Arturo Acosta

The “Greatest Generation” has lost one of its’ finest with the death of Arturo Acosta, 98, on August 22, 2022. He died at his home surrounded by his family. He was known as Tury or Turo by his friends and family, and his daughters proudly called him Daddy. Arturo was preceded in death by his devoted and enormously kind wife, Cecilia Murguia Acosta, who passed away September 19, 2007. He also is preceded in death by his son-in-law, Wayne Ernest Ponce, who passed away November 5, 2021. Arturo is survived by his four daughters (Alice Acosta, Terry Acosta-Ponce, Yoli Acosta, and Martha Acosta Armendariz), his son-in-law Richard Armendariz, his sister-in-law Frances Acosta, and his “daughter of the heart” Barbara Potter. Arturo also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Arturo was born on April 22, 1924, in the ASARCO smelting community known as Smeltertown, outside the El Paso city limits at the time. Arturo’s parents were Efren and Manuela Acosta who immigrated to El Paso from Jimenez, Chihuahua, Mexico. He was the youngest of eight children, four of whom were born in Jimenez (Bernardo, Andrea, Raimundo, Miguel), and four born in El Paso (Efren, Julia, Jose, Arturo).

Arturo was four years old when his father became gravely ill while working at the smelter, and soon passed away. His mother took her children out of Smeltertown, and bought a house on Hammett Street in south/central El Paso. There, Arturo and his siblings began working at whatever type of employment was available. He credits his mother for the strong work ethic shared by all the brothers and sisters. Arturo recalled that at the age of six, he began earning money by shining shoes and delivering newspapers. He often spoke of his brother Miguel (Mike), whom he idolized, saying that Mike would caddy at the Valdespino Golf Course (now part of Fort Bliss), and that from time to time, Mike would take on a boxing match or two in Juarez, Mexico, for the prize money to help pay family expenses.

Arturo began his education at Guardian Angel Catholic School, then went on to attend Zavala Elementary School. He then became a proud Bowie Bear, and later in life would remind his wife and daughters of his long walks from his house on Hammett Street to the original Bowie High School in South El Paso. During his “High Senior” year at Bowie, Arturo received his draft notice. He left Bowie High School and reported for duty with the U.S. Army on January 9, 1944, to fight in World War II, following in the footsteps of his older brothers Bernardo and Jose who had been drafted earlier. Arturo fought in the European Theatre, honorably serving in Company A, 35th Infantry Division. He said he never forgot the emotions he felt the day he saw the Statue of Liberty in the background in New York Harbor as he and other soldiers began their journey on the Queen Mary to fight in Europe. He was always grateful to God for bringing him and his brothers home safe from the war. Always a patriot, Arturo proudly flew the U.S. Flag daily in front of his house.

After the end of WWII, the GI Bill afforded Arturo the opportunity to learn a trade, and he chose to learn carpentry. His first job after completing trade school was with Robert E. McKee Construction. In a move to better provide for his growing family, Arturo secured employment with U.S. Civil Service at White Sands Missile Range beginning in 1957. His first job was in the Carpenter Shop, and from there, he worked his way up the U.S. Civil Service ladder. By the time Arturo retired in 1989, he had advanced to the Atmospheric Sciences Laboratories where he calibrated weather instruments vital for missile testing.

Arturo was a devout Catholic, and he was deeply devoted to Saint Francis of Assisi. He often would relate stories of memorable experiences with church projects he had been involved with. In particular was working with the Catholic Council of Men at the original Our Lady of the Light Church on Dolan Street to raise money to build the new sanctuary on Delta Street. Inspired by his devotion to Saint Francis of Assisi, Arturo volunteered his time at Roger Bacon Franciscan Seminary to raise money for the purchase of a much-needed jeep for the Franciscans’ missionary work in the jungles of Chiapas, Mexico. And as Arturo grew older in his retirement years, he settled into a Monday morning routine as a “money counter” at his parish of Saint Raphael, an experience he thoroughly enjoyed until his health began to slow him down.

Arturo loved sports, especially football, and before he passed away, he had marked his calendar, with red ink, to indicate the start of the 2022 NFL season. His favorite NFL team was the Dallas Cowboys, that was until Jerry Jones fired Tom Landry, a move Arturo found unforgivable! In college football, he supported Alabama and Notre Dame. And when football season ended, Arturo then found time to watch his favorite movies – Casablanca, The Godfather, or Patton, and listen to music that often included “Perfidia", which he loved to sing. And he never failed to watch the evening news on television.

Arturo lived a long and blessed life. He will be remembered for the pride he took in serving his country when it was needed most. He will be remembered for his unwavering faith as a Catholic. He will be remembered for the love he showed his family, and the fine example he set for them. For these things, and more, Arturo Acosta’s family is very thankful to God.

Rosary will be Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at 7:00 pm, at Funeraria Del Angel Central, 3839 Montana. Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, September 7, at 1:00pm at Saint Raphael Catholic Church, 2301 Zanzibar. Interment will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery at 2:30pm.

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