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Obituary: Joaquin Muguiro

Joaquin Muguiro

Joaquin Muguiro

Joaquin Muguiro, 67, passed away peacefully on February 2, 2013 in Phoenix, Ariz. after a long battle with cancer. Joaquin was born on November 7, 1945, in a little town called Arraras in northern Spain, in the Basque Country, to Hermenegildo and Tomasa Muguiro-Ochandorena.

Joaquin was an altar boy from seven years to 16 years old. He loved to play a popular sport called pelota vasca as a young child, but his mother made him stop because he broke too many shoes. When he was 19 years old, his family moved to the town of Burlada. He worked as a bricklayer and served for the obligatory Army. When he finished his obligatory Army time, he came to the United States.

He arrived in Arizona in 1968 where he went to work for Jean Arriaga as a sheep herder. Joaquin was a man of many traits in his short life. He did masonry work for John and Kathy Aleman. He was an all around handyman, a carpenter, a timber faller and a great cook. His final job was with the Williams School District as a maintenance worker. He loved very much working around all the happy children that loved to greet him.

In 1983, he married Colleen Owens and became a wonderful step-dad and helped raise Jonna, Michael and Darcie. He loved to take the family camping at the Verde River. He would love to cook great dishes for all of those that were around. When Joaquin and Colleen divorced in 1990, he continued to stay in the lives of his step-children. He never had children of his own nor did he remarry. He continued his role as a step-dad until the day of his passing. He became a grandfather figure to Cody, Tyler and Faith Janelle Jensen; Rory Stewart and Tanner Parker.

Joaquin had a gentle soul that touched his family's lives deeply. He loved his sheep, his dogs Boy and Spike and loved being in the outdoors. He knew his life and knew what he wanted to accomplish.

He will be forever missed by many.

Joaquin is proceeded in death by his parents, Hermenegildo and Tomasa Muguiro-Ochandorena; step-daughter Jonna Davis and cousin Nina. He is survived by his two brothers Jose Miguel (Arantxa) and Jose Maria (Maria Jesus) of Spain, two nephews Mikel and Joxemary of Spain, step-daughter Darcie (Brian) Jensen of Williams, step-son Michael Parker of Texas, grandchildren Cody, Tyler and Faith Janelle Jensen of Williams, Tanner Parker of New Mexico and Rory Stewart of Utah. He is also survived by his 101-year-old uncle Jose of Spain and many cousins and friends.

Everyone that loved and cared for Joaquin is welcome to attend the graveside memorial service taking place Saturday, February 16, 2013, at 10 a.m. at the Williams Cemetery. Following the memorial service, we will have a celebration of life at the Sultana Theater until 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society in honor of Joaquin Muguiro. Arrangements are handled by Best Funeral Services of Peoria, Ariz.


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