Vicente Jasso

JASSO, VICENTE B. Age 87, resident of Albuquerque since 1991, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 after a two year battle with cancer. Mr. Jasso was born in Presidio, TX in 1925 and during WWII, was drafted into the service while still in High School. He joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the Heavy Cruiser, USS Wichita, (CA-45) as a lookout. While aboard the USS Wichita, Mr. Jasso, along with 900 other sailors, participated in the Guadalcanal Campaign in the Pacific Theater, conquest of Okinawa, Saipan, Guam and in the biggest naval battle in history, the 4 day, non-stop Battle of Leyte Gulf. The Wichita also escorted two hospital ships into Nagasaki Harbor to repatriate troops after the end of the war and assigned to the occupation of Japan. These abhorrently violent sea battles of the war left an indelible scar on him. After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Navy, Mr. Jasso finished High School and earned a BBA Degree in International Business at St. Mary's University in San Antonio, TX. Following a time in Texas, Mr. Jasso returned to New Mexico to help on the family farm in Loving, NM. He soon went to work at the Carlsbad Argus newspaper as an Editor. After encouragement from Managing Editor, Mr. Jasso took a job with the State of New Mexico in the Department of Insurance where he worked his way up and was appointed Deputy Superintendent in 1961 and subsequently, State Superintendent in 1981. During his tenure he championed for the rights of the consumer helping countless citizens with gridlocked insurance issues. He retired from the department after 33 years of loyal service. Mr. Jasso was also a member of many fraternal organizations and civic clubs including VFW #2951, G.I. Forum, American Legion, Elks Club, El Club Peralta, (Spanish Toastmasters) and PERA Retirees Association, Chapter 21. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maximiano and Manuela Jasso; brothers, Nieves and Benito Jasso; and sisters, Isabella Jasso, Lourdes Pena and Mary Hernandez. Mr. Jasso is survived by his wife of 34 years, Julie; and daughters, Glenda Porter, husband, Gary and granddaughter, Loren of Edmonds, WA, Carmella Jasso and granddaughters, Gabrielle and Adreanna of Santa Fe; sons, Vicente B. Jasso Roybal and grandsons, Keshav and Vilas of El Rancho and Thomas Goodman and granddaughters, Rebecca and Jessica of Livermore, CA; sister, Maria Magdalena Ortiz of Grandfalls, TX; his first wife, Prescilla M. Roybal; and numerous nieces and nephews. The Rosary will be recited Sunday, November 11, 2012, 6:00 p.m., at FRENCH - Westside, with visitation beginning at 4:00 p.m. Mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 12, 2012, 10:00 a.m., at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, 5712 Paradise Blvd NW. Interment will take place Tuesday, November 13, 2012, 9:45 a.m., at Santa Fe National Cemetery. Please visit our online guest book for Mr. Jasso at www.FrenchFunerals.com. FRENCH 9300 Golf Course Rd NW 505-897-0300

Vicente Jasso

April 10, 1925 - November 6, 2012