Obituary for Joe de Arrieta

Joseph Edwin de Arrieta of Marana, AZ and Winnemucca, NV passed from this life to the next on August 1st , 2025 at his home in Marana. Joe died of a brain virus after a courageous battle with three diagnoses of cancer. During his final days, he was surrounded by his wife, his four wonderful children, relatives and many great friends.

Joe was born November 25, 1940 in Winnemucca, Nevada. His parents, Joe de Arrieta, Sr. and Gertrude McEnerney de Arrieta were life long Winnemucca residents. Joe attended Humboldt County Schools and the University of Nevada-Reno were he earned an undergraduate degree and a Masters degree. Joe was a stand out athlete in basketball, track and golf. Joe served his community as a classroom teacher, coach, athletic director, Vice Principal, Principal and Assistant Superintendent for Humboldt County School District. He was inducted into the Nevada Interscholastic Hall of Fame as an athlete, coach and school administrator in 1994.

Joe is survived by his wife of 37 years Barbara Gallagher de Arrieta, his four children Dennis (Vera) de Arrieta and Drew (RayLynn) de Arrieta of Elko, Nevada, Brennan (Julie) de Arrieta of Missoula, MT, and Anna (Eric) Gullickson of Cashmere, Washington, sister Jessell Peters of Winnemucca, Nevada, brother Jim (Peggy) de Arrieta of Carson City, Nevada, 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Joe is preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

Joe became a snowbird in Arizona in 2002 and then a full-time resident in 2015. He was an avid golfer and spent many wonderful days on the golf course with his many friends. He also was an avid hunter, searching the beautiful Nevada mountains he loved for game. Joe was proud of his Spanish Basque heritage and was known for his excellent cooking of chorizos and game along with serving cocktails such as the picon punch. If you were a friend of Joe de Arrieta's, you were truly blessed.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mark The Evangelist Catholic Church in
Oro Valley on Tuesday, August 26; recitation of the Rosary 1:00 pm, Mass at 1:30 pm.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Ballroom of the Highlands at Dove Mountain
Clubhouse after the service. A separate Celebration of Life will be held in Winnemucca,
Nevada at a later date.

Joe's family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be to made to Ridge 2
River Animal Haven, PO Box 223, Cashmere, WA 98815.