Sam "Shadow" Navarrette

Sam "Shadow" Navarrette was born on October 13, 1934, in Artesia, NM to Prajedes and Panfila Navarrette. He was called home on April 20th, 2026. He grew up in Artesia with his family and later went into the Air Force where he was a jet mechanic. Upon his release from the Air Force, he met his wonderful wife Carolyn, whom he spent 68 loving years with and had 8 children. He was extremely proud to become a deacon in the Catholic church where he served throughout New Mexico from 1983 to 2013. Wherein he counseled inmates, gave marriage preparation classes to many couples in the community and baptized countless babies. In his free time, he played the guitar in the church choir and also enjoyed playing for his family. He also spent time playing pool, dominos, painting, and doing crossword puzzles. He was a hard worker who held many titles throughout his life and was always a great provider for his family where he and his wife served as foster parents. Sam was always an avid Dallas Cowboys fan and enjoyed watching the games throughout the season.

Sam is survived by his wife and his children: Sammy Joe and Mary, Grace, Jerri, Chris and Mary Ann, Adam and Irene, Jeff, Arthur and Sherry, Lisa, twenty grandchildren, and thirty-one great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his son David, daughter in law Shannon and numerous brothers and sisters.