Rudy Archuleta Obituary

Former Bayfield resident Rudy Archuleta Sr. died Friday, Dec. 17, 2010, in Commerce City. He was one week shy of his 63rd birthday. While the cause of death is undetermined, Mr. Archuleta suffered from several health complications, including diabetes and a kidney transplant seven years ago.

He was born to Joe B. and Juanita Archuleta on Dec. 24, 1947, in Durango. Mr. Archuleta grew up in Bayfield and graduated from Bayfield High School in 1966.

In 1967, he married Eleanor Sage in Durango. The marriage later ended in divorce.

Mr. Archuleta worked for Owen-Corning Fiberglass in roofing manufacturing and at the National Stockyards.

In approximately 1990, he married Linda Canup in Denver.

Mr. Archuleta loved sports, playing softball and enjoying bowling. He coached Little League Baseball and women's softball. He was also a fan of the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies. Mr. Archuleta also enjoyed fishing and hunting.

Mr. Archuleta was preceded in death by his wife of 18 years, Linda Archuleta; and son Gilbert Archuleta.

He is survived by his son Rudy Archuleta Jr., of Seattle; daughter, Kathy Gonzales, of Lubbock, Texas; sisters Gloria Velazquez of Denver, Linda Fernandez of Commerce City and Theresa Rael of Alamosa; four grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 254 East Fifth Ave. Burial will take place afterward in the family plot at Crestview Cemetery, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 160 and Colorado Highway 172. Attendees will return to the Sacred Heart Parish Hall for fellowship and a potluck dinner.