Leopold Arko

Leopold "Leo" Arko Jr., 83, of Eagle Nest was called home by the Lord on December 20, 2006. Leo was born to Leopold and Marija "Mary" Arko on April 07, 1923 at the family home in the Moreno Valley, NM. In 1944 he joined the US Army and operated a tank in the European Theatre operations against the Nazi invasion of Europe. He returned to the US in 1945 and married Lorene Stocker on July 26, 1945. In January 1952 he returned to the Moreno Valley to help his parents on the Arko Farm. He was employed by the State of NM Highway Department and Colfax County Road Department. He helped build and maintain roads throughout Colfax County but primarily in the Moreno Valley. Leo was part of the team starting the Eagle Nest Volunteer Fire Department. He assisted in installing the antenna and electric lines for the TV repeater line that serves the Moreno Valley. When Leo was a youngster, he and his family helped build St. Mel's Catholic Church in Eagle Nest (all volunteer labor). He was preceded in death by his parents, 12 siblings and a daughter, Janet Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lorene Arko, children, Agnes Gibson (Scott), Anna Marie Pabst (Dennis), Ernie Arko (Barbara Lebeck), Michael Arko, William Arko, Leo Arko III (Barbara), Rita Butts (Mike), Nina Arko-Hay (Kenneth Rowlison) and David Arko (Doris). He is also survived by his brother, Louie Arko, son in law, Richard Johnson, many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. Rosary will be recited on Friday, December 22, 2006 at 6 PM at St. Mel's Catholic Church in Eagle Nest. Funeral mass will be held on Saturday, December 23, 2006 at 1 PM at St. Mel's Church with interment to follow at E-Town Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family request you make donation to the All-Saints Catholic School, 2808 N. Kentucky, Roswell, NM 88201, 505-627-5744.