ALVAREZ, Tomas Mejia

The Verde Independent, Cottonwood, AZ December 15, 2006 Tomas Mejia Alvarez, 87, died Dec. 1, 2006, at the Copper Queen Community Hospital. Tomas was born Sept. 22, 1919, to Rosendo and Julia Mejia Alvarez in Sycamore Canyon. He grew up on his parent's ranch in the canyon. Tom learned the meaning of hard work quickly, working as a ranch hand, cowboy and farmer. As a young man Tom began working for the U.S. Forest Service in the Civil Conservation Camps throughout the wilderness regions of Yavapai County. Tom served in the U.S. Army for three years before World War II broke out. He served as a private first class and also was a light machine gunner. He was an instructor training the newly enlisted men for deployment to Europe, where Tom also served through the war's end. Following his military life, Tom returned to Arizona and married his beloved Regina P. Alvarez, and began a career as a miner for Phelps Dodge. He worked for 30 years in the Jerome and Bisbee mines, retiring in 1975. Tom and his wife shared more than 50 years until her death on July 14, 2004. Survivors include his two sons, Jesus (Frances) Alvarez and Joe (Jonel) Alvarez, all of Bisbee; brother, Chilo Alvarez of California; sister, Emelia Carrillo of Clarkdale; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Mass of the Resurrection was Friday, Dec. 8. Burial was at Southern Arizona Veterans Cemetery in Sierra Vista. Arrangements were by Dugan Funeral Chapel.