Saturday, January 10, 2009

Many notable people left legacies in county

This story tells a little about some of the notable people who lived in Valencia County and passed away during 2008.

If your loved one isn't listed, that is because his or her obituary didn't provide enough details to tell the story.

January

Andreita Chavez, 93, of Los Lunas, who was active in the Sacred Heart League at San Clemente Catholic Church, died on Jan. 3.

Leroy E. Gutierrez, 55, of Los Lunas, a crossing guard for the Los Lunas Public Schools, died on Jan. 5.

Robert Ulibarri, 56, of Belen, a plumbing contractor and an avid builder, died on Jan. 6.

Vanessa Diane Vigil, 30, of Belen, who never let her cerebral palsy keep her from being happy, died on Jan. 7.

Patsy Bell Aragon, 70, of Los Lunas, who organized a Tamale Fest to collect toys for children in area hospitals, died on Jan. 8.

Nina Garcia of Belen, mother of 11 children and who worked for the Foster Grandparent Program at the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School and Belen Schools, died on Jan. 9.

James Cooksey, 87, of Belen, who served in the U.S. Air Force, died on Jan. 11.

Raymond D. Reddinger, 75, of Los Lunas, who worked for Presbyterian Hospital before retiring and who was a member of the American Legion, died on Jan. 14.

Manuel Yguado Jr., 40, of Los Lunas, who worked at Best Buy and was a team member for Namaste Residential Treatment Center, died on Jan. 14.

Everett E. Fields, 83, of Belen, an Army paratrooper during World War II, died on Jan. 15.

Sharon Sue Rounds, 69, of Belen, who was a private pilot and a real estate agent, died on Jan. 16.

T.J. Wardlow, 74, of Belen, who retired after 42 years of service for the Santa Fe Railway, died on Jan. 16. He was a union representative and an avid musician.

Tomas C. Castillo, 84, of Los Lunas, died on Jan. 19. He was retired from Sandia Base, and he served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Dorothy H. Jones, 82, of Bosque Farms, who'd worked as a nurse in many places including a polio hospital, a reservation and the Veterans Hospital in Albuquerque, died on Jan. 19.

Richard D. Anderson, 57, of Bosque Farms, member of an operating engineers union who loved woodworking and gardening, died on Jan. 20.

Tony Velasquez, 58, of Belen, a former boxer who loved music, fishing and bingo, died on Jan. 22.

John "Johnny" Flowers, 77, of Peralta, who built many homes in Peralta and Albuquerque's North Valley, died on Jan. 22. He also operated A&L's Country Kitchen in Bosque Farms.

Andres A. Ulibarri, 63, of Los Lunas, who was the maintenance man as well as a rosary leader at San Clemente Catholic Church, died on Jan. 22.

Luciana Jaramillo, 92, of Jarales, known for her green thumb, died on Jan. 25.

Benjamin A. Lee, a local rancher and businessman, died on Jan. 22. He was a Mason.

Marthanne Conner Stevens of Belen, who worked for years for TWA Airlines and who was a member of the Red Hat Society, died on Jan. 22.

Eselina "Sally" Cordova, 98, who died on Jan. 27, was a former bus driver for the Belen Schools. She was a member of the Sacred Heart League.

Walter H. Douglas of Belen, who'd serve in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict, died on Jan. 30.

Anna "Annie" Maria Jaramillo, 76, of Jarales, who was active in the Belen Senior Center, died on Jan. 30.

Charles Shigematsu Matsu, 80, of Jarales, a veteran of the U.S. Army who was later active in bowling and radio-controlled airplanes, died on Jan. 30.

Ronald C. Bales of Los Lunas, who ran R&B Sand and Gravel who retired to run a machining business, died on Jan. 31.

February

Joseph N. Garcia, 83, who had been a teacher, counselor, principal and superintendent of the Belen Consolidated Schools, died on Feb. 1.

