Benjamin Gilbert Aragon, Jr.

Benjamin Gilbert Aragon, Jr., known as Gilbert, was born on December 9, 1941, to Benjamin, Sr., and Annie V. Aragon in Las Vegas, NM. He passed away surrounded by his loving and devoted family on Friday, July 7, 2023, in Albuquerque, NM and now rests peacefully in the arms of our Heavenly Father. He was preceded in death by parents, Benjamin, Sr., and Annie V. Aragon; his loving wife, Jeannette; his beloved grandmother, Mary E. Vigil; and other family members. Gilbert is survived by his sons, Lance Aragon and his wife, Christina; grand-daughters, Samantha Aragon; Jessika Gmachowski and husband, Sean; Ashleigh LeRoy and husband, Nathan and great-grandchildren, Alexandria, Lakai and Lance; and Kayla Childress-Aragon; Scott Aragon and wife, Stephanie; granddaughter, Meagan Aragon; and great- granddaughter, Kaylee Besaw; sisters, Irene Wildenstein and husband, Rudy; Margaret Aragon; Theresa Aragon; Barbara Montano; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.

Gilbert served a 4-year term in the US Air Force at Pease Air Force Base, New Hampshire and earned an Honorable Discharge. After his discharge and completion of Aviation school, Gilbert went on to dedicate 50 years of service to the Aviation Industry as an Airplane Mechanic and a Quality Control (QC) Inspector. During his career, he was employed with Post Aviation, Ross Aviation, Department of Energy, US Customs and Border Protection and retired from BODE Aviation after 11 years. Gilbert received several awards for Aviation Safety through Maintenance practices. The proudest honor in Gilbert's Aviation career was on July 9, 2018, when he received THE CHARLES TAYLOR "MASTER MECHANIC" Award. This award was presented for 50 years of dedicated service by the Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration in "recognition of his contribution to building and maintaining the safest aviation system in the world through practicing and promoting safe aircraft maintenance for 50 years." Gilbert was the 8th person in the World to receive such a prestigious Award.

Gilbert enjoyed spending time with family, fishing, camping and building model airplanes. He was a devout Christian, who deeply loved his Lord and Savior, every morning was devoted to reading his Bible and attended Church regularly until his passing.

A Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. with a Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 a.m., at Calvary Church, located at 4001 Osuna Rd. NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87109 followed by Burial at 2:30 p.m., in the Santa Fe National Cemetery, located at 501 N. Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe, NM, 87501 where Gilbert will be laid to rest.
Our family would like to give a huge "THANK YOU of APPRECIATION" to FRENCH FUNERALS AND CREMATIONS for their guidance and assistance in the preparation of bringing Gilbert to his final resting place. Please send flower arrangements to CALVARY CHURCH.