Felix Archuleta

Felix Archuleta, Sr, of Questa and a resident of Miners Colfax Medical Center, Raton, NM, passed away peacefully following an extended illness on Saturday, October 3, 2020.  Felix was born October 26, 1933, in Amalia, NM, to Epifanio Miguel and Mary Ruth Archuleta who have preceded him in death.  Felix is also preceded in death by his brothers Jerry, Cruz, Elivinio, Epifanio, and George, sisters Lucille Guerra and Lillian Duran, cousin and best friend Elias Miera, special aunt Salomé Martinez, and beloved friends Mary Arellano, José “Beto” Herrera, and Jake Tapia.  He proudly raised six children who he is survived by; Felix Jr “Tato”, Patsy (Lorenzo) Aceves, Raymond “Dino”, Denise (Edward) Vigil, Deborah Carrol, and Jamie (Renée).  Felix is also survived by brothers Jimmy (Dianna), and Rudy, sisters Mildred (Angelio) DeHerrera and Stella (Ben) Martinez, brother-in-law Gilbert Guerra, sister-in-law Nora Lozano, grandchildren Michelle, Lorenzo, Sonya, and Ruby, 7 great-grandchildren, godsons Lawrence “Lolo” Archuleta, Julian Salazar, and Bryan Salazar, goddaughter, Betty DeLatorre, and many other nieces, nephews, family and friends.  Felix was also instrumental and an important part of the lives of the late Mary Arellano and her daughters Angela, Leonora, and Velma, as well as their children and grandchildren, whom he considered as family.  Felix lived out his earlier years in Amalia, Cerro, Boone and Pueblo, Colorado, Eagle Nest, and Ranchos de Taos.  Felix later moved back to where he considered home in Cerro and Questa.  In July 2012, and after many years of hard work, he became a resident of Miners Colfax Medical Center, Raton, NM, where he succumbed to his battle with dementia.  A hard worker his entire life, he left school early to support his family, from his early years, working the potato fields in southern Colorado and later making his career in mining throughout Colorado and New Mexico at NORAD, Navajo Dam, and finally retiring from Molycorp Mine, Questa and Summitville Mine, Del Norte, Colorado.  He was also an entrepreneur and co-owned and operated several restaurants in Questa, Eagle Nest, and Ranchos de Taos. Felix enjoyed fishing, all sports, family visits, and expressed joy with both prayer and music.  Felix was a humble, yet strong and resilient man (by many, he was considered the strongest man who ever worked for Molycorp), and he was loved and respected by everyone who knew him.  He will be forever missed.  The family is forever grateful to Miners Colfax Medical Center (Long Term Care) who provided 24-hour care to Felix for over 8 years, and who effectively also became an extended family to Felix and his family.  There are too many staff members to list, as each one of them played an important part in providing love and care to Felix.  The family also would like to thank St. Anthony’s Parish, the Reverend Andrew Ifele and staff, Rivera Funeral Home, and all who visited and prayed for him during his illness.

Services with COVID-19 safe-practices and limited attendance will be held at Sagrado Corazon Catholic Church in Costilla, NM on Saturday, October 10, 2020, with Rosary commencing at 10:00am followed by Funeral Mass at 11:00am. Burial with COVID-19 safe-practices will follow at the Amalia Cemetery. Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home.  To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com