Arnulfo Garcia Morado

Arnulfo "Barney" Garcia Morado of Tolleson passed away on January 16, 2021 at the age of 77. Born in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, he came to Arizona when he was 14 with parents, Jose and Hortencia Morado, and his brothers and sisters. Arnulfo attended mostly Tolleson public schools where he was recognized as an excellent wrestler in high school. While still in high school, and until he was drafted, Arnulfo and his family worked as migrant farmworkers during the summers. He also worked after school hours and on weekends at the family business, Morado & Sons Service Station. Arnulfo served in the Army and was stationed in Korea. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. He was a member of the Bobby Lopez VFW Post 6310. Arnulfo went on to study and apprentice as an electrician. He graduated at the top of his class, and became a journeyman electrician and proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 640. As an electrician, Arnulfo worked on several large national projects, most notably the Alaska Pipeline and the Palo Verde Nuclear Power Plant. There are many things to know about Arnulfo. He was bullied as a child, but he and his older sister protected each other, and he quickly outgrew the bullying, he was a good dancer, he had a generous, loving soul, and had a great interest in current events. He knew some great dichos. He had a great memory, and he liked to reminisce about his early life in Texas, his time in the Army, and his work and travels as an electrician. Arnulfo was passionate about social justice issues, politics (he died happy knowing that 45 was no more!), and serving those who did not have the means to help themselves. He was a strong supporter and member of the United Farmworkers Union, and was a lifelong proponent of the power of unions to empower and protect workers. He was known to help many families with their electrical issues whenever he was asked. Best of all, by word and deed, Arnulfo encouraged all his siblings to stay in school, and to be good workers. He used his own wages to help his family pay for college and vocational schools. We are forever grateful for his love of family and education, and will continue to honor him by paying it forward. Arnulfo was preceded in death by his parents Jose & Hortencia (Garcia) Morado, brothers, Guadalupe, Jose and Tony, sister Zulema Escobedo, sister-in-law Lorraine Lee and brother-in-law, Antonio Rodriguez. He is survived, loved, and grieved by brothers Armando, Alvaro, Alonzo, Abel (Mercedes), sisters Adriana, Alicia, Amparo Mathews (Philip), Aurora Rodriguez, forty-three (43) nieces and nephews (we're not counting their children), and a community of friends. Catholic Funeral Services are being arranged by Samaritan Funeral Home, 1505 East McDowell Road, Phoenix, Arizona. The funeral mass will be at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Tolleson. At Arnulfo's request, and due to Covid restrictions, there will not be a public wake, viewing or public reception. The funeral mass will be open to all, subject to the church's covid-related seating arrangements. Date of the services is pending.