Ataulfo Olea

Ataulfo S. Olea passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on March 9, 2019, just one week after losing his beloved wife, Annabelle.

Ataulfo was born on September 16, 1934 in Ajo, AZ to Ernesto and Amalia (Sanora) Olea.

He attended Ajo Public schools where he played and excelled in football and baseball. He graduated in 1953 from Ajo High School. He met and fell in love with Annabelle Hamman in Ajo and they married January 25, 1955. 

He started working for Phelps Dodge Corporation in Ajo, AZ where he and Annabelle raised five children. He was a supervisor for the smelter until the mine shut down 1984. Ultimately, he retired from Phelps Dodge after transferring and working as supervisor in the El Paso TX refinery and the Morenci, AZ smelter. He then began working at Kennecott in Hurley, NM. He was general foreman in the smelter there until his final retirement in 1999. After his retirement, he enjoyed doing yard work and building on to his and Annabelle's house. He loved his family, children and grandchildren, reading the Bible and talking about old times.

Ataulfo is survived by his five children, Ernie (Roxanna) Olea, Adrian (Doreen) Olea, Dorene Olea Zozaya, Raymond Olea and Annette Olea McBiles, 15 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and one great great grandson; brothers and sisters Ildegardo Olea (Sara), Nuvia Olea Hammons (Curtis), Irmalinda Olea Garcia (Angel), and Charles Olea, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Ataulfo is preceded in death by the love of his life, Annabelle, his parents Ernesto and Amalia, brothers Ernesto Jr and Arcenio Olea, and son- in- law Jimmy Zozaya.

A joint Celebration of Life is being planned for Atualfo and Annabelle.

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