Alfredo H Nevarez

Born – February 13, 1927

Place of Birth: La Mesa, New Mexico

Parents: Virginia Holguin and Willie A. Nevarez​

Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in La Mesa

A founder and member of the La Mesa Volunteer Fire Department – instrumental in the establishment of a Volunteer Fire Department Station in La Mesa

A founder and member of the La Mesa Recreation Club purchasing land for the recreational use of the citizens of La Mesa.

Instrumental in the establishment of the La Mesa Water Association and donation of land for its use.

Besides his community service and work, Alfredo’s faith and parish life inspired so many family and friends. Active Member of the Legion of Mary and Auxiliary member serving the Catholic Parish of San Jose. He served as a Lector and Usher for several decades and with others worked to the upkeep of the Parish grounds and building. When the bell tower originally constructed in the late 1800’s collapsed in the 1990’s, Alfredo worked with the bell tower restoration committee and the Diocese of Las Cruces to achieve a lasting restoration. Alfredo was instrumental in coordinating the management and upkeep of the San Jose – La Mesa Cemetery.

He served many years in the Annual parish fiesta, often serving as majordomo.

Alfredo was an outdoorsman at heart always preferring to be outdoors tending his garden and grounds. He was also an avid hunter and looked forward to an annual deer hunt in the Black Range near Winston, NM. Many in the community continue that tradition.

Alfredo and his wife, the late Dora Alvarez Nevarez, enjoyed the rural life afforded by the wonderful agricultural lands surrounding the town of La Mesa. Alfredo would tell many stories of the days before pecan orchards began to dominate the lands along the Camino Real, Highway 28 between La Mesa and the Town of Mesilla.

His roots go back to the first settlers of La Mesa, among them an immigrant from Germany, Jacob Applezoeller. Alfredo’s father, Willie, was a World War I veteran, and purple heart recipient who was a victim of the infamous mustard gas used by the enemy. Alfredo grew up at a time when the main method of transportation was horse and buggy and when people were too poor to own automobiles during the Great Depression.

Alfredo followed in his father’s footsteps in serving his country by enlisting in the Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served as a crew member on a sub-chaser in the Pacific fleet. He had so many wonderful stories about his time in the Navy. Following his honorable discharge, Alfredo attended barber school in San Antonio, Texas and then served the community of La Mesa as the local barber. Soon after, he joined the Federal work force at White Sands Proving Grounds where he served as Chief Inspector of Heavy Equipment for the Army. After 35 years of dedicated service, Alfredo retired. For the past several years, Alfredo and Dora enjoyed being lovingly cared for at the New Mexico State Veterans Home in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico.

Alfredo is survived by his children, Alfredo Nevarez Jr. and his wife June; Vivian Nevarez McKee, and Esther Nevarez Baca and her husband, Deacon Tom Baca; his brother David Nevarez; four grand children, Jennifer McKee Hernandez, Alex Nevarez, Joseph Baca, and Amanda Nevarez; six great grandchildren, Vivian Baez, Gillian Dominguez, Savannah Dominguez, Steven Hernandez, Joshua Baca, and Jovanni Baca. Alfredo was preceded in death by his wife Dora; his parents; and seven brothers and two sisters.

Calling hours for Mr. Nevarez, will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, October 1, 2018, at St. Therese Shrine of the Little Flower Catholic Church on the corner of Mildred and 4th Street, Albuquerque, NM, where the prayer vigil is scheduled at 7 p.m. The Holy Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Tuesday October 2, 2018 in the same church with Rev. Vincent Chavez officiating.

Internment will take place at a later date at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

FRENCH – Westside

9300 Golf Course Rd NW

505-897-0300