Joseph Champion 'Joe' Beverly, Jr.

(April 1, 1929 ~ March 23, 2012)

Joseph C. Beverly Jr., age 82, and 58 year resident of Belen, passed away on Friday, March 23, after a short battle with cancer. Joe, "J.C." to some, had led a full rich life.

In addition to earning his living as a heavy equipment mechanic in road construction, he found time for his many home improvement projects, and to indulge his love for fishing, boating, and camping. He was a charter member of the Sierra Vista Southern Baptist Church in Rio Communities. He was the founder of New Mexicans for Quality Long-Term Care, a city advocate group that worked to improve quality of life and family rights for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in New Mexico.

Joe was born to Joseph Beverly Sr., and Leona Doane Beverly, in Buffalo Gap, TX. Shortly after his birth, they moved to their new farm, just down the road in Cedar Gap. There, he spent his youth, active in sports and helping out on the farm. After graduation in 1947 from Tuscola High School, he helped his parents and younger siblings move to their new place in Arkansas. He stayed on for a bit and headed out on his own to explore the world, working as a truck driver, mechanic, and equipment operator, and even doing a stint as a Merchant Marine. In 1953, on his way to a job in Arizona, his car broke down in Albuquerque and he decided to stay. Not too long after he met Valeria Trujillo at a dance in Belen. After their marriage in 1954, they moved into her family home in Belen and lived there ever since. After his retirement in 1994, they enjoyed travelling and spending time with their granddaughters.

Mr. Beverly was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bert Beverly and Paul Beverly; and sister, Rosemary Parker. He is survived by his wife Valeria; son, Joseph C. Beverly III and his wife Susan; his daughter Dolores McDuffie and her husband Joe McDuffie; granddaughters, Valerie Selinger and husband Mike Selinger, Aliza Tafoya and husband Nick Tafoya, and Hope Pino and husband Rico Pino; great grandson, Logan Tafoya; Brother-in-law, Tommy Trujillo and wife Florence Trujillo; nieces and nephews, Betsy and Jesse Torres, Johnny and Nora Trujillo, Laura and Tom Castillo, Linda Trujillo, Kathy Padilla, Marty and Patricia Trujillo, Lillian Milligan, Raymond Chavez, Elsie Romero, Annette Chavez and Carol Chavez; his younger sister Llewellyn Metzger of Mt. Vernon, Arkansas and many other nieces and nephews scattered throughout the states.

A viewing will take place at the Sierra Vista Southern Baptist Church in Rio Communities on Wednesday, March 28, at 10 a.m., followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. Interment will be at a later date.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff of Vistacare Hospice in Albuquerque for their great kindness and gentle care in the last days of Joseph Beverly's life.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 864-4448, where an online guest register is available at www.noblinfuneralservice.com.