Obituaries

ALICIA MARIE HICKS July 21, 1986 – May 15, 2020

On Friday, May 15, 2020, Alicia Marie Hicks of Santa Fe, loving daughter, sister and granddaughter, passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness at age 33.  

Alicia was born on July 21, 1986 in Los Alamos, New Mexico to Thomas and Lori Hicks. She graduated from Pojoaque High School, obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from UNM and went on to earn an MBA from NMSU.

Alicia started her career in Student Programs at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, where she was currently working as a senior accountant.

Despite her young age, Alicia exhibited Read More

BARBARA ANNE BACON Dec. 6, 1935 – May 16, 2020

Barbara Anne (Moore) Bacon, 84, of Elk Mills, Maryland, passed away May 16, 2020, of COVID-19 complications.

Barbara was born to the late Herbert William Moore and Catherine May (Drake) Moore in Elmira, NY, Dec. 6, 1935.

She was a 1948 graduate of Carr’s Corners School and a 1952 graduate of Elmira Free Academy. She received her Master’s Degree in Mathematics in 1957 from SUNY-Albany (then called the NY State College for Teachers – Albany), and moved to Los Alamos, NM, in 1958 to join Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (now Los Alamos National Laboratory) Read More

THEODORE ALLAN FRITZ June 25, 1939 – May 15, 2020

Theodore Allan Fritz of Santa Fe, NM and Newton, MA, Professor Emeritus of Boston University, passed away peacefully at home from an extended illness May 15, 2020.

He was born in Kingsport, Tennessee June 25, 1939 to Bernice (Powers) and Theodore C. Fritz.

He graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. degree in Physics and went on to earn both a Master’s Degree and PhD in Space Physics at the University of Iowa. His professional career started with a post-doctoral fellowship at the National Research Council of Canada and NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Read More

ALOMA MARIE NAIVAR April 27, 1942 – May 10, 2020

Aloma Marie Naivar, after a 25 year battle with cancer, died Mother’s Day, May 10, 2020.

She was born prematurely April 27, 1942. She always said being a three-pound premie got her plenty of attention that way. She came home from Taylor, Texas hospital where she was born to the family farm in Coupland, Texas in a shoebox and slept in a dresser drawer until better sleeping arrangements could be made.

Aloma is an uncommon name. Her mother’s name was Anne and she didn’t want her daughter to have a common name like hers. While watching the 1941 romantic adventure Read More

TIMOTHY JOHNSON April 28, 2020

Timothy Johnson, taken too soon from all those who loved him, passed away at the age of 65 shortly after learning that he had developed metastatic lung cancer.

Timothy was born the son of Charles and Fannie Johnson in Atlanta, GA. The second of six children, Tim was always the leader. The other children in the neighborhood followed as he led them in games such as jumping over fences or competing in races. Tim was a child whose personality and drive made people want to help him to succeed. Any opportunity that was offered to him, he took to heart and strove to excel.

Following Read More

ARTHUR L. LAVY Nov. 12, 1938 – May 10, 2020

Arthur L. Lavy, 81, passed away Sunday, May 10, 2020 at his Santa Fe home following his courageous battle with cancer.

He was born November 12, 1938 in Concordia, Kansas, the son of Opal and Lawrence Lavy. He and Sharon Blake were married on March 18, 1961 in Eureka, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Opal and Lawrence Lavy; two brothers, Carl and Larry Lavy; and his sister, Elda Wolf.

Arthur served with the U.S. Army during the late 50’s and later worked for Los Alamos County from June 20, 1966 retiring as the electrical superintendent on December Read More

LAVERNE J. HARBERT June 17, 1925 – April 27, 2020

Laverne J. Harbert, beloved mother, grandma or G-ma, and great-grandma, passed away peacefully at her home with her daughter by her side on April 27, 2020. I’m sure Dad welcomed her home.

Laverne was born on June 17, 1925. She was preceded in death by her parents Irma and Rocky Capps and George Wittich. She was also preceded in death by her high-school sweetheart and loving husband of 64 1/2 years, Tom Harbert in November 2009.

She is survived by her 3 children: Jim, Bob (Vicky) and Sue Harbert. She also leaves behind 4 grandchildren: Kari (Rob), Read More

JUAN (JOJO) JOSE AMADEO MAESTAS May 24, 1922 – Feb. 16, 2020

Juan (JoJo) Jose Amadeo Maestas passed away February 16, 2020 at the age of 97 years old, 3 months short of his 98th birthday.

Jojo was born May 24, 1922 to Navor Maestas and Maria Juana Gallegos in Coyote and grew up in Ohkay Owingeh.

Juan was preceded in death by his parents, Navor Maestas and Maria Juana Gallegos; infant daughter, Victoria; 3 brothers; 2 sisters, Celina and Trinidad.

