Candido A. Tellez

Candido A. Tellez lived his life in service of God and family. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 surrounded by his loving wife and children. He was 86. Candido, lovingly known as "Candy" was born on March 24, 1937, in Duncan, Arizona. He worked his father's farmland and helped to support his family. He was a proud Arizona Wildcat and had fond memories of the years that he was able to spend attending classes and living in the big city of Tucson. To his final days, he was a loyal UA fan and watched every basketball, football, and softball game he could. Candy served in the Army and was stationed in Germany. When he returned to Duncan from Germany, he met the love of his life, Mary Apodaca. They were beautifully married for 59 years and raised five children. Candy worked for Valley National Bank as a teller, collector, operations officer, branch manager, and Vice-President in Willcox, Yuma, Safford, Morenci, and San Luis, Arizona. He was faithful to the Catholic Church and served in a variety of ministries including Catechist, Lector, Cursillista, Musician, and Sacristan. Candy loved playing guitar and singing and shared that love with friends and family. He was also a Boy Scout leader and a proud Rotarian.

Candy was preceded in death by both his parents, Martin and Luisa, sisters Mary and Aurora, brother Marcelo, and sons Candido and Damian. He is survived by his wife, Mary; children Rick (Kathi), Margaret (Richard), Becky (Mike), Candace and daughter-in-law Emma; 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; his siblings Carmelo (Alice), Martin (Emily), Robert (Fela), Alfredo "Pills", and Blasita(Carlos). Candy's love of life will be missed dearly by all those who knew him.

"You can shed tears because he's gone, or you can smile because he lived. Until we meet again."

Candido's life will be honored with a Rosary and Funeral Mass on Friday, April 5, 2024, at 9:30 at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The burial will be the following day at the Duncan Cemetery at 11:00 am.