Agueda C. Baca, 95, of Belen, a member of the Sacred Heart League and the Retired Teachers League, died on Feb. 2.

Ernest Baca, 43, of Pueblitos, a wrestler who was a gentle man, died on Feb. 2 while riding his motorcycle, something he loved to do.

Dan Danielson, 71, of Belen, who served in the U.S. Navy and who enjoyed woodworking and the outdoors, died on Feb. 2. He had been a design engineer for US West Telephone Company.

Trinnie Granillo, 84, of Belen, who loved working with horses, died on Feb. 2.

Ciriaco O. Gallegos, 86, of Tomé, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II and retired from Sandia Base as a master carpenter, died on Feb. 3.

Lincoln Silva, 89, a Belen native who was active in Democratic party politics and who was a World War II veteran of the Army, died on Feb. 4.

Augustina Garcia, 78, of Belen, who sang for years in the Spanish choir at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, died on Feb. 5. She and her husband were hosts of the San Antonio Campground in Jemez for years.

Carol Garrett, 64, of Belen, who worked for the H. Caldwell Motor Co. in Belen and the Bernalillo County Detention Center, died on Feb. 5.

Ernest Sanchez of Belen, a veteran of World War II who'd excelled as an athlete at the University of New Mexico, died on Feb. 5. He was a building contractor and an expert at making adobes.

Robert Felis Zamora, 64, of Peralta, a hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, died on Feb. 5.

Donald Hale, 67, of Belen, who served as a tech sergeant in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years, died on Feb. 7. He worked for the Belen Schools and enjoyed gardening.

Richard A. Montoya, 69, of Belen, a jewelry maker and maker of fine knives, died on Feb. 11. He operated Montoya's Small Engine and Sewing Machine Repair Shop.

Rodney Gene "Bullet" Stump, 64, of Belen, who enjoyed working on cars and classic television shows, died on Feb. 10.

Richard W. Hamby, 69, of Los Lunas, died on Feb. 15. He'd worked for the Bureau of Land Management, sold ranch real estate and loved anything "cowboy."

Adelaida "Ida" J. Vallejos of Belen, who was active in the Catholic Church, died on Feb. 15.

William David Seweber Sr. of Los Lunas, who enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II and who was the founding and associate pastor of Los Lunas Assembly of God, died on Feb. 16.

Mary R. Garcia, 73, of Los Lunas, who worked as a hairdresser supporting her four children after she was widowed, died on Feb. 18. She was a member of the Legion of Mary.

Carolyn K. Gwinn, 56, of Belen, who'd worked for the railroad and who loved to research ancient Indian ruins and the Amish culture, died in February.

Ralph D. Moore of Los Lunas, who worked in law enforcement and was a member of the Moose Lodge, died on Feb. 19.

Melquiades "Mickey" Sanchez, 78, of Peralta, died on Feb. 20. He was active at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, where he was an Eucharistic minitser, lector, sacristan and in the Knights of Columbus. He was a Korean War era veteran and worked for Sandia Labs for many years.

Arlene Frances Maggard, 73, of Belen, who taught first grade and multi-level special needs children, died on Feb. 21.

Mark C. Lindsey of Belen, who was a pilot and worked in avionics and engineering, died on Feb. 22.

Richard L. "Dick" Feldbush, 89, of Belen, an Army veteran of World War II who worked as a logistician for the Department of the Army and who was a Mason and a member of the Optimist Club, died on Feb. 24. He was active in the First Presbbyterian Church of Belen

Margie Gonzales Gallegos, 74, who'd been a bus driver for the Los Lunas Schools, died on Feb. 25.

Joseph Gil Martin of Bosque Farms, who was a veteran of World War II, having served in New Guinea, died on Feb. 26. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and was a retired lineman for an electric company.

Thomas F. Tunnell, 81, of Los Lunas, who served in the Army during World War II and who owned a mechanic shop, died on Feb. 26.

Santiago G. Vallez, 46, died on Feb. 27. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and the Albuquerque Police Department.