Juan is survived by his sons, Patrick Maestas Wrigley (Theresa) of Palmdale, CA and Jose Maestas of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Bradley Wrigley (Sydney); Read More

BOBBY JOE PHILLIPS

March 26, 1929 – April 19, 2020

Bobby Joe passed away peacefully of natural causes Sunday, April 19, 2020, with his family by his side. 

Bobby Joe was born three days after the great flood of the Emory River in Oakdale, Tennessee, to the late Artas Phillips.

He was raised in Oakdale, Tennessee by his loving grandmother, Mary Belle Phillips. 

Bobby Joe was preceded in death by his wife Lodean (Shankle) Phillips, his half-brothers Walter and John Headden, and his son Bobby Butler. 

He is survived by his half-brother L. G. Headden (Mildred) of Wartburg, TN; sister-in-law Sarah Kee Read More

CLARINDA LEEP April 23, 2020

Clarinda Leep, 92, passed away on April 23, 2020, finally getting relief from pain after a long struggle with spinal stenosis.

She was born in McMinnville, Oregon and spent her childhood on the north Oregon coast. While living in Pacific City in 1942, a newcomer from Idaho came to town. She was smitten with his adventurous spirit, often going along on his many hikes and explorations. Clarinda married that boy, Richard Leep, in 1946 and they began sixty years of life together.

In 1947, after the birth of their son, they moved to Bozeman where Dick attended Montana State Read More

EILEEN M. (KEARNEY) HORTON Feb. 11, 1930 – April 23, 2020

On April 23, 2020, Eileen M. (Kearney) Horton passed away in Kirkland, Washington.

Eileen Kearney was born in Portland, Oregon, on February 11, 1930. (Ironically, she shared the same birthday with her grandson, Tim Horton). 

Her parents were Maurice (Joe) and Helen Kearney. She had one older brother, Robert (Bob) Kearney and one older sister, Kathleen (Kay) Higgins.

In 1933 her family move to Port Orchard, Washington so her father could go to work at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

Eileen attended her early school years in Port Orchard and, Read More

DAVID W. BECK July 29, 1941 – April 16, 2020

David Beck of Santa Fe, New Mexico, passed away after a lengthy illness on April 16, 2020, at the age of 78.

Dave was born on July 29, 1941, to Maida and Joseph Beck in Walla Walla, WA. He grew up in Richland, WA where he graduated from Columbia High School. In 1961 he joined the Navy and served on the USS Yorktown.

Upon completion of his naval service he began his career in electronics technology, which spanned more than 50 years. After working for several years in the aerospace industry in southern California, Dave moved to Boulder, CO where he joined Ball Aerospace. Read More

THOMAS JAMES (T.J.) COOPER Nov. 8, 1923 – April 11, 2020

Loving husband and father Thomas James (T.J.) Cooper passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2020 and went to be with his Lord for Easter Sunday. 

T.J. was born on November 8, 1923 in Memphis, TN to the late Thomas James Cooper Sr. and Viola Cooper.  He is survived by his loving wife Maxine, and two daughters Nancy Holt, and husband Jim of Las Vegas, NV and Carolyn Cooper of Albuquerque, NM. He has one grandson Joshua Thomas Simpson, and wife Amanda of Ft. Worth, TX and three step grandchildren and their families living in Utah, New Mexico, Read More

BEVERLY SUE AUSMUS RAMSEY Oct. 26, 1947 – April 3, 2020

On April 3, 2020, Beverly Sue Ausmus Ramsey, Ph.D. passed away peacefully at her home in Woodsboro, Maryland.

Beverly Sue Ausmus was born in Fort Worth, Texas on October 26, 1947 to Charles and Helen (Davis) Ausmus. Her father was a Baptist minister who moved the family to Knoxville, Tennessee where Beverly was raised to adulthood.

She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Robert Wilbur Ramsey, Jr., her love, companion, and collaborator. She is also survived by his five children, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Over Read More

GLENNA GOODACRE Aug. 28, 1939 – April 13, 2020

Sculptor Glenna Goodacre died peacefully at her home in Santa Fe on Monday evening after a series of illnesses.

A Santa Fe resident since 1983, Goodacre had an international reputation but is most well-known for the Vietnam Women’s Memorial installed in Washington, DC on the National Mall in 1993 and for the Sacagawea U.S. Dollar first minted in 2000. Her largest piece is the massive Irish Memorial cast in 2002 for Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia.

Glenna Maxey was born on August 28, 1939 in Lubbock, Texas, and knew from an early age that she wanted to be Read More

CAROL A. THORN Aug. 31, 1934 – April 10, 2020

Carol A. Thorn, 85, beloved Mother, was called to her eternal resting place on April 10, 2020. She entered this world on August 31, 1934, in Dayton, OH, born to Harold and Edna Panter.

