Obituary: Arthur H. Espitia

Arthur H. Espitia

Arthur H. Espitia

Arthur H. Espitia, 90, of Prescott, Ariz., departed this life Saturday, June 14, 2014, at the Prescott VA Hospital. He was born Monday July 9, 1923, to Jose and Nicandra Espitia in Prescott.

Art attended Lincoln Elementary and Prescott Junior High School. He worked at the Bagdad and Jerome mines prior to joining the United States Navy Aug. 24, 1943.

While serving his country, he was sent to Pearl Harbor to assist with the cleanup of the devastation. After being honorably discharged from the Navy on Dec. 6, 1945, he returned home to Prescott, where he was employed at the Iron King Mine for a brief period, until being hired to work for the City of Prescott in August of 1946.

He retired after 40 years in December of 1986. He loved his job and the many people he worked with and for.

His hobbies included hunting, fishing, camping, cooking, and most of all wagering on the horses at Prescott Downs and Matt's Saloon O.T.B.

His greatest pride and joy are his six children, three daughters-in-law, two sons-in-law, numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews who helped him through his journey until he went home to his Lord.

He is preceded in death by his parents; wife Beatrice; brothers Marcelino, Frank and Walter; sisters Sally Posos, Anita Acosta, Josie Gallegos and Irene Sanchez; and grandsons Rudy Espitia and Russell O'Brien. He is survived by his children, Mary (Larry) Salas, Arthur (Cheryl) Espitia, Margaret (Richard) Ybarra, Robert Espitia, Richard (Barbara) Espitia and Steve (Carol) Espitia; brother Rudy Espitia; sisters Jenny Duran, Jessie Poblano, Clara Tafoya, Mercy Lara and Esther Mendibles; 15 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. with Rosary at 7 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at Heritage Memory Mortuary, 131 Grove Ave., Prescott. There will be a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 19, 2014, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 150 Fleury Ave., Prescott. Inurnment with military honors will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2014, at the Prescott National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Art's name to the Northern Arizona VA Hospice 500 N. Highway 89, Prescott, AZ 86313.

Please visit www.heritagemortuary.com to sign Art's online guestbook. Services entrusted to Heritage Memory Mortuary.

Information provided by survivors.


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