Jose Patricio "Pat" Benavidez, 59, of Belen, who served in the Army during the Vietnam Conflict, died on Feb. 28.

Isabel "Belle" Cavazos, 96, of Los Lunas, who'd worked as a supervisor at the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School for 20 years, died on Feb. 28.

Edmundo "Elmer" Luna, 56, of Belen, who served in the Marines during the Vietnam era and who was active in the Disabled America Veterans and the Moose Lodge, died on Feb. 28.

Evelyn M. Tomberlin of Bosque Farms, who worked in a war plant during World War II, died on Feb. 29.

Dora Sanchez Bustamante, 88, of Belen, died on Feb. 29. She had been a social worker for the state and was a former state president of St. Vincent de Paul.

March

James Rowland Miller of Los Lunas, who formerly was involved in a jail ministry and who was a skilled woodworker, died on March 3.

Helen Auge, 87, of Belen, who with her husband, Harry, and his brother, Lee, founded what became Auge Sales and Service, died on March 6. She was active in the Pythian Sisters.

Vidal C. Lopez, 85, of Veguita, who served in the Army as a tail gunner in a B-24 aircraft during World War II, died on March 6. He was a longtime teacher in La Joya and Belen and served as a board member and president of the Socorro Electric Cooperative.

Yvette Baca, 27, of Belen, a 1998 Belen High School graduate who enjoyed spending time with her children, died on March 8.

Clorinda Gallegos of Los Chavez, who'd worked for 20 years at the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School, died on March 8.

Malcolm Starr Long, 76, of Belen, a veteran of the U.S. Army who later volunteered at Elephant Butte Lake State Park, died on March 8.

Beatrice "Bea" L. Stasick of Los Chavez, who'd served in the Women's Army Corps (WACS) and who went back to college at the age of 41 to become a social worker, died on March 8.

Keith Edward Bingham of Belen, who served in the U.S. Navy, died on March 9. He had worked as a welding supervising engineer and was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Vivian Brown Sinclair, 89, of Belen, who'd worked as a telegrapher for the Santa Fe Railroad and who became known as a portrait artist, died on March 9.

Isaac Lawrence Ronnie Benavidez, 16, of Los Lunas, who'd worked at Chili's, died on March 10.

Gilbert M. "Shuga" Medina, 56, of Belen, who owned a business specializing in green chile, jalapeños, tomatillos and mangos, died on March 11.

Bea Mountain of Belen, who taught hundreds of local residents to play piano and who played the organ at many local weddings and funerals, died on March 11.

Philip Leslie Mabry, 88, of Belen, a veteran of World War II and a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, died on March 12.

Richard A. Borgel, 61, of Los Lunas, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam Conflict, died on March 14.

Becky L. Gunter, 55, of Belen, a special education teacher at Los Lunas High School, died on March 14.

Franklin E. Fergerson, 84, a retired Navy lieutenant commander who served for 30 years encompassing three wars, died on March 17. He was a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Manforita "Maria" Pino Morales, 81, of Belen, who loved the senior center and who worked for years at the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School and for the Belen Schools, died on March 17.

Onecima C. Padilla, 89, of Pueblitos, who was known for her homemade tortillas, died on March 17.

Joseph "Joe" Price, 81, of Belen, who had served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, died in March.

Dorothy Carolyn Neigel Tappe, 95, of Belen, who was active in the Presbyterian Women and the Alkali Anns Garden Club, died on March 19.

Fidelina G. Sanchez, 91, of Belen, a member of the Legion of Mary and the Sacred Heart League, died on March 22.

Leova P. Tirey, 88, of Los Lunas, who'd owned Nob Hill Drug in Albuquerque with her husband, died on March 24.

George Burns of Meadow Lake, who'd earned the Purple Heart for his service in Vietam, died on March 24.

Bernice S. Horton, 79, of Belen, an accomplished horsewoman who rode one horse to a Reserve National Championship, died on March 26. She played the violin.

