Benjamin Ernest Archuleta

Courtesy photo

+ Enlarge

Benjamin Ernest Archuleta

December 20, 1926 ~ October 26, 2021

Born December 20, 1926 and living independently until the last month of his life, Benjamin Ernest Archuleta lived for the better part of 95 years. He died October 26, 2021, at home, with all of the family that could gather at his bedside.

The first of nine children, Ben was born to Agapito and Altagracia Archuleta in Trujillo, Colorado. He was raised by his grandparents Chris and Assencion (Mary) Cordova. A significant turning point in life was when he learned to play guitar as a young boy. Music was his joy, his best and oldest friend.

WWII meant a call to serve in the Army in the Philippines islands that ended when the nuclear bombs were dropped on Japan in 1945. Those two years of life he relived often with strong emotion and details that would never leave his psyche.

February 10, 1946, on a snowy winter day, he married Madeline Martinez, and they began their family of five children: Evelyn (Gilbert) Ulibarri, Priscilla (Joseph) Quintana, Patricia Archuleta, Carol (Skip) Watts and Shelly (Matthew) Archuleta-Boyce. Their family grew to include 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and one new great-great-grandson. Ben and Madeline were married for 71 years at the time of her death in August 2018.

Ben’s happiness came from horseback riding, gardening, playing music, hunting and fishing. He was a unique man with a unique outlook in that he did not expect life to be easy, and he was truly grateful for what he had. He was tough as nails and lived without dread of hardship or fear of hard work. Each day was measured by what he and Madeline accomplished together.

We cannot begin to express our gratitude for the way he cared for our mom and for the energy he put into providing for his kids. We are particularly thankful that he showed us how to cope with the harsh realities of life, whistling when he was happy or sad, and planting enough green chili, peas and lemon cucumbers to share with family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Madeline, granddaughter Melanie, son-in-law Erwin (Skip) Watts, brothers Pete, Mark and Fred Archuleta and survived by his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandson, sisters Dolores Martines, Berlinda Archuleta and brother Rupert Archuleta.

A funeral Mass was celebrated Nov. 6 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Interment, Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery with lunch to follow.