Roger Aragon

Roger Conrad Aragon

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, Son, Brother, Friend

Roger was born April 22, 1930, the youngest child of Benedict Aragon Sr. and Sophia Martinez Aragon and brother to Evangeline Saavedra, Marcy Martinez, Ben Aragon Jr. and Harold Aragon. His birthplace was Bellvue, CO, but by the age of 4 years old he and his family had settled in Denver.

Roger learned early in life the necessity and value of hard work. He often recalled how his dad would wake him and his brother Harold extra early on a school morning to help perforate pipe if there was an emergency water well repair to be taken care of. Harold working the lathe and Roger, the drill press. Saturday was their regular full day of work.

Later he would spend two years helping his mom care for an aunt and uncle’s farm during the war. Often reflecting, “That was hard work,” especially given the fact he had to swiftly learn on the job a whole set of entirely brand new skills. It was also from this time on the Trudell farm that he had both fond and sad memories of his cousin Larry’s beautiful colt that was lost and later found passed away. And it was here at age 14 when his appendix ruptured one night with his only help being his mother’s wise advice of how to lay throughout the night to minimize the pain and I’m certain, her unceasing prayers. In the morning, his dad unexpectedly, but miraculously arrived to check on everything. After a car ride with warmed and wrapped bricks at his feet, he arrived at Mercy Hospital in Denver where the priest bluntly told young Roger, “The Lord spared you for a reason. I don’t know what that reason is.” (At this point in the retelling, we enjoyed reminding our dad that obviously the reason was us -- his wonderful eight kids and thirteen beautiful grandkids.)

Eventually, Roger traveled with his dad and oldest brother Ben to drill water wells in Montana. It was there, at age 21 in May 1951 when he was drafted into the Army. He was stationed in Eschwege, Germany where he served as an Auto Mechanic. He had told us how he and his buddies would warm their coffee on top of the Jeeps’ hot engines. However, it was only recently that we learned of another fun memory testifying to his undeniably practical nature. On a trip heading out of town, he had similarly placed a can of pork and beans on the engine to warm up along the way. Unfortunately, the can exploded just as they reached the edge of town. But always looking on the bright side, he remembered that “it sure smelled good.”

He made the most of this experience, advancing to corporal, making strong friendships and fully enjoying the sights of Germany and Paris before his discharge in late April 1953. Upon returning home, he swiftly and proudly purchased his dad a light green Dodge with skirts. After suddenly losing his dad just one month later, he found himself taking over his father’s financial responsibilities and caring for his sweet mom, Sophia. By 1956, my dad along with his brother Harold, began working at a new aviation plant not far from home. It was precisely all those well-honed skills learned and developed while working for their dad that easily qualified them for their good jobs at Sundstrand Aviation. My dad worked in Quality Control for just over 40 years.

Roger managed to save and make plans to purchase a new home for his mother and himself. The basement of the new home provided just the right space for many fun dance parties - including one in particular, after which he came across a broken record of the popular song La Bamba - someone apparently having tired of all the repeat playing. This would also be the era of one of his favorite automobiles, a copper and cream ‘56 Chevy Bel Air hardtop.

In due time, Roger met the love of his life, Bessie Sisneros at a good friend’s wedding. He, the best man and her, the maid of honor. It would take a little longer before these two good-looking and popular individuals would officially unite in holy matrimony on October 26, 1963. But eight children, thirteen grandchildren and 57 ½ years later -- there’s no doubt they succeeded in making and keeping a lasting connection.

Fast forwarding a bit, our dad and mom became a dream team in handling the joys and trials of life: providing a loving home for their four boys (Dave, Paul, Matt and Josh) and four girls (Aimee, Melissa, Melinda and Amber) all while working overtime and extra jobs; maintaining a beautiful yard and home; handling the adventuresome ones; creating memories for all of us on yearly camping trips; road trips to CA, Wyoming, New Mexico and South Dakota; providing us all with the opportunity of parochial education; taking us to Mass; continual family gatherings and celebrations; making every holiday extra special…the list is endless.

Our dad never retired from being our go-to guy. Need a good used car, need to find a good place to live, need to find just the right piece of used furniture, need a piece of furniture restored, need a detailed map drawn of downtown or the tech center or anywhere, need just the right outfit, need to go get stitches again (that one’s for my brother Paul), need a listening/understanding ear, need some solid advice, need prayer, a ride to or from the airport, a playhouse hauled, need anything repaired, need to plan a party, need repeated last minute runs to the downtown post office in order to get scholarship applications postmarked by midnight, need to be helped out of a situation of your own making, need a delicious treat, need cheering up, need a good laugh? Again the list is endless. He was simply always at the ready to help you tackle any one of life’s many problems. It’s as if that was perhaps his true purpose in life - to be a friend to all who knew him.

I think part of his secret was his deliberate choice to always see the good in people and the good in life, despite the challenges or the flaws. He knew that there was always much to be grateful for, much to enjoy and much to share.

I am so blessed that God designed it that after years and years of my dad helping me, meeting my needs and supporting my dreams, my dad inadvertently gave me the gift of being able to finally slow down enough to be there for him. And in doing so, receiving the gift of maturing in my ability to clearly see and fully appreciate his talents, accomplishments and steadfast character and faith.

Our dad was not a perfect man; yet even with his weaknesses, he somehow managed to always be a willing vessel for God to impact others through his hands and heart.

God granted our father a full and joyful life. Indeed, we were blessed to celebrate him on his 91st milestone only a few short weeks ago. And what did he do? He gathered all of his mental, physical and emotional strength to bless us by expressing his love, humor and gentleness to each of us individually one more time, just for good measure.

Even while confronting the difficult process of aging and dying, our dad continually chose patience, grace, and humor. He finished the race well -- with strength, peace, dignity and valor.

We thank you Lord Jesus for helping our dad Roger model a life of sacrifice, compassion, joy, generosity, and love -- blessing us with the infinite dividends.

Survived by his loving spouse, Maria and eight children: Dave (Timmie) and their children Jackson, Lucas, Kendall, Nico; Paul (Yolanda) and their daughter Isabel; Matt, Aimee (Lance) and their daughter Esther; Melissa and her son Louis; Josh (Mindy) and their children Asher, Georgia, and Beau; Melinda and her children Nehemiah, and Selah; and Amber (Koji) and their son Ezekiel. Roger is also survived by his sister Evangeline Saavedra, sister-in-law Shirley Aragon, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pre-deceased by father Benedict Aragon Sr. and mother Sophia Martinez Aragon and siblings: Ben Aragon Jr., Harold Aragon, and Marcela Martinez.

The family invites everyone to a Visitation on Tuesday May 11, 2021 at 5:00 PM at Horan & McConaty, 7577 W. 80th Ave., Arvada, CO 80003. At 6:00 PM a Vigil Service will begin, followed by the Recitation of the Rosary starting at 7:00 PM. The family also invites everyone to a Funeral Mass on Wednesday May 12, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Shrine of St. Anne's Catholic Church. Following the Mass please feel welcome to join the family for a time of informal visiting in the neighboring Olde Town Arvada park and coffee shops. Due to limited space the family has requested that the Graveside Service be private. Following the Graveside Service please rejoin the family for a reception being held at Horan & McConaty 7577 W. 80th Ave., Arvada, CO 80003 beginning at 3:00 PM to 5:00PM.