Joseph Grijalva was born on June 14, 1924 to parents Eliboria Bencomo Grijalva and Simon L. Grijalva in Arrey, N.M. He passed away on Thursday, November 10, 2016. Joseph "Joe" lived all of his life in the Sierra County and Grant County areas, where he still has many family members and friends. Joe was a loving son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, uncle, grandfather and great grandfather, and friend to many throughout southern New Mexico. He was dearly loved and will be missed by all. As a boy, Joe worked on the farm, delivered papers, rode horses on long journeys to visit family, played football in high school, and worked in a hotel in Socorro as a night clerk. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and his last duty assignment was Carpenter's Mate. Joe served during WWII onboard the U.S.S. Oglala in the pacific war theater at New Guinea and the Phillippine Islands. After his Naval service, Joe returned to Arrey and married Escolastica " Chata" Garcia. They had 3 children - son Marcus and daughters Olga and Yvonne. Joe worked for Kennecott Copper Corporation in Hurley for 38 years, retiring as a smelter converter foreman. His hobbies included a lifetime of outdoor activities - camping, fishing, hunting, 4-wheeling, gardening (he had an amazing green thumb!), and also carpentry, storytelling and enjoying a good cup of coffee. Joe earned his BA in business in 1964 from Western New Mexico University. In his 70's and 80's Joe was an active traveler, with favorite destinations including Costa Rica, Europe, and the Holy Land. Joe was a life-long, devout Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus.Joseph was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Chata Grijalva; brothers Antonio Grijalva, Jesus Grijalva and Herminio Grijalva; grandchildren, Leticia Marquez and Daniel Marquez. He is survived by loving family including sisters, Maria Martinez of Scottsdale, AZ., Rosa Perez and Erlinda Apodaca both of Las Cruces; daughter, Olga Marquez and husband Jose of Las Cruces; son, Marcus Grijalva and wife Nora in Elverta, CA, and daughter, Yvonne Omick and husband Steve of Basking Ridge, NJ. Other survivors include his grandchildren, Anya Grijalva Blair, and Joseph D. Grijalva, Renee Marquez Hinojosa, Emiliana Omick, Casiana Omick, and Ariana Omick; 12 great grandchildren as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.Visitation for Joseph will begin at 5 PM Thursday, November 17, 2016 at Infant Jesus Catholic Church, 204 Cortez Avenue in Hurley, NM with the Rosary scheduled for 6 PM. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, November 18, 2016 at 11 AM in the same church with Reverend Robert Becerra officiating. The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the Hurley Cemetery with military honors accorded by the Marine Corps League- Gaffney-Oglesby #1328 Detachment. A reception will follow at the Infant Jesus Church Hall.Serving as pallbearers will be Joey Montoya, Steve Martinez, Steve Omick, Art Perez, Louie Grijalva, and Jose Marquez. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Infant Jesus Catholic Church. Entrusted to Baca's Funeral Chapels of Las Cruces, 527-2222, Your exclusive providers for "Veterans and Family Memorial Care." For online condolences logon to www.bacasfuneralchapelslascruces.net