Julio Joaquin Echeverria

Julio Joaquin Echeverria, age 92 of Chandler (formerly a 38 year resident of Casa Grande) passed away on Saturday June 15th, 2024 at his residence.  Born July 1, 1931 in Wickenburg, Arizona.  to his parents, Miguel and Vicencia Echeverria.

Julio was the eighth of twelve children born to Vicencia and Miguel Echeverria, Basque immigrants from Spain.  He was raised in Wickenburg and played multiple sports.  He married Valerie Young "the love of his life" on June 30, 1956 and they celebrated almost 68 years together.  They loved to dance and were often referred t as "Fred and Ginger" by family.  Julio was a rancher through and through.  He and his brothers, Rudy and Robert, purchased Cross Mountain Sheep Company from their parents in 1958.  Together, they ran over 5000 sheep and 500 head of cattle on their ranches outside Wickenburg and Seligman, Arizona.  Both ranches have been in the Echeverria family since 1926.  He was an avid reader and history buff.  In his later years he loved to entertain anyone who would come listen to his stories...and there were quite a few of them!  At the end, he was surrounded by his children, grandchildren, brother and many nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his wife, Valerie Young Echeverria of Chandler, AZ; children, Irene Echeverria of Chandler; Cliff Echeverria of Seligman; Josie Echeverria of Phoenix; Pilar Echeverria-Swanson of Phoenix and Patrick Echeverria of Powell Butte, Oregon; grandchildren, Kristen & Jarrett Salecki, Teague & Rafe Swanson, Kaitlin Echeverria, Kelsey Pinta and Taylor & Lauren Echeverria; siblings; Rudy Echeverria of Maricopa, Arizona and Donald Echeverria of Phoenix. Preceded in death by his parents, Miguel and Vicencia; son, Julio Jr; siblings, Josephine, Mikel, Robert, Domingo, Laura, Roy, Yvonne and Glady; cousin, Irene.