Carmelita "LuLu" O. Jaramillo, 89, of Belen, an accomplished gardener who loved to dance, died on March 26.

Martha Marquez, 63, of Belen, who loved crocheting, cooking and crafts, died on March 27.

Maryann Sachs Jaramillo of Belen, who was homecoming queen and class president at Belen High School, died on March 28. She went on to found Citizens Finance Co. with her husband, Gillie.

Walter F. "Wallie" Rhine, 74, of Belen, an avid fisherman and photographer, died on March 28.

Pablo Sanchez, 84, of Belen, who retired from the Belen Public Schools, died on March 28.

Paul Trujillo, 78, of Belen, who owned the Standard Service Gas Station in Belen and who was a guitar player who appeared on "The Val De La O Show" on television, died on March 28. He was known as a top-notch third baseman.

Janie E. Wheeler, 77, of Bosque Farms, who was the lead administrative secretary for the UNM School of Medicine, died on March 28. She loved gardening, dancing and reading.

Jack Nicoll, 70, of Bosque Farms, who'd been a horse trainer and bronc buster and who loved being a cowboy, died on March 29.

Pat J. Salazar Jr. of Los Chavez, known for his painting, died on March 29. He loved fishing.

Sally (Chavez) Cordova of Jarales, who was active in many organizations at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church including the Legion of Mary and Blessed Sacrament and as a Eucharistic minister, died on March 30. She was instrumental in the remodeling of the old Jarales school into a community center.

April

Betty Jane Crow of Belen, who'd worked in the defense industry for Douglas Aircraft during World War II, died on April 2.

Tyra Oscar Galloway, 85, of Belen, who'd worked for the Santa Fe Railroad for 41 years, retiring as train yard foreman, died on April 4. He served in the military during World War II.

Larry P. August Jr., 48, of Los Lunas, who was a champion track and field athlete at Belen High School and who worked for the Children, Youth and Families Department for 19 years, died on April 5. He belonged to ABATE and the New Mexico Motorcyclists Rights Organization.

Ignacio J. Baca, 89, of Tomé, who was a heavily decorated soldier, having served in the Army during World War II, died on April 6. He was a wonderful farmer who was also known for his rose garden.

Kenneth Joe Fisher, 73, who'd operated Culp's Western Wear and Automotive with his wife and who worked for years with the Santa Fe Railway, died on April 8.

Sandy Gonzales of Los Chavez, who won the New Mexico Center of Nursing Excellence Award and was honored as a News-Bulletin Unsung Hero in 2007 for her contributions to the community, died on April 9.

Rebecca A. "Becky" Guardian Rael Miller, 48, who was a member of the Women of the Moose and worked as a shuttle driver for Isleta Bingo Palace for 14 years, died on April 10.

Ralph John Villela Jr., 51, of Los Lunas, who served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years, died on April 10.

Manuel De Jesus Torres Sr., 93, of Belen, who worked for the railroad for years and then began a landscaping business, died on April 13.

Lee Earl Schmidt, 61, of Los Lunas, who served in the Army during the Vietnam Conflict, died on April 14. He was a well known Arabian horse trainer and was a greeter at Wal-Mart for years.

Arnold L. Luna, 52, of Belen, who served in the U.S. Army and had worked for the Central New Mexico Correctional Facility, died on April 17.

Jack Aguayo, 95, of Los Chavez, a member of the Masonic Lodge and the Cattleman's Association, died on April 18.

Hannah Elizabeth McConnell of Belen, who'd been employed as a Harvey Girl at the Harvey House restaurant before she was married, died on April 20.

Brock West, 50, of Los Lunas, died on April 25. He worked in the mines, gas fields and loved to hunt and fish.

Andrew Torres, 68, of Belen, who'd served in the U.S. Army and was active in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, died on April 27.

Adelino S. Sanchez, 91, of Belen, who'd worked for Forest Products of Albuquerque, died on April 29.

