Belen Aranda

Belen Aranda our cherished patriarch went to be with the Lord on March 5th 2025. He lived to be a strong and vibrant 90 year old with only 10 days until his 91st birthday.
He was born to Eugenio Aranda and Calixtra Salazar-Aranda on March 15th 1934 in the small town of El Mulato Mexico. His entire youth until retirement was spent doing what he loved, being a cowboy. He traveled from ranch to ranch in Texas breaking horses, tending to cattle and anything else that needed done. There was nothing he could not do with a rope in his hand and a strong horse underneath him.
He was known far and wide as one of the best horseman to come out of El Mulato where he met and fell in love with the women who he married in 1959 and embraced her 4 boys, not long after bringing 4 girls and 2 boys into the world during their almost 50 year marriage completing the family of 6 boys and 4 girls all together. They were together until her passing on February 22nd 2006.
His younger years were spent working at La Sauceda until migrating further North in his late 30s. Many if not most of the hundreds of stories and most cherish memories he had was from La Sauceda know today as part of Big Bend National Park. His favorite hobby and greatest joy later in life was spending time with his all his grandchildren and telling them and anyone who would listen about his time on that ranch. He told unbelievable and incredible stories such as sleeping in caves, training his horse to ride through and up unimaginable terrain all while doing the cattle run over mountains, down valleys, and across wide open plains. After migrating further north he continued ranching and perfected the art of building fences the old fashioned way on the V ranch all while being called by ranches far and wide to continue to help with cattle runs. His reputation as one of the best horseman in his small home town had spead to the great state of Texas and his services were highly sought after.
He leaves behind a great legacy of 6 children and 4 step children who's names are as follow. Efren Aranda and wife Debbie of Lubbock TX, Eugenio Aranda and wife Esther of Hobbs NM, Martha Torres of Kermit TX, Odulia Lopez and husband Jesus Gonzales of Dallas TX, Mari Lares and partner Marco Perez of Odessa TX, Arabela Flores and husband Saul Flores of Andrews TX, Herminio Armendariz and wife Gloria of Kermit TX, Elinardo Armendariz and wife Tomasa of Wink TX, Manuel Garcia and wife Connie of San Angelo TX. He also leaves behind 33 Grand children, 78 Great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. He is preceeded in death by his parents Eugenio and Calixtra Aranda, his wife Elvira Aranda, and stepson Heriberto Armendariz.
He will be greatly missed.
A Visitation will be held Friday, March 7,2025, McNett Funeral Home from 1:00 PM-8:00 PM. A Funeral Service will take place on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at La.Nueva Jerusalem Church, at 2:00 PM in Andrews, TX. Interment will follow immediately at the Andrews North Cemetery.
Arrangements are entrusted to the personal care of McNett Funeral Home.