Lino Albert Aragon

Lino Albert Aragon, age 93, of Buena Park, CA, formerly of Avondale, AZ, died June 9, 2019 in Anaheim, CA. He was born July 23, 1925 in New Mexico to Tomas and Justita Aragon. At a young age, he moved to Goodyear, AZ and grew up in Avondale, AZ. On July 1, 1943, just shy of his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the US Navy. He served in the Pacific theater where he was a part of the liberation of the Philippines. On February 21, 1947 he received a letter of commendation for his naval service.

After his discharge, Lino received his high school degree from Litchfield Park High School on May 27, 1947. He received his BA in Education from Arizona State University in May 1952. He moved to California where he received his teaching credentials in Industrial Arts from Long Beach State College in 1957. Lino never did teach, instead, he began working for North America Aviation which later became Rockwell as a quality engineer. His work with Rockwell allowed him to be a part of the Apollo and space shuttle programs. He received the Apollo Achievement Award on June 20, 1969 for his work on Apollo 11.

After retiring from Rockwell Lino returned to Phoenix to be closer to his family. He visited the South Mountain Chamber of Commerce several times a week to help them take care of their facility. He loved building and repairing homes and would often buy them, repair them and rent them. He was a charter member of American Legion Post #61 in Avondale, AZ. He also enjoyed woodworking and especially loved making small wagons to give to friends and family.

Lino is survived by his children, Brenda Lightner, Jack Bentley, Melanie Donegan, Jenny Klein, and Andrew Aragon; sisters Martha Bodner, Lila Schneider, Theresa A. Faulkner, Mary Jane Boros; brothers, Patricio Aragon, and Tony Aragon; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by brothers and sisters-in-law, Alonzo and Margie Aragon, Ben and Jean Aragon, Abe and Hazel Aragon, Morris and Juanita Aragon, Juan Andres Aragon and Oscar Paul Aragon.

A visitation will be held from 4:30 – 7:30 pm, with military honors scheduled for 5:00 pm, Wednesday, June 19 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ 85338. A mass will be held at 10:00 am, Thursday, June 20, 2019 at St John Vianney Catholic Church, 539 E La Pasada Blvd, Goodyear, AZ 85338. Burial will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024.