Andres Avalos Aleman

Don Andrés Avalos Alemán was born in León, Guanajuato on November 19th, 1933. He was the 4th son to Tomasa Aleman Rangel and Juan Avalos. He was the fourth of eight siblings. During his early years he demonstrated his independent spirit and zest for knowledge. Between the ages of 9-13 he was an altar boy where he affirmed his catholic fate. At the crucial age of 13 he started working at a shoe factory in the city known as the ”The Footwear World Capital.” From the ages of 13-16 he studied at a seminary to become a priest but his adventurous spirit couldn't be tamed.

During the Mexican Film Golden Era he moved to Mexico City in 1950. He would get a taste of the big bands and abundant night life of the big city. He would come to rub elbows with artists, boxers, actors that are legends now during those outings. He also found out that he was a great dancer and love to dance to the music of Bands like The King of Mambo Perez Prado. He lived in Mexico City for 13 years where he honed his shoe cobbler skills among other skills in a city that grew from 26 million people 35 million in the decade he lived there. Opportunities were abound and his avid curiosity was tested and rewarded.

In the mid 1960´s he decided to taste his luck in the US and moved to San Diego where he lived for three years. It was during this time he met Avelinne, 1966, and fell in love. He moved back to Mexico City for a year only to come back to Los Angeles where he spent 7 years. His wandering took him back to León, to Hawaii, to Los Angeles during the 1970´s to finally settle in the Las Vegas Valley in 1980. By then his family grew to include, Maria, Judith, James and Jennifer. He and Avelinne finally grew roots in a Henderson where he started and opened his own shoe repair business.

Andres was since early age self-taught, self-reliant, self-made. Obviously with Avelinne by his side he knew his kids at home would grow up to be good members of society. He was stern and yet loving in his own way and words. He was proud of what his son and daughters have achieved and his children knew their character and principles were a trait his father ingrained in them since an early age. Although, he was self employed and small business owner, he had the means to travel the world. He made several trips with his wife and some of his children to NYC, Toronto, Montreal, Washington D.C., Okinawa, Taiwan, London, Paris and Rome. He was privileged to walk in cities and civilizations he had read over the years.

It is a tragedy for a man of his intellectual ability to have been diagnosed and afflicted by the terrible Alzheimer's disease. His family and friends started to notice his mental decline but were not aware of the full extent or origin until 2008 when he was officially diagnosed. The last 15 years were painful for his friends and family to witness and experience first hand of the devastating effects of the illness. Even during the most trying moments his fighting spirit never gave up. His physical health relatively well but his mental struggle was hard to bear. His devoted wife, loving children, and close friends made sure he was surrounded by love and assurance that his sacrifices and struggles would be a burden all would help carry. At the beginning of April he took a fall where he broke a couple of ribs where one puncture his liver. We all thought that being as a strong and resilient as he has always been, would recover and live to be a 100 like his mother. We were wrong. He was sent home by the hospital and was given hospice care on April 9th. The following days he had his loving children and grandchildren, close family and friends by his bedside 24 hours a day. He was stubborn until his last breath and decided to go in his own terms. He waited until his loving wife assured him he had given her and family his best and that he could let go knowing she would be taken care. Genio y figura hasta la sepultura.

He was preceded by his mom Tomasa, by his father Juan and his baby boy Joseph.

Andres is survived by his wife Avelinne, his daughters: Maria (Jesus), Judith and Jennifer (Rashun) and his son James (Shannon) plus several grandchildren and great-grand children

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmboulderhighway.com for the Aleman family.