George Romero, 87, of Flagstaff, died early Monday, April 5, 2010 at the Olivia White Hospice Home.

Mr. Romero was born June 2, 1922 in Lemitar, N.M. and arrived in Flagstaff in 1951 as a civilian security guard at Navajo Army Depot in Bellemont. He retired from the Depot as a police sergeant in the early 1980s and later retired from the new Walgreens Distribution Center in Flagstaff, where he helped develop a security system for controlled drugs.

During World War II, he served with the 6th Armored Division in Europe, notably the Battle of the Bulge following D-Day. He also served with the New Mexico National Guard to help train new recruits. Mr. Romero was a generous, giving person with an extraordinary zest for life and family.

He lives on in the hearts his wife of 64 years, Katie of Flagstaff; son Manny (Judith) of Sedona; daughter Cathy Spitzer (Paul) of Flagstaff; and grandchildren Annemari Romero and Joseph Spitzer of Flagstaff, and Camille Lewis (Mike) of Seattle, Wash.

One of seven siblings raised on a productive farm in central New Mexico, Mr. Romero is survived by sisters Kofa Zamora of Tucson, Vita Herrera of Albuquerque, several nieces and nephews, and countless friends old and new.

His many interests included carpentry, woodcutting, hunting, fishing, photography, and being there for friends and family. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Fraternal Order of Police, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion.

A holy rosary will be recited Wednesday, April 7, at 7:00 p.m. at Norvel Owens Mortuary Chapel, 914 E. Route 66 in Flagstaff.

Celebration of the Mass of Resurrection will be held Thursday, April 8 at 10 a.m. at San Francisco de Asís Parish, 2257 E. Cedar, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery with a military Honor Guard to commemorate his honorable service to his country.