Obituary of Sergio Javier Araya

Sergio Javier Araya, 65, passed away on December 15, 2018 in Oro Valley, AZ. Sergio was born on December 2, 1953 to Father, Sergio Araya and Mother Valerie Chellew, in Santiago, Chile. In 1970 he moved from Chile to Tucson, AZ where he attended Salpointe Catholic High School. Sergio served in the United States Army as an E-5 Missiles/Ammunition Ordinance Specialist during the Vietnam conflict from 1974-1984. He was stationed in Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska. Following his time in Vietnam he took college courses wherever he was stationed, including Alaska and Louisiana. Sergio later worked as a Planning Analyst for Hamilton Aviation and Bombardier. He was most recently employed at Ace Hardware where he spent many happy days helping customers and sharing his talent for solving problems and "fix it man" repairs. Sergio is survived by his loving spouse of 29 years, Andrea; his two sons, Nicholas Araya and Stephen Araya (Debbie); his step-daughters Bobbie Farrell (John), Rebecca Owen, Amanda Owen, and Sarah Owen; his grandchildren Justin Farrell, Harmony Asbury, Bridget Farrell, Jack Araya, Max Araya, Odin Danhof, Amelia Danhof, and Macy Liles; mother, Valerie Chellew- Garcia; brothers Chris Garcia (Glenda) and Claudio Araya (Phyllis). Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 27th at 10:00 am at Canyon Del Oro Baptist Church, 9200 N. Oracle Rd. Tucson, AZ 85704 with a short reception to follow. There will be a military burial service to follow on Friday, December 28th at 11:00 am at Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 15950 N. Luckett Rd. Marana, AZ 85653.