Patricio "Pat" Blea

Rosary services for Pat Blea will be held at 7:00 pm Sunday, July 28, 2013 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Mass will be held at 10:00 am Monday, July 29th at the church with Father Paul Nkumbi officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery. Pallbearers will include Rumaldo Garcia, Freddy Pena, Manuel Barela, Nick Lucero, James Allen Dunn, Heraldo Garcia, and Dominic Salazar. Honorary bearers will be the members of K of C Council 8331, and all his friends and relatives. Patricio "Pat" Blea, age 74, passed away Wednesday evening, July 24, 2013 at the New Mexico State Veterans Home in Truth or Consequences, NM following an illness. His sisters and brother were at his bedside. Pat was born September 19, 1938 in Fort Sumner, NM to the home of Jose and Isidora (Garcia) Blea. He was reared and attended Fort Sumner schools, graduating with the class of 1957. While attending high school he worked at the Flying Twins. Pat enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 22, 1959. He trained as an Army Medic. While in the service he was involved in a military vehicle accident. Pat suffered from epilepsy and frequent seizures since the accident. Pat was a Fourth Degree, charter member of Knights of Columbus Council 8331 in Fort Sumner. He was a lifelong member of St. Anthony Catholic Church where he volunteered his time caring for the church grounds. He also spent many hours tending to the St. Anthony Cemetery. Pat was a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend. He is preceded in death by his father Jose C. Blea, his mother Lola Blea in 2011, three brothers Nonato Blea in 1960, Aurelio Blea in 1977, and Jose Sequio Blea in 1987. Pat is survived by a loving and caring family, his brother Martin and wife Rebecca Blea of Amarillo, TX, two sisters Catherine Vigil and husband Tito, Rosie Salazar and husband Tommy all of Fort Sumner, several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. The family requests memorial contributions in Pat's memory to the NM State Veteran's Home, 992 South Broadway, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com.