Gilbert C. Varela, 72, a lifetime resident of Las Vegas, passed away on Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque.He was born on Dec. 30, 1943, to Raymond Varela and Josephine Montoya Varela in Las Vegas.Gilbert graduated from West Las Vegas High School and attended Highlands University. He enlisted in the United States Marines from April 1963 to April 1967, where he was a Marine Guard for an Admiral on the USS Midway. He was the owner and operator of Ray's Liquor Store in Las Vegas for the past 42 years. He was also an avid reader.A Catholic, he was a member of Our Lady of Sorrows Church.He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Josephine Varela; and sister, Viola Calderon.He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Doris Varela of the family home in Las Vegas; daughter, Brenda Varela of Albuquerque; son, Gilbert C. Varela Jr. of Santa Fe; granddaughter, Allie Varela of Albuquerque; grandson, Josh Varela of Las Vegas; great-grandson, Brayden Brito of Las Vegas; sisters, Carla Jaramillo and husband, Ralph, of Santa Fe, and JoAnn Varela Gallegos of Las Vegas; brother-in-law, Alex Montaño and wife, Antionette, of Pojoaque, and Robert Montaño of Albuquerque; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.Rosary services will be held 7 p.m. today (Friday) at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Las Vegas. Funeral Service will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Our Lady of Sorrows Church with Father George V. Salazar as celebrant. Interment will take place at 9:45 a.m. on Monday at 9:45 a.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.Serving as casket bearers will be Josh Varela, Alex Montaño, Ralph Jaramillo, Chris Garduño, Leo Gonzales and Matthew Montaño. Honorary bearers will be his grandchildren and great-grandson.Visit Rogers Mortuary's website at www.rogersmortuarynm.com to sign their online register book.Arrangements are under the direction of Rogers Mortuary; 600 Reynolds Ave., Las Vegas; 425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.