May

Ramonsita "Ramona" Aragon, 99, of Belen, who'd been a member of the Sacred Heart League and the Blue Army of the Virgin Mary, died on May 1.

Karen Marie Ziene, 62, of Highland Meadows, who'd worked at the Belen Wal-Mart store, died on May 2.

Ronda Lu Duncan, 70, of Belen, who worked with the Boy Scouts for 20 years and worked as a floral designer, died on May 4.

Annie Marquez, 95, of Adelino, who regularly won ribbons at the county fair for her beautiful flowers, died on May 5.

Jewel D. Allan, 95, of Los Lunas, who'd worked as a Harvey Girl at the Grand Canyon and in Gallup, died on May 6.

Frank A. DeRose, 90, of Jarales, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, died on May 6. He was an ironworker.

Michael William Morier of Belen, a special education teacher who taught at reservations in the Southwest and was an early proponent of teaching deaf children a combination of sign language and lip reading, died on May 6. He was also an artist who made jewelry.

Stephen J. Zemanek, 78, of Los Lunas, who was an avid model ship builder for 50 years, died on May 6.

Bences B. Romero, 73, of Contreras, who served with his wife as mayordomos for San Juan Catholic Church, died on May 7. He worked for the Motor Vehicle Division and the Socorro County Highway Department.

Juanita Jenny Romero, 88, of Belen, who was a Eucharistic minister at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, died on May 7.

Elias Pete Castillo, 65, of Peralta, who worked at Lovelace Bataan Hospital and was a first sergeant with the New Mexico National Guard for 24 years, died on May 10.

Charles Alton Drake, 52, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a deacon at the First Baptist Church of Los Lunas, died on May 10.

Ronald J. Van Theemsche, 53, who helped with the Los Lunas High School JROTC program and who was the Cub Master of Pack 116, died on May 11.

Filo M. "BoBo" Sedillo II, of Belen, who'd served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict, who'd worked in the nation's Capitol as a police officer and who served as Valencia County Democratic Party chairman, died on May 12. He had been a Realtor.

Thelma L. Douglas, 81, of Belen, who'd worked for the Mountain Bell Telephone Company and who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, died on May 14.

Ruth R. Bartley, 85, of Los Lunas, who'd worked as a "Rosie the Riveter" during World War II, died on May 15. She was a school bus driver for the Los Lunas Schools until her retirement at age 70.

Tercila Baldonado Zambrano, 75, of Bosque, who'd worked at the Los Lunas Training School for 17 years, died on May 15.

Fred Garms, 78, of Bosque Farms, who worked for the Village of Bosque Farms after working for AT&T, died on May 18.

Geraldine DeForest Wallace Komuro, who worked as a social worker and who was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, died on May 18.

Thomas Eugene Broderick, 78, of Belen, who served in the Army and was known as a photographer, died on May 19.

Bonifacio Montoya, 66, of Los Chavez, who worked for the Department of Corrections for 23 years, died on May 20. He was also a cabinet builder.

Elizabeth T. "Betty" Baca, 76, of Los Lunas, died on May 21. She served in the Army during the Korean Conflict and sang professionally in her youth.

Wilma Lee Howell Berlier, 82, of Los Chavez, who was active in the schools, the Valencia County Fair Board, 4-H, the Valencia County Republican Party and the Cowbelles, died on May 22.

Henry Serna, 71, of Belen, who served in the Navy in Okinawa and Korea and then joined the Army and served in Vietnam as a field medic, nurse and medevac specialist, died on May 23.

Janice Lynn Duran, 63, of Los Lunas, a longtime employee of the University of New Mexico Continuum of Care Project, died on May 23.

Maria Melinda Sanchez Orona of La Constancia, a member of the Tomé Land Grant who was active in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, died on May 23.

Luke Vandi, 19, of Los Lunas, an honor student attending the University of New Mexico-Valencia Campus and a former captain of the Los Lunas Tigers football team, died on May 23.

