Manuel Apodaca

Manuel Apodaca, 87, of Moriarty, NM passed away at his home on Friday, December 4, 2009 with his loving family beside him. Manuel was born on August 18, 1922 in Carrizo, NM to Emiliano and Maria C. (Garcia) Apodaca. Manuel lived, and raised his family, in Moriarty for the past sixty-one years, having previously lived in Encino, NM. He was a life time member of VFW, having served in the Army during World War II. He was awarded the Silver Medal, and the Purple Heart, with a total of fourteen medals. He married Lala, his loving wife of sixty years, on June 5, 1946 in Encino, NM. Manuel was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lala Apodaca; sons Manuel Apodaca Jr. and Alfonso Apodaca; and brothers, Hilario Apodaca, and Emiliano Apodaca Jr. He is survived by his sons, Albert and his wife, Frances, Larry and his wife, Victoria, Michael and his wife, Starla, and Fredrick and his wife, Linda; daughters, Vera Plant and her husband, Thomas, Nora Alexander and her husband, Richard, Jane Apodaca, Helen Apodaca, Rosalie Astorga and her husband, Johnny and Dorothy Tanuz and her husband Robert; brother, Onie Apodaca; sisters, Josie Gauna, Juanita Duran, Stella Anaya, Mary Herrera, Marie Peña, and Rebecca Apodaca; forty-two grandchildren and twenty-nine great-grandchildren. There will be a Rosary on Sunday, December 6, 2009 at 7:00PM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Moriarty, NM. The Funeral Mass will be on Monday, December 7, 2009 at 10:00AM also at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church with Fr. Kevin Iwuoha officiating. Burial will follow the Mass at the Catholic Cemetery in Moriarty, NM. Pallbearers will be Corey Plant, Marty Alexander, Larry Apodaca, Jr., Jayson Apodaca, Jonathan Nunez, James Alexander, Stephan Apodaca. Honorary Pallbearers will be All His Grandchildren.