Arthur Lujan Jr

Lujan, Arthur

At the age of 66, Arthur Luján Jr. entered eternal life on June 8, 2018.

He is survived by his mother, Lucille O. Sterling; sister, Elizabeth J. Luján Arencón; nephew, Diego Arencón and niece Monica Arencón-Smith. He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Luján Sr. and his wife Betty Baca Luján.

Visitation and Rosary will be recited on Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at Garcia Mortuary, 717 Stover Ave SW, at 8:30 am. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Church, 309 Stover SW at 9:30 AM. Interment to follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery, 1900 Edith Blvd, NE Albuquerque, NM.

To view information or leave a condolence please visit www.danielsfuneral.com

Garcia Mortuary

717 Stover Ave. SW

Albuquerque, NM 87102

505-243-5222

ARTHUR LUJAN JR.

EULOGY

Most of you here today, know my brother’s life as a difficult journey, but I want to share with you a time when it was not, and the memories that bond me now to him.

It is only fitting that we gather here today in this church, Sacred Heart, in memory of my brother Arthur Lujan Jr, Nickname “Palomino” for his beautiful golden colored hair and hazel eyes.  For those of you who don’t know, this space was the Sacred Heart School Gym.  Like me, some of you here today have fond memories of Sacred Heart School. It was in this space, on these oak floors we stand on now where my mother and I so proudly watched my brother play basketball.  He would get so embarrassed hearing my mom yell “Mi Hito”- Go! Go! Mi Hito.”

Not only was he handsome, and a star basketball player, he was humble, kind and smart.  Always on “The Honor Roll,” and I admit, I was a bit jealous because no matter how hard I tried I never made the honor roll.

After school he worked bagging and carrying out groceries at Mike’s Grocery Store down the street, which today is The Barelas Event Center, where we will later hold the reception. While he worked, I ate chocolate candy bars…. You see our father was store manager, so candy lane was all mine.  When our father went into the grocery business for himself my brother worked along side him at Art’s Market in the South Valley.

Arthur shared the same passion for fishing as our father.  They would go on four-day fly fishing trips, but what I couldn’t understand at the time, was why they returned home with a sunburn but no fish. Now I know, it is called “catch & release.

While in high school he met, Betty Baca, his first girlfriend and the love of his life.  They dated and although they eventually separated their first love didn’t end there. Some 30 years later they reunited and married.  It was Ben Michael who brought them together.  I don’t know the details, but Ben Michael I want you to know that was the happiest time in my brother’s life, thank you.  Like many happy moments in my brother’s life that happiness was short lived, he lost the love of his life again, when she passed in January 2012.

Mis Hijos, Diego y Monica gave him his special name “Tutti,” because when they were very young they could not say “Tio or Tito.” He liked being the only uncle in the world called “Tutti.”

Now, as we all go through our own journeys in life, I ask that you take a minute and think of that one person who always is there for you.  The person that loves you unconditionally, who prays for you daily, who gives when no one else gives, who calls when no one else calls, and who cares when you feel no one else cares.  For my brother this person was and is my mom.  Their bond is unbreakable and the love she has for him everlasting.  Mom, you cared and loved Arthur (Tutti) unconditionally as a mother should.  You were his guardian angel here on earth.  Take comfort in knowing that he is at peace and no longer alone or suffering.  It is his time to watch over you, as your son, as your angel.

I love you mom.