Jess J. Arredondo, longtime Flagstaff and former Kingman resident died peacefully at home on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. He was 86. Mr. Arredondo was born June 23, 1923 to Ponciano T. Arredondo and Carolina A. Arredondo in Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango, Mexico.
Jess graduated from Mojave County Union High School in 1943 and participated in football, basketball, and track. He married his classmate Katherine T. Acuña after graduating high school. Together they had two daughters Lenore and Priscilla Sue. He joined the army in 1945 and served in the occupational forces with the 43rd Engineer construction battalion in Japan. His work at the Santa Fe Railroad began in Kingman, Arizona and followed him to Seligman, Flagstaff, Glendale and back to Flagstaff, where like his father, Jess retired from the Santa Fe Railroad after 40 years of devoted service as a clerk in 1983. Jess deeply loved his family and centered his life on them. He was hardworking, honest and an avid sports fan.
He is survived by his wife Katherine of 65 years, sister Lucy Braithwait, brothers Joe Arredondo, Angel Arredondo and Art Arredondo, daughters Lenore Arredondo and Sue Wetzel (John), grandchildren Sherrine Short (Jerry), John Wetzel (Kari), and Justin Wetzel, great-grandchildren Dylan, Gabrielle, Jared, Jace, and Jadon. He will be greatly missed.
Services will be held in Flagstaff on Saturday, January 23, at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel at 3:00 p.m. Viewing and rosary will be in Kingman, Arizona at Sutton's funeral home located at 1701 Sycamore on Sunday, January 24, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. with a mass and graveside service in Kingman the following day Monday, January 25, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church.