Carmen Medina Arriaga Sr.

Carmen Medina Arriaga, Sr., age 74, longtime Clinton resident, was born July 16, 1952, in Paducah, Texas, to Felipe C. and Juana (Medina) Arriaga, and passed away late Tuesday night, November 10, 2026, in Clinton, Oklahoma.

Carmen was raised in Paducah, Texas, where he spent his early years before leaving home at the age of 16 and making his way to western Oklahoma. Throughout his younger years, Carmen lived and worked in several different places, but Clinton was always the place he returned to. More than 30 years ago, he made his final move back to Clinton, where he remained and made his home.

Carmen was truly a jack of all trades. He began working at a young age as a migrant farm worker and later spent time working in the oilfield. He was also a talented mechanic who could fix just about anything he put his hands on. However, his greatest passion was working on the farm or ranch. He spent many years working as a ranch hand for Keith Pitzer, a job he enjoyed more than any other. Carmen loved the outdoors, working with his hands, and the satisfaction of a hard day's work.

When Carmen wasn't working, he enjoyed fishing, dancing, playing pool, and making an occasional trip to the casino. He was a devoted fan of the Washington Redskins, now known as the Washington Commanders, and enjoyed watching his favorite television shows, Gunsmoke and The Andy Griffith Show. Carmen was also an excellent cook and especially enjoyed firing up the grill for a good barbecue with family and friends.

Carmen was an early riser who believed in getting up and making the most of each day. He was a hardworking man who had learned many lessons throughout his life, and he enjoyed passing that knowledge along to his children and grandchildren. Whether he was teaching them how to work on a vehicle, showing them something around the farm, or simply sharing a little advice about life, Carmen always had something to teach.

One of his favorite sayings to his children was, "You can cry today, tomorrow is another day." It was a simple reminder of the way Carmen approached life. He understood that hard times would come, but he believed in getting back up, moving forward, and facing whatever tomorrow might bring.

Above all else, Carmen loved his children, grandchildren, and growing family. He took great pride in sharing his knowledge, his work ethic, and the lessons he had learned over the years. He may have been a man of many trades, but being a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather was among the most important parts of his life.

Carmen will be remembered for his hardworking spirit, his ability to fix just about anything, his love of ranch life, and the wisdom he shared with those around him. The lessons he taught, the stories he told, and the memories he created will continue to live on through the generations of his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Felipe and Juana Arriaga; his sisters, Dominga Gaitan and Camila Luna; his brothers, Neviez "Snow" Arriaga and Richard Perez; his great-grandchildren, Everett Sutton; and Everleigh Thomas.

Carmen is survived by his son, Carmen Arriaga, Jr., and his wife Charla of Clinton; his daughters, Connie Lopez and her husband Marco, Sr., of Clinton, Ida Perez and her husband Raul of Clinton, Angela Castorena and her husband Agustin of Clinton, and Anna Casias of Clinton; and Adam Seabolt of Clinton, whom Carmen continued to consider a son-in-law and part of the family.

He is also survived by his sisters, Guadalupe Arriaga Rivera of Childress, Texas, Andrea Arriaga Martinez of Clinton, Texas, and Connie Rodriguez of Moore, Oklahoma, John Arriaga and his wife Lisa of Shamrock, Texas.

His surviving grandchildren include Chandler Arriaga and his wife Elsa, Ciara Arriaga, Daniel Lopez, Anthony Lopez, Marco Lopez, Jr., Matthew Perez and his wife Esmeralda, Michael Perez, Natalie Perez-Acosta and her husband Jacob, Jamie Casias, Megan Seabolt, Julie Seabolt, Elena Seabolt, Aaron Seabolt, Amanda Thomas and her husband Matthew, Henry Arriaga, Taylor Sutton and husband Linden, Greg Castorena and wife Marina, Sidnie Adney and husband Aaron, and Austin Castorena and wife Karisten.

Carmen is also survived by 33 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

A Rosary Service will be held at 6:00 PM, Thursday, November 12, 2026, in the Hyman Memorial Chapel, located inside Lee Hometown Funeral Home in Clinton, Oklahoma.

Funeral Mass will be held at 1:30 PM, Friday, November 13, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Clinton, Oklahoma. Burial will follow in the Clinton Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Lee Hometown Funeral Home of Clinton, Oklahoma.