Individual Details

Death

Funeral services for Phillip Aguirri, 88, of Portales, will be at 2:00 PM, Saturday, June 23, 2012, at the Trinity Assembly of God Church with Rev. Kelly Fulfer officiating. Burial will be in the Portales Cemetery with Bryan Couch, Ryan Aguirri, Chance Aguirri, John Couch, Bryan Couch, Jr. and Agustine Jimenez serving as pallbearers. All other grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other family members as well as all of his many friends will be honorary pallbearers. Phillip Aguirri was born June 20, 1923, in Fort Sill, OK, to the home of Peggy and Phillip A. Aguirri, and died June 18, 2012, in Forney, TX, at the home of his daughter. Mr. Aguirri grew up in Cliff, NM, where he graduated from high school in 1941. He went on to join the US Navy, and served aboard the USS Intrepid during World War II as an ordinance man. On November 3, 1944, in Oakland, CA, he was married to Miriam Nix. When he was discharged, they moved to Denver where he worked in a tire manufacturing plant. In 1947, Phillip enlisted in the Coast Guard where he achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Mr. Aguirri headed an airplane mechanic crew that often traveled with senators and other dignitaries. After he retired in 1963, they moved to Portales to be near his wife's family. He soon went to work at the US Post Office as the custodian, and retired in the late 1980's. Phillip enjoyed hunting and fishing, boating and playing with his grandchildren. He was a very friendly and outgoing man who made friends easily, and loved to visit with people. No matter what time of day it was, he would likely greet you with, "Good morning, how are you today?" He is survived by three sons and a daughter-in-law, Kenneth and Sandy Aguirri of Ingram, TX, Bill Aguiri and Jerry Aguirri both of Portales; a daughter, Marilyn Aguirri of Forney, TX; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren, and a sister, Janie Furr of Silver City, NM.  He was preceded in death by his parents and by his beloved wife, Miriam or "Jolly" who died February 27, 2008. Arrangements by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales, Inc., 505-356-4455,