Celso Armijo

1927-2016 Celso Armijo, age 89, passed away after a long illness on November 15, 2016. He was born on May 10, 1927 in Pueblitos, NM. He was a lifelong resident of Pueblitos, south of Belen. Celso was a kind and gentle soul and a well-known farmer who harvested alfalfa, raised sheep and cattle. He also participated with the Valencia County Sheriff's posse for many years. Celso retired from Belen Consolidated Schools in 1991 after 33 1/2 years of service where he taught third grade students at Jaramillo Elementary School. He was famous among Jaramillo alumni for demonstrating how to shear sheep and teaching classes on how to weave tiny blankets from the wool. He was a veteran of the Korean War, where he was a Corporal and earned the Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars, and United Nations Service Medal. A man of many talents, Celso also served as a barber to his fellow infantrymen while on the field. Celso was a member of Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church as well as the San Isidro Mission Church in Pueblitos, where he and his sister served as Mayordomos for many years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ricardo Benito and Flora Abeyta Armijo; sisters, Andrea Armijo, Rebecca Catalina Armijo, Lucia Armijo, Rosenda Martinez and husband, Marcos; brother, Fidel Armijo; and brother-in-law, Arthur Tanaka. Celso is survived by his sister, Margaret Tanaka of Redondo Beach, CA; sister-in-law, Clara Armijo of Albuquerque; his nieces and nephews and their families, Vangie Martinez, Jerry (Eva) Martinez, Monico (Kathy) Martinez, Ramón (Betty) Martinez, Joe (Anna) Martinez, Irene (Donald) Garcia, Bernadette Martinez, Flora Hendren, Martin Armijo, Ruth Armijo, Pauline Tanaka-Kroeger, and Eric (Emily) Tanaka, along with many cousins. All services will be held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, on Friday, November 18th, beginning with a Viewing at 8:30 a.m., followed by a Rosary to be recited at 9:30 a.m., and a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens. The family would like to thank his long-time caregiver, Laura Romero, Ambercare Hospice, and the caregivers at Good Life Assisted Living and Memory Care. Please sign Celso’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St. Belen, NM.

Celso Armijo

May 10, 1927 - November 15, 2016