The Newspaper of Record since 1878
Paul C. Licano, 86, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and children on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, after a lengthy illness. He was born on Nov. 21, 1936, to Frances Cota and Pablo Licano in Jerome, Arizona. They then moved to Miami, Arizona. He graduated from Miami High School in 1957. He attended EAC, earning an Associate of Arts Degree in 1997.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1957. During his time in the Air Force, he married the love of his life Emilia Ybarra Medrano. They were married at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Miami, Arizona, on Dec. 30, 1961.
In 1969 he enlisted in the Arizona National Guard, serving with the 161st Air Refueling Group (Copperheads), with deployments in countries all over the world. He also served in the Middle East during the Desert Storm conflict. He served our country for 33 years, retiring in 1996 with the rank of Sr. Master Sergeant. He also worked for the copper mines for 13 years and the State of Arizona Emergency Management for 15 years. He also served as the vice mayor for the Town of Miami, Arizona.
He is preceded in death by his mother Frances and his father Pablo; his brothers Ruben and Raymond; his sister Guadalupe Badilla; and son-in-law Phillip Griego. He is survived by his wife Emilia; his children Paul (Nancy), Terri Griego, Mark (Shannon), Meg Pierce and James Licano; 11 grandchildren; his brothers Robert, Manuel and Tony; and his sisters Carmen Eriksen, Rosa Bitar and Mary Mejia.
Visitation will be at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. Rosary at 9:30 a.m. and funeral mass at 10 a.m., followed by burial at Mountain Breeze Memorial Gardens.
Assisting the family: Lamont Mortuary of Globe.
