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Prospero "PJ" Jaramillo passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 23, 2002, at the age of 96, with his family holding him, letting him know how special he was and how his family loved him. Prospero was born on March 10, 1905 in Old Town of Albuquerque to Abel and Oliva Jaramillo. He married Juanita (Jennie) Baca in 1933 and they were married for 65 wonderful years. Prospero graduated from Menaul High School in 1926. He attended the University of Southern CA and graduated from the University of NM in 1943. Prospero was an educator and taught school for 37 years, three years in Socorro, NM and 34 years with the Albuquerque Public Schools. He served as the first president of the Bernalillo County Public School Teachers Association. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church and served as Sunday school superintendent and teacher for many years. During his career he was active in the following: a Charter member of the Albuquerque Civil Rights Organization; a member and chairman of the United Nations UNICEF Program for Albuquerque; a Charter board member of the NAACP, and on the Board of Directors for Chaparral Home for Unwed Mothers. He enjoyed amateur acting and was involved in several productions with the Albuquerque Little Theater, UNM and USC. In 1940, he served as president of the Menaul School Alumni Association. In 1945, he was president of the Martineztown House of Neighborly Service. He retired from APS in 1970 and in 1979, he and Jennie moved to Belen, NM. He remained active in sports and was a member of the Senior Bowling Team, played golf weekly with his friends and served a term as president of the Tierra Del Sol Country Club Men's Golf Association of Belen. He was a representative for Valencia County and NM in the US National Senior Olympic Games in San Antonio, TX in 1995 and he was the oldest senior bowler competing in the Senior Olympics in NM in 1997, at the age of 90. He loved to write stories about his history and about his Spanish culture and traditions. He recently moved back to Albuquerque to be closer to his family. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jennie, on February 24, 1999; his parents; brothers, Clemente and Dennis Jaramillo; and sisters, Adelita and Esther Jaramillo and Alvita Saavedra. Prospero, known asť"PJ" to his many friends is survived by his son, James C. and his wife, Reyes of Puerto Vallarta, MX; daughters, Olivia and Judith of Albuquerque, Hazel and husband, Richard of Sausalito, CA; grandsons, Eddy Jaramillo and wife, Pat, Robert Jaramillo, Carl Martinez and wife, Angela, all of Albuquerque and Gary Martinez of Gilbert, AZ; great-grandchildren, Beth, Gabriel and Lena Martinez of Gilbert, AZ and Elijah and Sierra Martinez of Albuquerque; sister-in-law, Lillie B. Chavez; and many loving nephews, nieces, cousins and many friends. He touched so many lives in a special way and he will be missed by us all. Memorial services will be held Thursday, 4:00 p.m., at Second Presbyterian Church, 812 Edith NE, with Rev. Jaime O. Quinones officiating. Interment at Sunset Memorial Park will be private. Friends may visit French Mortuary, 1111 University Blvd. NE, Wednesday, 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Prospero requested donations be made to Menaul High School, 301 Menaul NE, 87107. Arrangements by French Mortuary, 1111 University Blvd. NE.
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