News Summary
Arthur ‘Bo’ Mariano Bojorquez Jr. passed away at 87, leaving behind a legacy of service and love in Phoenix. His commitment to family and community shone brightly throughout his life. Bo served honorably in the Air Force, earning multiple accolades. Known for his passion for family and involvement in local organizations, his passing is felt deeply in the community. A visitation and committal service are scheduled to honor his remarkable life and contributions.
Remembering a Hero: Arthur “Bo” Mariano Bojorquez Jr. Leaves Behind a Legacy in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona – On March 12, 2025, the community bid farewell to a true hero, Arthur “Bo” Mariano Bojorquez Jr., who passed away at the age of 87. A native of Los Angeles, California, Bo’s journey began on September 17, 1937, where he was the oldest of three children born to Arthur Mendoza Bojorquez and Helen Diaz Bojorquez.
Bo lived a life rich in service and family, oscillating between the sunny streets of Los Angeles and the welcoming embrace of Phoenix, where he attended several schools. He completed his high school studies at South Mountain High School and shortly after, while still a junior, made the bold decision to join the National Guard. This marked the beginning of a remarkable military career that saw him serving with honor.
A Life of Dedication and Service
After graduating high school, Bo completed Army basic training at Fort Orr, California. Shortly thereafter, he served one year in the National Guard before transitioning to the United States Air Force, where he took on the critical role of a Radar Operator. Over the next 26 years, Bo dedicated his life to the Air Force, earning multiple accolades including the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, further demonstrating his unwavering commitment to duty and service.
His military journey took him from the U.S. to various bases abroad, including a deployment to Vietnam, where he served bravely. His adventures spanned locations such as the Hamilton Air Force Base in California, a remote radar site in Baudette, Minnesota, and even Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He spent three notable years at Tempelhof Airport in Berlin, Germany, before concluding his service at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.
A Family Man
Throughout his military experience, Bo’s heart remained devoted to his family. He first married and had a daughter, Kathy Gamble, but that marriage concluded as Kathy found the military lifestyle challenging. However, fate had other plans for him when he met his second wife, Juanita, at a party that he spontaneously crashed. This serendipitous encounter blossomed into love, leading to a whirlwind romance that saw Bo proposing after just two weeks of dating. Their marriage in Las Vegas in October 1967 was just the beginning, as together they welcomed a daughter, Susan, into the world.
Bo graciously embraced Juanita’s three children from a previous relationship, Richard, James, and Rebecca, making their blended family a vibrant tapestry of love and support. His commitment to family extended beyond his children; he also reveled in the joys of being a grandfather to Eddie, Richie, Amanda, Angie, Alyssa, Daniel, Jimmy, Jaqueline, Sydnee, and Spencer. Even great-grandchildren Eli, Daniel Jr., Ava, Aleena, Levi, Amilia, Aria, Ariana, and Emma will carry on his legacy of love.
A Community Leader
In addition to his distinguished military service, Bo continued to serve his community after retirement, working in security at the Palo Verde Nuclear Plant and later for Honeywell Security for 15 years. He was an active member of various organizations including the VFW, Disabled Veterans, and the American Legion DAV Chapter 20, where he volunteered as the Bar Manager. Saturdays were characterized by lively gatherings for “Bar Bingo” at the American Legion in Glendale, where he enjoyed connecting with fellow veterans and friends.
His enthusiasm didn’t stop there; a fervent Arizona Cardinals fan, Bo loved cozy evenings watching TV shows like NCIS, Storage Wars, and Family Feud, always enjoying a good laugh and cheering for his favorite team.
Final Farewell
Arthur “Bo” Mariano Bojorquez Jr. is survived by his beloved wife Juanita, their daughters, and an extended family that includes his sister Teri Hundry and nephew Ryan Hernandez. A visitation is scheduled for March 21, 2025, at the Advantage Funeral and Cremation Services Maryvale Chapel from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, with a funeral service following from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. A committal service will take place at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona on April 18, 2025, where his life of service will be honored.
While he may have departed from this world, his legacy of courage, love, and service will undoubtedly live on in the hearts of many.
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Additional Resources
- Dignity Memorial: Arthur “Bo” Mariano Bojorquez Jr.
- Wikipedia: United States Air Force
- Dignity Memorial: Arthur “Bo” Mariano Bojorquez Jr. Obituary
- Google Search: Military service medals
- Dignity Memorial: Funeral Services
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vietnam War
