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Joe A. Parras, age 84, a resident of Albuquerque since 1961, died peacefully with his family in attendance and under hospice care on Wednesday, March 26, 2008. He was preceded in death by his wife Helen (Garcia) Parras. They were raised and met while attending elementary school in Clayton, New Mexico. He is survived by three sons: Bill Parras and wife, Lydia of Albuquerque; Ken Parras and wife, Janice of Los Lunas; and Mark Parras of Albuquerque. He is survived by two grandsons: Jeffrey and Jonathan Parras; five granddaughters: Melissa Parras, Rachel Garcia and husband, Carlos; Melanie Hahn and husband, Aaron; Alisa Smith and husband, Erik; Susan and Chaline Parras; and three great grandchildren: Kristelle Parras, Wyatt Hahn, and Isaiah Garcia; and many other close relatives. He was very proud of serving his country as a highly decorated World War II veteran who served in the Army Air Corp and U.S.A.F. as a gunner on the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberator and B-29 Superfortress in Europe, Libya, Philippines and Okinawa. While in combat, various aircraft that he flew on were shot down numerous times and after one mission he was rescued on an island in the Pacific Ocean after being MIA for 30 days. After receiving an honorable discharge from the military, he returned to Albuquerque worked and retired as a local trucker for both Navajo and ABF Freight Systems. Mr. Parras was very devoted to his wife for almost 50 years and would often reminisce about their wonderful experiences with their family and numerous fishing trips. Mr. Parras was a loyal member of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church for 47 years and a long time member of the Grandparents Are Indeed Necessary (GAIN) organization that championed grandparent rights. Mr. Parras will be most remembered for his love and support of his family, preparing delicious meals, and his contagious sense of humor. A Rosary will be recited Sunday, March 30, 2008, 5:00 p.m. at French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. N.E. with Deacon Andy Chavez reciting. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 31, 2008,10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, Lomas at Tennessee, with Monsignor Richard Olona Celebrant. Interment will be held at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VistaCare Foundation, Attn.: Ms. Diana Kazola, 5639 Jefferson St. N.E., Albuquerque, NM 87109. French Mortuary, Inc. 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE (505) 275-3500 www.frenchmortuary.com
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