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Cleofes Tapia, 85, died Friday, November 4, 2005 at the VA Hospital in Albuquerque. Cleofes was born in La Liendre, NM; Aug. 1, 1920 but lived most of his life in Albuquerque. He joined the US Army in 1941 and was sent to basic training in Cheyenne, WY. He was one of 10,000 troops who traveled to Watton, England by way of Glasgow, Scotland on the Queen Mary, which had been converted to a troop ship during WWII. While stationed in the UK, he drove the 8th Air Force fighter pilots from their base to the airstrip. After leaving the military, he married Evangeline (Vangie) Gonzales in 1945 in Las Vegas, NM. They had three children. Their daughter Betty Rolando preceded him in death in 2003. He is survived by his wife, Vangie; son, Ernesto and his wife, Maria; and son, Felix and his wife, Melanie, all of Albuquerque. Cleofes retired from Albuquerque Public Schools in 1982. Cleofes and Vangie were blessed with 13 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held Monday, November 7, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. in the chapel of Fitzgerald and Son. All arrangements are under the care and direction of: Fitzgerald and Son Funeral Directors 3113 Carlisle Blvd. NE 884-1188
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