Donald Candelaria

Donald Robert Candelaria was born Feb. 18, 1940, in Blanco, where he lived with his parents Pablo and Eulogia Candelaria, along with five brothers and three sisters.
He moved to Aztec in 1954, where he graduated from Aztec High School in 1959. As a young man, he loved drag racing on the bluffs overlooking Farmington and working on and collecting cars.
In 1960, Donald married Florence Wroten and during their 40 year marriage they had two children, Tony and Donna.
Donald spent most of his time either in Blanco or on his ranch in Santo Niño. He enjoyed spending his Saturdays nights playing cards with family and friends and attending his grandchildren's sports events. Donald loved the outdoors and enjoyed exploring old ruins with family and friends on ATVs.
Donald is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Pablo Leopoldo Candelaria, Jr., Orlando Candelaria and his sister Ophelia Montoya.
Donald passed away in Blanco on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at the age of 74.
He survived by his son Tony, his daughter-in-law Sherry and their three children, Cerissa (Derek) Bailey, Tyler and Trevor Candelaria. He is also survived by his daughter Donna Jaramillo; his son-in-law Jimmy and their children, Jeric and Devin Jaramillo; his sisters, Cruzelia (Pat) Montoya and Mercedes Skidmore (Jay); and his sister-in-law Genevieve Candelaria; his brothers, Fidel Candelaria, Paul Michael (Belinda) Candelaria, Nick (Carmen) Candelaria and numerous nieces and nephews.
He also leaves behind an extended family which includes; companion Terry Codling, her children Tina (Eleana) Codling, Brooke (Danny) Nelson and their children, Corbin, Katie, Cassidy, Caleb and Kaiden Nelson, Michael (Rosie) Gonzales-Montoya their children, Sean, Victoria (daughter Olive) and Annie.
A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on today at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church off US Highway 64 in Blanco.
A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Blanco. Burial will follow the Mass in the Blanco Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Tyler and Trevor Candelaria, Jeric and Devin Jaramillo, Derek Bailey, Dale Montoya, Corbin, Caleb and Kaiden Nelson.
Honorary Pallbearers are Abe Sanchez, Tony Herrera, Paul Valasquez, Ike Lucero, Harry Jaquez, Marcelino Martinez, Anthony Gomez, Terrence Archunde, Nick Chavez, Damian Gonzales, Ernest Valencia and Robert DeYapp.
Donald's care is entrusted to Cope Memorial Chapel, 404 W. Arrington St. in Farmington, 505-327-5142. Those who wish to express their condolences may do so at www.serenityandcompany.com http://www.serenityandcompany.com.