JOSE ROEL VELIZ Sr.

JOSE ROEL VELIZ, SR. Mueller's Greenlee Funeral Home Jose Roel Veliz, Sr., died peacefully at home in the presence of his wife and children on January 21, 2019. Jose was a Pasco, Washington resident since 1984. "Roy", as he liked to be called by all his friends and relatives, was born on July 4, 1939 in Hargill, Texas. He was born to Apolinar and Genoveva Veliz right on the 4th of July. Roy lost his father at a very early age and his mother later remarried. His parents later moved to Edin-burg, Texas, where Roy lived most of his adolescent years. During his adolescent years, Roy attended various schools in Edinburg, Texas. He was also a military veteran who was honorably discharged from the Navy. On November 19, 1959, Roy married the love of his life, Miss Josefina Rodriguez. In March of 1960, he and his wife migrated to Washington State looking for a better life and future for him and his wife and his future children. In the beginning, he and his wife and children would migrate annually from Texas to Washington and back to Texas. Eventually, he and his wife ended up with four well-behaved children, one son and three daughters. The children in order are: Jose Veliz, Jr., Cindy Veliz, Deborah, "Debbie" Veliz and Elizabeth Veliz. In 1964, he and his wife decided to make Othello, Washington their permanent home. In the same year, he also decided to quit migrating and working in the fields and entered Moller's Barber College in Yakima, Washington to obtain his barber certificate. Roy graduated from Moller's Barber College in March of 1965. He was a self-employed barber in Othello from 1965 to 1982. Roy was forced to change his occupation from barber to insurance agent when he developed carpal tunnel in his right thumb. Roy went to insurance school, graduated and received his insurance agent certificate in 1982. In 1983, Roy started his insurance agent career with Farmers Insurance here in Pasco. In 1984 he moved his family from Othello to Pasco to be close to his work. He worked with Farmers from 1983 until his retirement in 2007. Roy was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed watching boxing matches on TV and spending quality time with his wife, his kids and grandchildren during family cookouts. He and his wife enjoyed gambling in their retirement and would spend a few weekends a year gambling at the Wildhorse or Legends Casino. Roy is survived by his loving and faithful wife, Josefina, of 59 years; one son, Jose R. Veliz, Jr. of Pasco; two daughters, Cindy Alaniz (Bobby) of Pasco and Elizabeth Veliz of Pasco. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. The grandchildren are: Priscilla Ayala, Michael Veliz, Michelle Veliz, Adrian Alaniz, Steven Veliz, Anthony Lozano, Troy Veliz and Nicole Veliz. The great grandchildren are: Arianna Naef, Isaiah Gonzalez, Evelynn Hawkins, Sophia Alaniz, and Royce Alaniz. Roy was preceded in death by his father, Apolinar Veliz; his stepfather, Alvaro Soto; two sisters: Graciela Reyes and Minerva Torres; his mother, Genoveva Soto and one daughter, Deborah Veliz. There will be a viewing of Mr. Veliz from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on January 28, 2019 at Mueller's Greenlee Funeral Home located on Court Street here in Pasco. A rosary for him will be conducted following the viewing. The rosary hours are from 6pm to 7pm. A memorial mass will be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2019. The mass will take place at 11:00 am at Saint Patrick's Catholic Church located at 1320 W. Henry Street, Pasco, WA. Internment will take place at the Pasco City View Cemetery immediately following the mass service. There will be a reception following the graveside service at the Saint Patrick's Catholic Church.