Jose Luis Celaya

On Thursday, November 19th, 2020, Jose Luis Celaya, husband and father passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the age of 84. Jose Luis was born on March 8th, 1936 in a small town called Sáric, Sonora, Mexico to Julio Celaya and Angela Duarte Celaya. Throughout his young life he had a passion for horses, he grew up on a ranch raising, breeding, and caring for horses. Jose Luis grew up in Nogales, Sonora, Mexico. In his mid-thirties he then moved to Tucson, AZ and lived there for the remainder of his life. Jose Luis was a very simple old-fashioned man, and a humorous man. He loved listening and singing to classic mariachi music. He was a very hardworking man throughout his entire life. He assembled archery for more than 15 years, where he was known as “El Elegante,” (the elegant), even several years after his retirement. You can always see him in button-up shirts, slack pants, and cowboy boots. Jose Luis was a very determined and independent man. He loved his family dearly. Jose Luis preceded his death by his sons, Francisco Javier Celaya, and Jesus Martin Celaya. He is survived by his loving wife Francisca, his five children, Javier, Maria Monica, Jose Juan, Jose Luis Jr., and Margarita; thirteen grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

“God saw him getting tired,

and a cure was not to be

So, he put his arms around him

and whispered,

“come to me.”

With tearful eyes,

We saw him slowly fade away.

Although we loved him dearly,

we could not make him stay.

A golden heart stopped beating,

hard-working hands put to rest,

God broke our hearts to prove to us,

He only takes the best.

-unknown

We are forever grateful for all the years we had with you,

with broken hearts we give you back to Lord’s hands.

Te Amamos Apá!