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passed away, surrounded by family, on May 12, 2015 at Banner Baywood Hospital in Mesa, Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ignacia ‘Nacha’ Velez.
He was born on Feb. 6, 1941 in Sonora, Arizona. Jesus was drafted into the US Army in January 1964, and served two years of active duty at Fort Lewis in Washington.
Jesus lived in Los Angeles for about 25 years before moving back home and spending the remainder of his life, in Superior, Arizona and was employed as a Security Guard for Omya.
He enjoyed reading, watching old Western shows, walking in the mountains in Superior, and visiting with family.
Jesus was survived by his three children, Laura Johnson, Jesus Velez, and Jennifer Velez; nine grandchildren, Kevin, Heather, Sarah, Penelope, Autumn, Jesse, Heidi, Emmett, and Zebulun; and two great-grandchildren. Jesus is also survived by his two sisters, Dora Villaverde (Ignacio) and Diana Navarrette; a brother, Tony Fuentes; girlfriend, Marcella Duarte; and many nieces and nephews.
There will be a Memorial Service in Superior, Arizona on Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, with a luncheon to follow at the St. Mary Center. He was so loved by his family and friends and will be missed.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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