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TAPIA -- Modesto Tapia Sr., 75, went home to be with his loving Savior on Wednesday, May 26, 2004, at 5:00 am., at Presbyterian Hospital. He was born on March 25, 1929 to Felipe Rosendo Tapia and Mela Gallegos Tapia from Santa Fe, formerly of La Mesa de Los Cabos. Modesto was married August 5, 1950 at St. Francis Cathedral in Santa Fe to Mary Lou Tapia. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Lou Tapia; daughter, Zandra L Tapia Rise and Jim Watts; son, Modesto J. Tapia and life-partner, Cathy Galvan; son, Gerald P. Tapia and wife, Amy; and daughter, Lorraine M. Tapia; as well as his grandchildren, Matthew and Michael Rise, Ryan and Cheryl Tapia and Elena and Lorenzo Tapia; his mother, Mela Tapia; his eight brothers and sisters; and numerous nieces and nephews. Modesto attended Agua Fria Elementary from 1935-1940, where he participated in Cub Scouts, Our Lady of Guadalupe from 1940-1942, where he participated in the Basketball and Boxing teams, and St. Michael's High School from 1942-1944 while he worked at Slade Dairy delivering milk. After 10th grade his house burned down so he began working after school parking cars and in an auto body shop during the evenings, eventually working full time. He joined the National Guard in 1948, was inducted in 1950 and served two years in Korea. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Master Sergeant, Tank Battalion Leader-Convoy Retrieving. Upon returning from Korea, he managed Closson & Closson Auto Body Shop and moved to Albuquerque in 1959. He worked as an auto body repairman for 44 years, receiving "Employee of the Year" for three consecutive years. After retiring in 1991, he worked as a school crossing-guard until May 25, 2004. Rosary will be recited Monday, May 31, 2004, at 4:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, Lomas Blvd. Chapel. Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, June 1, 2004, at 9:00 a.m., at The Shrine of St. Bernadette, 11401 Indian School Rd. NE. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m., at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Friends may visit French Mortuary, Lomas Blvd. Chapel, Monday, May 31, 2004, from 2:30 p.m. until time of rosary. French Mortuary 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE 275-3500
        Published on: Sun May 30, 2004