Obituary of Javier Arteaga

Javier nació en Tunguitiro, Michoacán, México. Era el segundo mayor de seis hijos de Vicente Arteaga y Melania Ambriz Saucedo. Cuando su padre falleció dejó a Javier como cabeza de familia desde muy joven. Se convirtió en la mano derecha de su madre. Para ayudar a mantener a su familia, cruzó a Estados Unidos. Pasó sus 15 años de este lado de la frontera. Trabajó en Oregón, Idaho e Illinois antes de establecerse en Parma, Idaho.

Javier viajaba de un lado a otro. Sus hermanos recordaron cuando les llevó su primer televisor en color y vieron a los Pitufos. Le llevó a Maga una muñeca azul que guardaban en vidrio para evitar que se arruinara. Rigo aprovechaba que Javier estaba en Estados Unidos y andaba en su bicicleta. Cándido recuerda a Javier atando sus pies a la cama. Durante uno de esos viajes de regreso a casa, Javier se casó con su alma gemela Isabel Juárez el 12 de enero de 1985. Hizo infinitos recuerdos con sus hermanos y su familia.

Javier crio a su familia en Parma, Idaho. Continuó siendo una figura paterna en la vida de sus hermanos, incluso cuando crecieron y tuvieron sus propias familias. Los apoyó de infinitas maneras, sin pedir nunca nada a cambio. Rigo recuerda cuando se quedó sin trabajo, con dos niños pequeños y se acercaba el invierno. Javier ofreció su casa sin dudarlo durante el tiempo que necesitara. Él fue la primera persona a la que Maga le contó sobre su compromiso. Sus hermanos sabían que siempre podrían contar con él. “Si Dios me permitiera elegir a mi propio hermano, no lo pensaríamos dos veces antes de elegirlo”. Su tiempo con nosotros fueron los mejores años de nuestras vidas.

          Javier es un hombre con un gran corazón. Era la definición de trabajador, honesto, justo y respetuoso. Fue un gran esposo, padre, abuelo, hermano y amigo para muchos. Su familia era su prioridad y lo demostró con palabras y acciones. Incluso contra todo pronóstico, les dio a sus hermanos y a su familia la oportunidad de tener una vida mejor. Pasó la mayor parte de su vida trabajando en E.G. Johnson; Matt: "Creo que el mundo de tu padre".

          Ahora él nos cuida con su mano guía sobre nuestros hombros. No pasará un día sin que te extrañemos. Esperamos que puedas vernos superar el dolor de perderte y, aun así, seguir haciéndote sentir orgulloso. “Mi cuñado era más que una gran persona, él era un gran guerrero”, Oswaldo. “Estoy orgulloso de llamarlo mi padre, te amo papá”, Miguel. “Solo quería que supieras que el cielo se ve diferente contigo ahí arriba, es hermoso…”, Adán. “Espero ser la mitad de persona que eras”, Viri.

Le preceden en la muerte sus padres Vicente Arteaga y Melania Ambriz Saucedo, sus hermanas Alicia Gil Arteaga y Rosela Sotelo Arteaga.

Le sobreviven su esposa Isabel Arteaga, sus hijos Miguel Ángel Arteaga y Adán (Jenae) Arteaga, su hija Viridiana (Marcos) Miranda. Hermanos Cándido (Leticia) Arteaga, Rigoberto (Maria Salud) Arteaga y hermana Margarita (Oswaldo) Macias. Nietos Jaxon Arteaga, Isabella Miranda, Ariella Miranda y Hendrix Arteaga.

"Incluso en los momentos más difíciles tenía un gran sentido del humor".

          Javier was born in Tunguitiro, Michoacan, Mexico. He was the second oldest of six children to Vicente Arteaga and Melania Ambriz Saucedo. When his father passed away he left Javier as the head of the family at a very young age. He became his mom’s right hand. In order to help support his family, he crossed to the United States. He spent his 15th birthday on this side of the border. He worked odd jobs in Oregon, Idaho, and Illinois before settling down in Parma, Idaho.

          Javier would travel back and forth. His siblings remembered when he took them their first colored TV and they saw Smurfs. He took Maga a blue doll they kept in a glass to keep it from being ruined. Rigo would take advantage when Javier was in the States and would ride his bike. Candido remembers Javier tying his feet to the bed. During one of those trips back home, Javier married his soulmate Isabel Juarez on January 12, 1985. He made endless memories with his siblings and family.

          Javier raised his family in Parma, Idaho.  He continued to be a father figure in the lives of his siblings, even as they grew up and had families of their own. He supported them in endless ways, never asking for anything in return. Rigo remembers when he was out of a job, two small kids, and winter was approaching. Javier offered his home without hesitation for as long as he needed. He was the first person Maga told about her engagement. His siblings knew they could always count on him. “If God would let me choose my own sibling, we wouldn’t think twice about picking him.” His time with us was the best years of our lives.

          Javier is a man with a big heart. He was the definition of hard-working, honest, fair, and respectful. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, sibling, and friend to many. His family was his priority, and he showed it through words and actions. Even against all odds, he gave his siblings and family a chance at a better life. He spent most of his time working at E.G. Johnson; Matt, “I think the world of your father.”

          Now he is watching over us with his guiding hand on our shoulders. Not a day will go by without us missing you. We hope you can see us push through the pain of losing you and yet continue to make you proud.  “My brother-in-law was more than a great person and he was a great warrior,” Oswaldo.  “I’m proud to call him my father, I Love You Dad,” Miguel. “I just wanted you to know, the sky looks different with you up there, it’s beautiful …,” Adan. “I hope to be half the person you were,” Viri.

Preceding him in death are his parents Vicente Arteaga and Melania Ambriz Saucedo, sisters Alicia Gil Arteaga and Rosela Sotelo Arteaga.

He is survived by his wife Isabel Arteaga, sons Miguel Angel Arteaga and Adan (Jenae) Arteaga, daughter Viridiana (Marcos) Miranda. Brothers Candido (Leticia) Arteaga, Rigoberto (Maria Salud) Arteaga, and sister Magarita (Oswaldo) Macias. Grandchildren Jaxon Arteaga, Isabella Miranda, Ariella Miranda, and Hendrix Arteaga.

“Even in the most difficult times, he had a great sense of humor.”