Charles B. Archuleta

Charles B. Archuleta, age 99, passed away July 9, 2020, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  He was born December 25, 1920 to Eugenio Archuleta and Prisillana Tejada in Des Moines, New Mexico.   He served in the United States Army from 1942 - 1945 and honorably discharged at the rank of Captain. Charles received 2 Purple Hearts, Bronze Star, Battlefield Commission of Captain, Prisoner of War, WWII Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Marksman Badge with Rifle Medal, Julilee of Liberty Medal, European African Meddle Eastern Campaign Medal,and and an Honorable Service Label Button. He graduated from the University of New Mexico with a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering - 1950.  He married Belda E. Cisneros on October 12, 1971.  Charles was a member of the V.F.W.; Society of Professional Engineers , as well as Church of the Incarnation in Rio Rancho.

Charles was preceded in death by his father, Eugenio Archuleta; mother, Priscillana Tejada; sister, Juanita Castillo; daughter, Cindy Archuleta.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Belda E. Archuleta of Rio Rancho; children, Andrea and Robert Morales of Dallas, TX, Anita and Randy Hodges of White Rock, NM; Charles and Sherri Archuleta of Tampa, FL, Leslie and Linda Archuleta of Sarasota, FL, Eileen Moorman of Jackson, MS; brothers and sisters-in-law, Louis and Olda Archuleta of Panama, Joe E. and Desdie Archuleta of Alexandria, VA; grandchildren, Diego and Gabrielle Morales, Elisa and Rocco Quintana, Brandon and Isabella Hodges, Terra and Bryan, Jamus and Eva, Helena and Shane; 9 great-grandchildren.

Charles, aka “Grumpy”, was a man who took pleasure in simple things.  He enjoyed sitting outside looking at the beautiful New Mexico Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande River drinking his cup of coffee.  He loved meeting new people and never met a stranger.  One could often find him at his favorite Dunkin Donuts sitting at the counter with a cup of coffee, a donut hole, and a newspaper. He called this his office. I even remember driving by and seeing his red truck parked out front.  He always told his family that there was nothing he couldn’t fix but a broken heart… and he never stopped trying.

My father was a self-made man.  His father died when he was just a boy of 10 years old. 

He helped his mother to raise his 3 younger siblings & tend to the “man of the house” responsibilities, all before being able to formally start his own education and personal endeavors.  He was drafted into the World War II, was captured and became a prisoner of war. He shared with me a story that he spent his 21st birthday as a prisoner and the soldier watching over him brought him a little cake as he was actually a German who lived in the US in El Paso but was drafted to the War on the Germany side.  We will never quite know all that our father endured during that war, but we know that it only made him stronger and more determined. He came back to the US and went to college at the University of New Mexico where he became a civil engineer. He was a man who accomplished many things in his life. He retired from the Army Corp of Engineers after 35 years, and he became a full-time investor for rental properties. Archuleta Rentals was born and that kept him busy until we told him he could no longer climb on roofs to fix things at the age of 92. He taught us how to mow lawns, fix cars, paint houses, negotiate deals with his clients, and so much more. I don’t know many men that embark on being a father in their early fifties, much less walk their daughters down the aisle at 80 years old. I recall the many trips he and my mother would take with us all the way into his early nineties. He insisted on driving until he was 96 when we took his keys away. He insisted that he was just going up the hill to Wendy’s to get a little snack. He took pride in all he did from his many cars to his beautiful casita which had the million-dollar view of the mountains, the Bosque, and the river. He was happy just sitting there watching the people walk along the river, chatting on his cell phone, and drinking a cup of coffee.  He was not a man who usually said a lot to us when it came to matters of the heart.  However, he seemed to find that perfect time to just share with us what we needed to hear to have the strength to make whatever decision was weighing on our hearts. 

We will miss you pops. Your legacy will live on in all of us.  We will always remember you saying to us, “Turn a disadvantage into an advantage”.  May you be resting now with all of our loved ones who have passed before you.  May you be taking long walks, dancing, talking with everyone, and sitting under a tree on a beautiful sunny day eating a piece of watermelon.  We are eternally grateful for your life and for being blessed to have you as our father.  

Recitation of the Rosary will begin 7:00 PM, August 6th, Church of the Incarnation, 2309 Monterrey Rd. NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144.  Mass will be held Friday, August 7, 2020, 9:30 AM, Church of the Incarnation, 2309 Monterrey Rd. NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144.  Because of regulations imposed by the State of New Mexico due to the Coronavirus, Santa Fe National Cemetery will conduct a Private interment for Charles.