibling kept twisting our heads around and around and were not watchlng Bro. Allen. My Grammy kept asking me who I was looking for and I would proudly say my "Grandpo." So for a split second, while twisting my head around and glory be ... what did I see? .... My Grandpo. When he saw me, he smiled and gestured for me to turn around and listern to the service being given by Bro. Allen.
I would then have so much happinees and excitement fill my little body. I can even remember the gallons of butterflies in my tummy. I just could not stand all this anticipation anymore.
So now the best part of the church service has come. The elders are now taking up the offereing. After the offering prayer serveral of Claudio's grandkids ran straight to the back to one of the church pews and give Grampo a big old hug and kiss. And like usuall. he never let us down .... He gave each one of his grandkids a big hug, smile, kiss and he never failed to say "I Love You Meja or Mejo" In addition to that he gave each one of us a brand new crisp dollar bill to put in the offering. It made us younger kids so proud to be hugged and kissed by our grampo and to also have the opportunity to put the new dollar bill in the offerring plate.
Claudio - Each one of your loved ones is going to miss you in some shape, way or form. While we are missinging you, we need to stay strong in the bible, the church and our family's love. But we know, that from this point forward, you are now in the "Lords Care" and you will have much joy and happiness in you heart and soul from this day forward.
God Bless You & I'll Alway Love You. Vickie J. Vela
Ben Salazar
October 27, 2009
My condolences to the Vela family on the passing of Mr. Vela. I grew up knowing Don, Richard, and Jimmy and will always remember their dad stressing the importance of hard and honest work.
His establishment and success of Vela's Concrete was always a source of pride for Clovis' Hispanic Community.
I always considered him an Hispanic Business Pioneer. He will be sorely missed.
christie kentzell
October 26, 2009
My Thoughts and prayers are with the Vela Family may god give you much comfort in the days to come, Iam really sorry for your loss just know you will always have an angel to watch over you! and Mr.Vela may you forever rest in gods peace.
Christie Kentzell,and Family
(Daughter of Mike and Rose Martinez)
Jt and Judy Griego
October 26, 2009
We send our sincere condolences for the loss of your husband, father, and grandfather.
We remember him being a very hardworking man, he will be missed as I was sharing this with you, Richard and Marlene when we last spoke. Our prayers are with your family.
Jeannie Vela-Jones
October 26, 2009
To all my Vela family,I know we are deeply saddened to know that our Grampo left us in the flesh.We need to be greatful that he will always be with us in spirit. Just know that his piercing smile and unforgotten chuckle will always be heard as we remember our Grandpo and know that he is in no pain. God Bless
Jeannie Vivian Vela Jones
Paul Vela & Family
October 26, 2009
Gone from our sight but never for our memories or our hearts. Gramps will be greatly missed. Keeping the family in our prayers, and trusting that God will bring you comfort in the days ahead.
Todd & Rebecca Holt
October 26, 2009
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief. Our hearts go out to you at this time and in the days ahead. May your memories bring you comfort.
Dolorine Vela
October 25, 2009
'Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.' Isaiah 40:31 My prayers are with all the family. May he rest in peace and be welcomed into the arms of Jesus.
Calvin Lary
October 25, 2009
To the Vela family, my you find the ability to go on with your lives during this trying time, its hard to bounce back from the death of a loved one, but as time progresses your loss won't be so overwhelming as it is today, and everday gets a little easier, God bless the Vela Family..
Mary Romero/Gabriel Lopez
October 25, 2009
Rest In Peace Grandpo Vela we are going to miss you very much. Thank-you so much for every thing you did for us. You will never be forgotten. We will always love you.
diana garcia-Romero
October 25, 2009
We were saddened to hear about Claudio. Our heartfelt sympathies for your loss. May god bring peace of mind and heart to all of your families.
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