Joe Acarregui. 56

Wednesday, January 7, 2004

Joseph Terry Acarregui, 56, of Prairie, died Jan. 5, 2004, from complications of a burn injury.

Rosary services will be held Friday, Jan. 9, at 6 p.m. at Summers Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel in Mountain Home. Funeral services will be held Jan. 10, beginning at 1 p.m., also at Summers. A reception will be held at the American Legion hall following the services.

On Sunday, following his wishes, his family and close friends will travel by team and sled to spread his ashes on the hill above the Acarregui home ranch.

He was born to Victor and June Acarregui on April 18, 1947, in Boise.

He grew up in Prairie and remained there until his death.

Joe attended first through eighth grade at the Prairie School. He then completed his schooling at Mountain Home High School. After graduation he joined the Army Reserves and served the Army for four years.

In 1967 he married Donna Jarvis. They lived at Prairie and farmed the land and tended to the cattle, along with his mother and father.

Joe and Donna had two children, Julie and Steven. They were later divorced, and in 1992, he married Henrietta Ashby.

"Joe truely had a love for life and was frequently the life of any party or gathering," his family noted. "He loved his children and grandchildren dearly. He was especially close to his eldest grandson, James Acarregui."

Growing up at Prairie, Joe learned that helping people out was just a way of life, and he took much pride in helping others. "He would give the shirt off his back to anyone," his family said. In turn, many neighbors helped him out throughout the years.

Joe is survived by: his wife, Henrietta; his daughter, Julie Acarregui-Garrett (Mike); his son, Steven Acarregui (Erin); four grandsons and one granddaughter, all of Mountain Home.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father.