Santiago F. "Jimmy" Torres, 87, of Peralta, an Army veteran of World War II, died on May 24.

Irene Armstrong, 93, of Belen, who was a nurse who worked at the hospitals in Belen and Socorro, died on May 26.

Joe Ortega, 81, of Los Lunas, who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and worked as a barber, died on May 26.

Roger Kennedy Easton, 76, of Bosque Farms, who raised prize-winning orchids and volunteered as a dog rescuer, died on May 28.

Ronald Kent Hungate, 67, of Los Lunas, a veteran of the Vietnam War, died on May 30.

Robert Charles Foster, 80, a World War II and Korean Conflict veteran, died on May 31. He was a retired National Parks ranger.

June

Jose C. Gabaldon, 95, of Los Lentes, who was integral in the upkeep of his beloved San Antonio Mission and who was known as a master cement finisher, died on June 2.

Emma Maria Gurule, 75, of Tomé, a former foster grandmother at the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School, died on June 5.

Pat R. Jaramillo, 63, of Belen, founder and owner of Pat's Barber Shop, died on June 4.

Thomas R. Dunlap, 54, of Los Lunas, who ran an automotive scrap and recycling business in the South Valley for a number of years, died on June 4.

Floyd E. Montoya, 62, of Tomé, a deputy sheriff for 15 years and county undersheriff in 2008, died on June 9.

Kaley Brophy, 39, of Los Chavez, who loved volunteering at the Tomé Senior Center, died on June 6.

Gabrielle Mourisha Herrera, 20, of Los Lunas, who loved music, basketball and motorcycles, died on June 10.

Jose I. Garcia, 91, of Los Chavez, who won the Victory Medal for his service during World War II, died on June 15. He and his wife were padrinos of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Los Chavez for several years and he was a longtime farmer.

Joy Kay Hobbs, 62, of Belen, who had been a teacher at Belen Middle School, died on June 17.

Lois Peters, 85, of Belen, a member of the Valencia County Extension Club, died on June 18.

Ted Lehman, 71, of Belen, a retired physicist who had worked his way through college as a park ranger, died on June 19 after a day of fishing.

William "Bill" Goodson Gallup, 54, of Belen, who was a professional cook, guitarist, singer, songwriter and actor in several movies including "Young Guns II," died on June 22.

Steven J. Gonzales, 69, of Los Lunas, a retired clinical social worker for the State Department of Health, died on June 22. He was active in the Belen Elks and many other organizations.

Lionel Shenken, 80, of Belen, who'd been one of the most popular independent film producers in Canada, died on June 23. He produced and directed more than 2,000 television episodes.

Ernesto Lucero, 76, of Belen, a veteran who served in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict, died on June 26. He was a charter member of the Belen Elks.

Rosendo C. Garcia, 79, of Pueblitos, who'd been a mayordomo at San Isidro Catholic Church, died on June 27. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict and was a building inspector for the City of Belen.

Lewis Dale Farmer, 52, of Veguita, a stocker at Wal-Mart in Belen who loved cooking and fishing, died on June 29.

July

Catherine "Bobby" Petik, 80, of Belen, a longtime employee of the Quest Telephone System and a member of the Telephone Pioneers, died on July 2.

Joe S. Sanchez, 81, who owned several local real estate, land companies and apartments, died on July 2. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Shane Edward Hutcherson, 44, of Belen, who loved the work he did with Jim's Tree Service for 18 years, died on July 5.

November

Donald Lee Morrison of Los Lunas, who served in the U.S. Army and who was a longtime teacher in the Albuquerque Public Schools, died on Nov. 2. He was a member of the Cherokee Nation.

Army Garcia of Belen, who served in the Navy during World War II, surviving the sinking of an aircraft carrier, died on Nov. 3. He worked for the railroad and as a cowboy.

Virginia Casados Clark, 80, of Los Lunas, known for her straw appliqué crosses and other artwork, died on Nov. 4.

