FERNANDO ARCE VELASQUEZ

Aug. 3, 1940 - Aug. 26, 2020

Fernando A. Velasquez, 80, of E l Centro, C A, passed August 26, 2020, at El Centro Regional Medical Center due to the China virus and underlying health issues.

Fernando and siblings grew up on Mary Avenue in Calexico, and he graduated from Calexico High School Class of 1 959, where he made many lifelong friendships that he was still enjoying.

Fernando was a proud veteran of t he U.S. Air Force. While he tried his best to be stationed in or near California, the powers that be sent him t o Iceland, Greenland, Winnemucca, Nevada, and eventually Iowa. While stationed in Iowa, he married Patricia Walling in February 1965, and they r aised two beautiful children. A fter his service, F ernando studied at IVC, earning an AA.

Fernando was a well known and very respected a uto mechanic in the Valley, r etiring from Sears Automotive in the early 1990’s.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and never missed an opening Dove season with h is friends. He w as a lso an Elder o f the Mt. Signal Muzzleloaders.

Fernando was preceded in death b y his father Efren; mother Tomasa, and his siblings Frank, Carmen and Richard.

He is survived by h is longtime companion, Connie Nolta; sister Consuelo (Cheli) (Wilo); son Victor and three grandsons Ramon, Francisco, and Victor, all of Abilene, TX; daughter Tammy of Rogers, Arkansas; his nieces, nephews, cousins, and so many friends who will miss that b eautiful smile and laugh! Fernando is also survived by extended families Doug, Beth, and Kadyn Struckmeyer of Imperial and Rob, J en, and Kaitlyn Bennett of Tucson, AZ.

No s ervices scheduled at this time.