God bless you with many years and hopefully more years to come. We love you! - John Aragon daughters and sons, grandkids and great-grandkids

John Aragon grew up with his grandparents in Austin, Colorado. He married young and moved to Grand Junction, which he’s called home for decades.

His fondest memories are of spending time with his wife and children when he had a day off from his two jobs. He remembers shopping at S. H. Kress’, Woolworth’s, Montgomery Wards and JC Penney down on Main Street, going to the movies at the two drive-ins in town, spending time at the pool in Lincoln Park and going to Dairy Queen for ice cream. He would also pile the family in the station wagon and take road trips to visit family in Delta. Even though money was tight, taking care of his family and spending time with them was a priority.

“It’d be nice to have a lot of money, but money can’t buy happiness,” he said.

In the days before JUCO, Aragon played baseball at Lincoln Park. He also sang and played guitar in a band on the weekends.

“I still try playing my guitar even though my arthritis bothers me,” he said.

Aragon spent many years in construction, but retired from the City of Grand Junction after being a groundskeeper for Orchard Mesa Cemetery. He loves gardening and is quick to offer his help to friends and family with their yards. He also volunteers at the soup kitchen.

“No matter what job I had, I took pride in my work,” he said. “I just try to keep busy—as long as my heart is still ticking, I’ll keep going.”

Aragon lives with his dog, Rosita, who he said is his eyes and ears. He has children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who live in the area and visit regularly.

Aragon turned 90 on March 8. With the exception of his arthritis, he’s in pretty good health. Good genes and longevity run in his family—his mother lived to be 95 and his grandmother lived to be 103.

“As you get older, you’re supposed to be wiser,” he said, “but instead, you suffer with aches and pains and arthritis, and you lose your hearing and vision. But you need to enjoy life and thank God every day for every breath given. That’s what turning 90 is all about. I thank God for this journey of life.”