Ernesto Jimenez

Ernesto Jimenez, 93, of La Junta, passed
away on October 21, 2015 at the Arkansas Valley Regional Nursing Care Center in
La Junta. He was born on June 26, 1922 Antonio & Ofilia (Chavez) Jimenez in
Hot Springs, New Mexico. He married Theva Keahey on December 28, 1982.
 
He graduated from Las Cruces, New Mexico
high school in 1942. After graduation he joined the Army in 1942, were he was a
member of the 1st Army Airborne Artillery, 7th Company,
he was a WWII Veteran and fought for his country in Normandy, Northern France,
Battle of the Bulge and Central Europe. He received a Silver Star, Heroic
Bronze Star and five Purple Hearts. He also received several WWII campaign
medals. Upon his discharge he attended New Mexico State University, where he
graduated with a Master’s degree in Language and Education in 1951, he then
went to receive an Electrical Engineering degree in 1952 and then received his
Doctorate degree in 1970 in Educational Administration.
 
He was employed by Physical Science Lab
Space program and White Sands Missile Range for 22 years. He then was an
elementary principal in Greeley, CO, Magdalena, NM, and also Bellcourt, ND.
Ernesto also served as a director of bi-lingual education with East Otero BOCES.
Upon his retirement in 1983 he continued to substitute teach for La Junta and
Swink school district.
 
His greatest joy was the time he spent
volunteering, he also served on the Board of Directors for Otero Junior
College, Child Development Migrant Services, La Junta Housing Authority,
Tri-County Housing, Gideon’s, and First Baptist Church. He also had the
distinguished honor of receiving the La Junta Chamber of Commerce Community
Service Award, La Junta Chamber of Commerce Sunshine Award and most recently
the Army Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
 
 

He is survived by his wife, Theva of La
Junta home; daughter, Patricia (Krishna Seshan) Jimenez of Minneapolis, MN;
sons, David Jimenez of El Paso, TX; Kyle (Gayle) Keahey of Round Rock, TX and
their children, Ryan, Kevin, and Beth; Erik (Renea) Keahey of La Junta and
their children, Kimberly (Matt) Favinger and Courtney Keahey; Brian Keahey of
La Junta; and Sean (Michelle) Keahey of Fort Collin, CO and their children,
Josh and Amber; brothers, Eli Jimenez of Oregon City, OR; Charles (Linda)
Jimenez of Albuquerque, NM; sisters, Josephine Stassinos of California;
Elizabeth Romero of Santa Fe, NM; also survived by his special nieces &
nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Antonio, David, William
and infant brothers, Ernest and Eli; sisters, Ruth and Ninfa.


In lieu of flowers memorial contributions
may be made to the First Baptist Church La Junta or the Gideon’s International,
PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN, 37214-0800 direct or through the funeral home.



 
 
 

 

A memorial service will be held Friday, October
30, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Church of the Nazarene with Dr. Rex William
of the First Baptist Church and Reverend Ron Skorick of the First Christian
Church officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Fairview Cemetery in La Junta
with military honors by the Rocky Ford Rifle Team, American Legion Post #8.