Carol Dee Lyle Richardson of Belen, who'd been a member of many groups including the Alkali Anna Garden Club, died on Nov. 5.

Roberta Anne "Bobbi" Carbajal, 56, of Belen, a longtime piano teacher and an active member of Grace Fellowship, died on Nov. 6.

Eligia Torres of Belen, who was a pioneer restauranteur with her husband, opening Pete's Café in 1949, died on Nov. 8. She had received the Belen Chamber of Commerce's Infinity Award in 2007.

Jimmy Bruce England, 80, of Bosque Farms, who served in the Navy in Alaska and helped build interstate highways throughout the state, died on Nov. 9.

Jeanette Powers Pappas of Belen, who'd owned Choices restaurant in Rio Communities with her husband and who was active in local community theater, died on Nov. 9.

Gergory Keith Pope of Los Lunas, a veteran of Desert Storm, died on Nov. 9.

William Andrew McKinley of Belen, who worked in construction and at New Mexico Tech., died on Nov. 10.

Jaret Thomas Jaramillo, 24, of Los Lunas died on Nov. 12. He had asked to be an organ donor and that became his final legacy.

Margaret Buckley, 89, of Los Lunas, who was a member of the Chippewa tribe and who loved to cook, died on Nov. 15.

Rafael Garcia Jr., 84, of Los Lunas, who was an excellent mechanic and an avid fisherman, died on Nov. 15.

Megan Hild, 20, of Los Lunas, who was working toward an associate's degree in radiology and general studies, died on Nov. 15. She loved children.

Refugio "Cuco" Gonzales, 84, of Belen, an army veteran of World War II, died on Nov. 15.

Ralph C. Aragon of Tomé, who was a member of the Teamsters Union and who was married for 55 years, died on Nov. 16.

Roberta Crowder Massegee, 80, of Belen, who'd been active in the Baptist church, died on Nov. 16.

Rupert R. Gallegos, 62, of Belen, who was active in the Belen Senior Center and loved matanzas, died on Nov. 17.

Constance Marie "Connie" Norris, 80, of Belen, who retired from the BNSF after 20 years of service, died on Nov. 17.

L. Renee Ross, 78, of Bosque Farms, who earned a master's degree in public administration and who worked in the New Mexico Department of Human Services and was a docent for the New Mexico Natural History Museum, died in November.

Sara Leboeuf, 71, of Belen, who was a longtime nurse, died on Nov. 18.

Elias "Lejoe" Maez Jr., 68, of Valencia, who founded and operated Maez Drilling with his wife, died on Nov. 19.

Soylita "Sally" Castillo, 91, of Belen, who was active in the Sacred Heart League at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, died on Nov. 20.

Albin Krassnitzer, 79, of Peralta, who'd owned a dairy for 25 years and who had immigrated from Austria, died on Nov. 24.

James Glennon La Font Jr., 66, of Belen, who coached YAFL football and Little League baseball, died on Nov. 24.

Juanita Ellen Fagan, who worked as a Harvey Girl, died on Nov. 25.

Raquel "Rachel" Jaramillo, 101, of Belen, who belonged to many organizations at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church and who was a charter member of the Rio Grande Estates Fire Department Auxiliary, died in November. She had been a padrino for the 1966 Belen Fiestas.

Ernest G. Sanchez, 85, of Belen, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, marching all the way to Germany, died on Nov. 26. He had been a superintendent and general manager of the Rio Grande Conservancy District.

Maria Concepcion "Concha" Sanchez, 99, of Belen, who was a member of the Spanish Choir and other groups at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, died on Nov. 26.

Arthur "Lacho" Mireles, 62, of Los Lunas, who was a Army veteran who served in the Vietnam Conflict, died on Nov. 27.

Robert Roy New, 51, of Los Lunas, who loved fishing, hunting and grandbabies, died on Nov. 29.

