Eldon Joseph Arsaga, 87, died Monday, October 7, 2013, in Gulfport, Mississippi. He was a resident of the Armed Forces Retirement Home.
He was a native of New Orleans and lived on the Coast after moving to Biloxi from Covington, La., in 2004. He lived at AFRH in Washington DC after Hurricane Katrina until the new home in Gulfport was rebuilt and reopened in October 2010, when he happily returned to the place he considered home.
Mr. Arsaga served in the Marines in the Pacific from January 1945 to August 1946, leaving his home in New Orleans when he was 17 to enlist for World War II. He was one of the last surviving veterans of service in China. He also worked as a newspaper distributor for The Times-Picayune in New Orleans for 43 years, running a paper station in Gretna, La., that he started in 1951, when paper boys threw newspapers that had been folded and packed into big wire baskets attached to the front of bicycles. It was his life's work, and every young teen-ager who went to work for him gave his life's work meaning. He hoped he was helping out in the world. He retired in 1994.
He was a dedicated Saints fan and LSU fan. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary; his brother, Hank; sister, Rita Mae; and parents, Henry and Sidonia Arsaga.
Mr. Arsaga was the proud dad of four children - Cary, Ava, Neil Thomas and their mother, Leal Dugas, and Carla Arsaga. He is also survived by two nephews, Russell and Bryan Arsaga and their children and spouses. He is survived by many relatives from his late wife's family. He is also survived by five grandchildren and many friends.
There will be a memorial service on Saturday, October 12, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Armed Forces Retirement Home Chapel, Gulfport where friends may visit beginning at 9:00 a.m.
Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements
View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.