Armando "Junior" Surita, Jr. passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2010, in Tacoma. He was born October 29, 1953, in Sabinal, TX. He moved to California, then to Wenatchee, where he met and married his wife, Mary Surita, in 1982. They had two children, Armando Surita III of Spokane and Stephania Surita of Seattle. Junior also had two other children from a previous marriage, Francis and Armando Anthony Surita, both of Porterville, CA.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Magdalena Tapia. Junior is survived by his wife and four children; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his father, Armando Surita, Senior of Wenatchee; his siblings, Margaret and Jesus Mirelez of Oregon, Henry Surita of Tacoma, John and Leticia Surita of Wenatchee, Rosalinda and Julio Arroyo of Wenatchee, Louis and Dora Surita of Los Angeles, CA and Gilbert and Olivia Surita of Tacoma.

The following is a letter from Junior's youngest daughter:

Dad ~ I love you and I miss you. Mama says she loves you and she wishes things could have been different. You chose a wonderful woman, Dad. She raised your children the best she could. It was hard for her without you. Mando says he loves you and he knows you have been restored to the man you once were, in Heaven. He is a strong and good man like you. He is an amazing musician. You would be so proud, if you could hear him play. The good in you lives on through him. I have done my best to make you proud, Dad. I know when I act silly, it reminds Mom of you. People tell me how much I look like you. I am happy that you are my Dad. I wish you could be around to walk me down the isle or see my babies. We forgive you for everything. We never stopped loving and missing you. I realize now, that you were not around, not because you did not want to be... It was because you couldn't be. You tried so hard for so long to change. That poison had a hold of you but, now you are free of it. I know you are in Heaven and you are no longer suffering. You were larger than life, Dad. People gravitated to you. You were funny and handsome. You will be missed! When the warm wind blows and the crickets sing, I feel you with me. May you remain "…where the green grass grows." Te Quiero ~ Stef

There will be a Service this summer on Saturday, June 19, 2010, at Washington Park in Wenatchee. Contact Mary at 509-667-0511 or Rosa at 509-264-8288 for more details.