Joseph Arcenio DesGeorges, Jr.

Joseph Arcenio DesGeorges Jr., beloved brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, passed from this world on November 7, 2025, after a long and devoted life marked by love of family and service to his country. Joseph passed away exactly nine months to the day after the death of his wife of 68 years, Mary Katherine DesGeorges.

He is survived by his three children and their spouses, five granddaughters, and two great-grandsons. He leaves behind sons Joseph A. DesGeorges III (Janet) and John David DesGeorges; daughter Anne Louise (DesGeorges) Sanchez (Roy Sanchez); granddaughters Leah (Sister Teresa Christine), Danielle (Jon Greany), Sara, Mallory, and Jenna; and great-grandsons Hendrix and Hudson, who dearly loved their great-grandpa.

A proud veteran, Joseph served honorably in the United States Army during the Korean War. His commitment to duty and country remained a defining part of his character throughout his life.

After his discharge from the Army, Joseph met Katherine, and they were married in 1956. They made their home in Los Alamos (and later in White Rock), where he began a remarkable 40+ year career with the Pro Force at Los Alamos National Laboratory. His steadfast dedication earned him the respect of his colleagues and the admiration of all who knew him.

Joe and Katherine raised their three children in White Rock and lived there until their final move to Albuquerque in 2021 to be closer to family.

Born in Taos, New Mexico, Joseph loved to share stories of his youth growing up in that small mountain town. He often reminded his granddaughters, gathered around the Christmas tree filled with presents, that as a child he would receive an orange in his stocking-and be thrilled. He told tales of riding horseback into the mountains to hunt and fish, skiing behind an old pickup truck down the main road of Taos, and hearing the church bells ring during World War II to mark the loss of a friend or neighbor-moments that brought the community together.

Joseph was a friend to all he met and had a gift for finding familiar faces wherever he went. He and Katherine traveled over the years with family, visiting Italy, China, and Australia, and for many years gathered the entire family in Aspen for the Fourth of July. He will be remembered for his generosity, warmth, and good spirit-no matter what life brought his way.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Katherine, and by his siblings Ernest, Louis, Margaret, Beatrice, Juanita, Eddie, Joseph, and Patrick. He is survived by his sister, Marion Gusdorf of Taos.

A Rosary will be held at the Shrine of St. Bernadette in Albuquerque on December 5, 2025, at 9:30am, followed by a Mass and Reception. Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery at 2:30pm.