Stanley M. Bechtol

Stanley M. Bechtol

1942-2024

Los Lunas resident, Stanley M. Bechtol, went to be with the Lord at his home on Thursday, Sept. 5.

Stan was born Feb. 4, 1942, in Wenatchee, Wash., to parents, John and Elizabeth Bechtol. He spent his first year living in a small shack with no electricity on 2,000 acres in the bottom of Moses Coulee near Coulee City, Wash.

The family moved to Bellingham, Wash., in 1943. Stan married Judy Bechtol (nee Munroe), the love of his life, in 1962 and spent 62 wonderful years together. They had three children, Kathleen, Daniel and Michael.

Stan was a gifted educator. He initially taught elementary school, before devoting his career to special education. After retirement, he and Judy sought sunshine and moved to Los Lunas, where he lived until his passing.

Stan was a member of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Los Lunas, and Epiphany Episcopal Church in Socorro.

Stan loved his family, traveling, Southwestern art, board games, reading and, on one occasion, skydiving.

He will be remembered as a kind, gentle man, who never had an unkind word to say about anyone.

Stan is preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Janice Bechtol.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; his brother, Ron (San Antonio, Texas); his daughter, Kathleen (Bellingham); and sons, Daniel (Ferndale, Wash.) and Michael (Torrance, Calif.); and grandsons, Christopher and Jonathan.

Additionally, he loved his “adopted” family in Los Lunas, Roy and Veronica Goforth, and their daughter, June. Roy and Roni helped care for Stan in his last months, and the family will be forever grateful.

Following a celebration of life in Los Lunas, Stan will be interred in the family plot at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale, Wash.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Feeding America.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service, Los Lunas, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.