Ginger Pinkham, 62, of Bosque Farms who worked as a nurse and then as a long-distance trucker with her husband, died on Nov. 30.

Kathleen K. Hetter, 86, of Los Lunas, who was known for her beautiful garden and seamstress work, died on Nov. 30.

December

Martin Leeroy Davis of Meadow Lake, who loved talking to friends on his CB radio, died on Dec. 2.

Lorenzo J. Gallegos Jr., 58, of Los Lunas, a member of the plumbers union, died on Dec. 2.

Dimetrita "Tita" Gabaldon of Los Chavez, who ran a grocery and filling station with her husband, died on Dec. 3.

Brandi Taylor Moore, 11, of Belen, an honor roll student at Belen Middle School who wrote poetry and was a gifted musician, died on Dec. 5 months after undergoing a heart transplant. She was a member of the choir at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church.

Robert L. Sanchez, 66, of Belen, a veteran who served in the Air Force and a longtime employee of the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School, died on Dec. 6.

Robert Lindberg, a dentist and a former member of the Belen Board of Education, died on Dec. 7. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

Hulon M. Blaylock Sr., 46, of Los Lunas, a gifted musician who played guitar, died on Dec. 8.

Frank Metzler, 87, who'd been a cattle rancher in Bosque, died on Dec. 8, He served in the Navy during World War II and was highly decorated. He was a civil engineer.

Dora Couch Baldwin, 99, of Rio Communities, who had retired from service with the Department of the Army in Washington, D.C., died on Dec. 9. She organized the XYZ Club to greet newcomers.

Richard "Rick" R. Garcia, 53, of Belen, who was a highly honored executive for Sears and a former risk management officer for Sandoval County, died on Dec. 9.

Charlotte Mae Owen, 85, of Belen, a former fashion model who later operated a horse farm, died on Dec. 9.

Consuelo Baca, 85, who grew up on the historic Tomé Plaza, died on Dec. 14. She was known as a baker and gardener.

Margaret Vaisa Garcia, 54, of Los Lunas, who was a supervisor for the Los Lunas Hospital and Training School, died on Dec. 12.

David Vivian Silva, 37, of Belen, who worked in the construction industry, died on Dec. 12.

Robert "Bill" Killiam, 61, of Meadow Lake, who played Santa Claus for many years, died on Dec. 15.

Lois Kae Jenson, 68, of Los Lunas, who had been active in rodeo when she was young and who worked as a legal secretary for 44 years, died on Dec. 16.

Roberta Perea-Garcia, 33, of Los Lunas, known for her wonderful homemade goodies and her sense of humor, died on Dec. 16.

Kenneth J. Britton, 93, of Belen, an avid photographer who built and flew his own airplanes, died on Dec. 18. He fought in Northern France, the Rhineland and Normandy with the Army during World War II.

Mary Cox, 75, of Bosque Farms, who enjoyed genealogy and was an expert in movies. He died on Dec. 18.

Wanda Paris, 80, of Los Lunas, who was active in the Bosque Farms Rodeo Association, Roadrunners Riding Club, Valencia County Fair Queens Association and 4-H, died on Dec. 18.

Celso Sanchez, 83, of Los Chavez, who lived on the farm where he was born and who served as a Eucharistic minister and was a member of the group that put on "La Pastorela," died on Dec. 19. He worked for Sandia National Labs for 25 years.

Lynn Marie Castillo, 45, of Peralta, who taught at her church and worked at the 2nd Judicial Court as a project manager, died on Dec. 20.

Annette Rose Conlon, 61, of Belen, who was active in the Jehovah's Witnsesses, died on Dec. 20.

Bob Spurlock, 86, of Belen, who was an active member of the First United Methodist Church and who served in the Air Force during World War II, died on Dec. 20. He worked in retail sales for many years.

James Harrison Pettis of Los Lunas, who worked for ACF and General Electric for decades, died on Dec. 23. He was a charter member of the Belen Moose Lodge.

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