She is preceded in death by her Husband Cecil W. Thorn, Daughter Tammy Thorn Ledford, Son Cecil W. Thorn, Jr. (Billy), her Parents Harold and Edna Panter, and Brothers Kenny Panter and Bobby Panter.

She is survived by her son Donald Thorn, (Molly), and grandchildren Melissa Thorn, Michelle Thorn Dean, Victoria Rivas, Donald/Alex Thorn, and Cully Reid.

The Panter Family moved Read More

JACOB MANUEL ESPINOZA July 25, 1949 – March 30, 2020

Jacob Manuel Espinoza (Jake) of Houston, TX (formerly of Los Alamos) passed away on March 30, 2020 after a long illness.

Jake was preceded in death by his father Jacob Espinoza, mother, Bernadette Gonzales, stepfather Jack Gonzales and brother Kenneth Gonzales.

He is survived by his loving son, Jacob (Brice) Espinoza, daughter-in-law Natalie, and his beloved grand babies, Jacob and Gentry Mae Espinoza. He is also survived by his siblings; Judy A. Montoya of Surprise, AZ, Clifford L. Gonzales of White Rock, NM and Barbara M. Gonzales of Los Read More

JONI WORTH HYDER April 1, 2020

Joni Worth Hyder, 78, a resident of White Rock, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. 

Joni was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Viola Worth; son, Michael Wachter. 

Joni has been limited in mobility for several years, however she always enjoyed reading. She enjoyed activities that brought her joy like taking rides out toward the oceans for fresh air which gave her a sense of freedom. 

She had spent time in Alaska and Los Alamos as a schoolteacher before joining the Los Alamos National Laboratory as a Radiation Safety Tech.

She is survived by her husband, Read More

ROSEANN ANNA RICHARDSON April 16, 1943 – April 1, 2020

Roseann Anna Richardson passed away on April 1, 2020.

Roseann was born on April 16, 1943 to Jasper and Laura (née Pizaferro) Gelardi in Chicago, Il. She attended St. Ferdinand Grade School, in Chicago, IL; and Notre Dame High School for Girls in Chicago, IL.

Trained in Secretarial work, she held several positions in the Chicago area. In 1966, she married Dennis Stuit in Chicago IL. A son, Timothy was born to them in 1967. She and Dennis were divorced in 1981.

In 1990, she married Paul Richardson of Trevor, WI, in Kenosha, WI. A loving wife and mother, Read More

ELEANOR JEAN MAREK Nov. 13, 1944 – April 1, 2020

Jean was born to Frank & Frances Starzyk of Uniontown, PA in 1944.

She was the oldest of three children and is survived by her sister, Chris Plevin, and her brother, Stan Starzyk. She is also survived by her husband of 54 years, Larry Marek; sons Don Marek (Cindy), of Houston, TX and Bill Marek (Rose) of Scottsdale, AZ; daughter Julie Ann Marek-Griffith (Vince) of Altoona, IA; and grand-daughter Victoria Marek (Bill & Rose).

Jean grew up in Uniontown, PA before moving to Chicago and working for Chicago Title and Trust. She met her husband Larry Read More

GENE HOWARD EBINGER – March 25, 2020

Gene Howard Ebinger, 90, passed away Tuesday, March 25th in Albuquerque following a brief illness.

Gene is preceded in death by wife, Virginia Nylander Ebinger, and favorite dog, Abby. He leaves behind 4 children, 5 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. Son Michael Ebinger (Spokane, WA), wife Britt Ravnan, and two grandsons: Carl and Timothy Ebinger; son John Ebinger (Phoenix, AZ) and partner Kristel Nielson; daughter Annie Apodaca (Custer, SD), husband Victor Apodaca, two grandchildren: Mary and Philip Apodaca (wife Deanza Apodaca), and great-grandson Read More

MARY CAROL WILLIAMS March 24, 2020

Mary Carol Williams, age 77, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2020. She passed peacefully in her memory care facility following a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Mary Carol is preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Joel Mann Williams Jr., her mother, father, and brother.

She is survived by daughter Reine, son Michael, grandchildren Steven and Morgan, and many other family members back home in Virginia. Mary Carol also leaves behind countless friends and colleagues.

Mary Carol was born in Norfolk, Virginia, to John and Mildred Gregory. After graduating Read More

VIVIAN HAKES HACKENBERRY Nov. 9, 1921 – March 25, 2020

Vivian Hakes Hackenberry went into the loving arms of Jesus on March 25, 2020.

Vivian was born November 9, 1921 in Montoursville, Pennsylvania to John and Edith (Barbour) Hakes. On January 13, 1944, during World War II, she married Lester Stephen Hackenberry.

