Edward Joseph, Sr. Age - 86 Velarde Velarde

Edward Joseph Velarde, Sr. – was a lifelong resident of Velarde, surrounded by his loving family, he went home to be with the Lord and the rest of his family on Sunday, July 17, 2011. Mr. Velarde was born on February 10, 1925. He was a direct descendant of Don Juan Velarde, founder of the community of Velarde. He was a lifelong fruit farmer and carried on a farming tradition that encompasses 15 generations that has been handed down. His passion for farming led him to own the largest orchard in New Mexico. During his 86 years of fruit farming he sat on several Co-op and boards that helped promote the fruit industry in Northern New Mexico. He traveled worldwide to increase his knowledge of fruit growing. He was named one of the top apple growers in the United States by Fruit Growers Magazine. Up until his death he served on the Board of Directors for the New Mexico Apple Council. He was proud to be honored by many orchardists’ around the world for having the oldest established orchard in the U.S. Many people from around the world would visit Edward to visit his operation and ask many questions about the farm that once was a vast estate encompassing 60,000 acres. Edward Velarde worked as and was proud to be a cement finisher on many projects including building the Abiquiu Dam and several buildings in Los Alamos; including building his own home in Velarde. In the mid 1950’s, he started working for the Atomic Energy Commission in Los Alamos, currently Los Alamos National Laboratories. He worked at S Site as a Chemical Plant Operator. He assisted the CIA in the Nuclear Weapons Program. He was noted for his work and cooperation with many scientists and was listed in several scientific publications. He retired in 1990 and continued his love of fruit farming. He was elected to the Jemez Electric Board of Trustees. He was instrumental in setting policies and was highly regarded by the staff. He was also a Board Member and Majordomo of the Acequia de los Chicos. He was a Board Member of the Velarde Mutual Domestic Water Association where he helped form the association and was a catalyst for getting funding for the project. In 1957, Edward along with others founded the Velarde Valley Fire Department. He and other firefighters helped build the current fire station with funding from the community. He held rank of Fire Captain. He was active until several years ago with the Fire Department mentoring and advising firefighters. He was an avid gardener following in his mother’s footsteps. He kept a large rose garden. He was known nationally for his rose and flower gardens. The Rose Garden Associations frequently asked his advice and admired his love of roses. Edward was an avid baseball player and well known throughout Northern New Mexico for his pitching. He was a very hard worker, but always made time for his family and friends. Edward was preceded in death by grandparents, Pacomio Velarde and Paula Larragoite Velarde; parents, Jeramias Velarde and Adelaida Becker Velarde; brother/sisters: Leopoldo Velarde, WWII, Cristobal Velarde, Carlota Velarde Sanchez, Esther Velarde Hopkins, Cora Velarde Sanchez and Ina Velarde Hunt; close nephews: Alfonso Sanchez and Jerry Velarde; many others. He is survived by his children: Sharon Velarde, Judy Velarde, Linda Velarde and Eddie Velarde; mother of his children, June Velarde; grandchildren: Jeremy Rodriguez (Dynelle), Cisco Velarde, Desiree Velarde and Maya Burnett y Velarde; great-grandchildren: Caleb Velarde, Jocelyn Rodriguez and Caiden Conrad; sister, Sophie Velarde Bazan. Public visitation will be held on Friday, July 22, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel at DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory with a rosary to follow at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Dixon with burial to follow at Velarde Catholic Cemetery with the following serving as pallbearers: Darwin Yazzie, Oliver Gallegos, Ray Tafoya, Curtis Aguino, Marvin Armijo, Jr., Guillermo Chavez Rosette; honorary pallbearers: Jeremy Rodriguez, Cisco Velarde, Desiree Velarde, Maya Burnett y Velarde, Leo Hunt, Caleb Velarde, Archie Velarde, Jocelyn Rodriguez, Caiden Conrad and Manuel Salazar, Jr. The family of Edward Joseph Velarde, Sr. has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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