Leopold "Leo" Arko Jr., 83, of Eagle Nest was called home by the Lord on December 20, 2006. Leo was born to Leopold and Marija "Mary" Arko on April 07, 1923 at the family home in the Moreno Valley, NM. In 1944 he joined the US Army and operated a tank in the European Theatre operations against the Nazi invasion of Europe. He returned to the US in 1945 and married Lorene Stocker on July 26, 1945. In January 1952 he returned to the Moreno Valley to help his parents on the Arko Farm. He was employed by the State of NM Highway Department and Colfax County Road Department. He helped build and maintain roads throughout Colfax County but primarily in the Moreno Valley. Leo was part of the team starting the Eagle Nest Volunteer Fire Department. He assisted in installing the antenna and electric lines for the TV repeater line that serves the Moreno Valley. When Leo was a youngster, he and his family helped build St. Mel's Catholic Church in Eagle Nest (all volunteer labor). He was preceded in death by his parents, 12 siblings and a daughter, Janet Johnson. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Lorene Arko, children, Agnes Gibson (Scott), Anna Marie Pabst (Dennis), Ernie Arko (Barbara Lebeck), Michael Arko, William Arko, Leo Arko III (Barbara), Rita Butts (Mike), Nina Arko- Hay (Kenneth Rowlison) and David Arko (Doris). He is also survived by his brother, Louie Rosary was recited on December 22, 2006. Funeral mass was held on December 23, 2006. Both services were held at St. Mel's Catholic Church in Eagle Nest. Interment was held at ETown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to the All Saints Catholic School, 2808 N. Kentucky, Roswell, NM 88201, 505-627-5744. Arrangements by Rivera-Hanlon Funeral Home. www.riverafunerlahome.com