Justiniano Kline

Justiniano B. Kline, "JB", formerly of Morenci, passed away in Mesa, AZ on November 26, 2019 with his loving family near. He was born on May 13, 1926 in Aragon, New Mexico to parents Gabriel B. Kline & Rafaela Vallejos Kline and his siblings Louis, Fernandez, Aurora, Marcellina and Candelario. JB went to the 8th grade but had to quit to go to work to help support the family. This was during the great depression when funds were scarce. He and his brother Louis went to work as shepherds in the mountains of New Mexico. Later on they worked the cattle ranch that belonged to their father. Soon, WWII came and both brothers went to war, Louis to Europe and JB to the Pacific as a Seabee. He loved his time in the war. He was a boxer in the Navy and was known for not losing a match. He wanted to stay in and further his career in the Navy but his brother's death in Germany determined that he would come back home. After the war, he went to work for Phelps Dodge Corporation (PD). During his tenure with PD he was a truck driver, train engineer for a bit and ultimately worked in the Drilling and Blasting division as a backhoe operator. While in Morenci he met Connie Gonzales and after 4 years of dating they were married on September 20, 1950 at the Holy Cross Church. 8 years later, their daughter Tina was born and 8 years after that, they adopted Renade. JB, at the encouragement of Connie, enrolled in ICS automotive courses, graduating with a certificate in automotive repair. JB had a knack for fixing cars and their home was filled with people needing their cars fixed. He continued to fix cars for people up until Connie got sick. JB worked for PD until 1982 when he was offered early retirement and took it. He then used this opportunity to help his father with the ranch. During this time he fulfilled his promise to God to help his parents. He had made a promise during WWII when his ship was being attacked and asked God to save him and that he would always take care of his parents. He was very grateful to God and honored his parents, taking care of them until the very end. JB also took care of his spouse when she became ill. He was very diligent in his care for her. During this time, his daughter Tina told him that she would take care of him because he took care of her mother. After Connie died, JB continued to take care of James, Connie's brother until he became ill and passed away. JB was asked by Ty, Tina's husband, to come live with them in 2007 because he was catching one cold after another. The following year JB saw the birth of his granddaughter Layla in Germany and 3 months later, his grandson, Logan Michael in Arizona. JB was a very happy man, continuing to oversee the cattle ranch and helping to raise his grandson. In 2014, his son-in-law, Ty passed away unexpectedly and he helped his daughter Tina raise his grandson. He loved to teach him how to fix cars, fix things around the house and play baseball with him. Additionally, he would talk to him about hunting and how to respect guns. One of the things he wanted to do was to teach Logan how to drive. Last October, he saw this as Tina, Logan and JB went to New Mexico to visit the family and while on their land, Logan drove for a bit. JB was very proud of his grandson and happy that he got to see him drive. JB was a very devout man who loved the Lord. Weekly, Tina, Logan and JB would have their own church service at home with worship, scripture discussion and communion and prayer. He loved this and always looked forward to the weekly family time with the Lord. JB was a man of prayer who continuously prayed to God without ceasing. He was known to friends as an example of a Man of God. He is in heaven now and we are proud to have known him and loved him. He is survived by his daughters Tina Kline-McGehee and Renade Hasels, his brother Candelario Kline, grandson Logan Michael Kline-McGehee, his granddaughter Layla Hesels and his dogs Angie & Mocha and his cat Fitzgerald. JB is preceded in death by his loving wife Connie Kline, his parents Gabriel & Rafaela Kline, his brothers Louis & Fernandez Kline and his sisters Aurora & Marcellina Kline. Services will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at the Holy Cross Church in Morenci with the viewing beginning at 9:00 a.m followed by the Recitation of the Rosary at 10:00 and the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00. Interment will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery following services.