In 1949 the Hackenberrys moved to Los Alamos, NM where she thrived for over 60 years. She loved living in the Southwest, ordered her New Mexico food Christmas and cleared the plate. She was a devoted mother, a member of Crossroads Bible Church, and an active volunteer. In her later Read More

LUKAS DRAKE LUCERO Aug. 9, 1990 – March 18, 2020

Lukas Drake Lucero passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 29. 

Lukas was preceded in death by his grandparents LeRoy and Polly Lucero, his uncle Jimmy Lucero, and his great-grandparents Eloy and Rafaelita Trujillo, Luis and Bernadetta Lucero, and Reymundo and Edinera Ortega.

Lukas is survived by his parents Marco and Sandy Lucero, sister Lorinda Nelson and spouse Xavier, former spouse, Ariana Mancino (and the Mancino family), grandmother Cruzita Trujillo, grandfather Faustin Trujillo, Aunt Pam Ortiz and spouse Sam, Aunt Bernadette Read More

EMMANUEL ANTHONY LOPEZ Dec. 18, 1951 – March 13, 2020

Our Loving God called Emmanuel to Heaven on March 13, 2020. 

Emmanuel was born in Santa Fe to Michael Albert and Eva (Martinez) Lopez on December 18, 1951. 

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by sisters Inez (Tony) Deines and Juanita and by brothers Mike and Paul Eddie. 

He is survived by sisters Rebecca (Orlando) Romero, Roseanne (Bart) Ripp, Lucille, Mary (Steve) Bingham, Josephine, Eva, Patty (Andy) Walker, Frances (Joe) Cotanch and Cathy (Kevin) Karns; and brothers John Jake (Lydia), Tom and Albert.

He is also survived by many Read More

By MARY JEAN HADLEY KERNODLE Jan. 21, 2020

Mary Jean Hadley Kernodle of Truth or Consequences joined her beloved husband, Norman, in the Lord’s presence early Tuesday morning, Jan. 21, 2020 at age 90. She passed while holding her oldest son’s hand as he sang her favorite song, “Jesus Loves Me.”

Mary Jean was born the second of three children to Indiana farmers, Fred and Fern Hadley. Farming and the Depression shaped her into a get-it-done dynamo; yet, she was outgoing and loved to tease.

Norman knew when he spotted the attractive young woman in the bright green dress that she was the one he would marry. Read More

Barbara Ann Brown Feb. 27, 2020

Barbara Ann Brown, AKA Barbara B. Sanderoff, died in her sleep Wednesday morning, Feb. 27, 2020.

She is survived by her son, Larry, her daughters Seanna and Rachel, and her sister Donna. Read More

DONALD W. BARR May 6, 1932 – Feb. 23, 2020

Don Barr was born in Worcester, MA to Addison W. and Evelyn M. Barr on May 6, 1932.

After attending public schools he earned his B.S. in chemistry from the University of Massachusetts. He and Marilyn married in 1954 and moved to Berkeley, CA where Don embarked on a PhD program in radiochemistry at UC under Glenn Seaborg.

After completing his degree Don and Marilyn moved to Los Alamos where Don spent the rest of his career at LANL, achieving recognition for his research accomplishments as a lab fellow, and an E. O. Lawrence award winner. He served as Chemistry Division Read More

KENNETH JOSEPH LA GATTUTA Feb. 20, 2020

Kenneth Joseph La Gattuta, also known Joseph Kenneth La Gattuta or Ken La Gattuta, died February 20th from a rare autoimmune disease and mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lung lining, attributed to asbestos inhalation. 

Ken La Gattuta lived in San Pedro, New Mexico for 25 years with his wife Pam. 

He was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1940 to parents Joseph Anthony La Gattuta, an accountant and graduate of New York University, and Josephine Smith, a housewife and high school graduate.   

Ken La Gattuta lived in New Jersey during his youth, where in the summer Read More

IVAN ‘CHICK’ BERGSTEIN Aug. 14, 1924 – Feb. 11, 2020

Ivan “Chick” Bergstein died Tuesday, February 11, 2020, of natural causes.

He was born August 14, 1924, the eighth of nine children to his mother Teresa Bergstein and thirteenth of fourteen to his father Sigmond Bergstein. 

He was predeceased in death by his wife Charlotte, brothers-in-law Ted and Herman, and twelve of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his sons Steve (Karen) and Ken (Dolores), brother Joe (Frances), grandchildren Kelly (David), Knute and five great-grandchildren.

Chick dropped out of high school in 1942 to join Read More

GARY CLYDE SALZMAN May 25, 1942 – Feb. 7, 2020

Gary was called the “Energizer Bunny” on many occasions, because people noticed he just kept going, and going, and going. That applied to the many, and varied, projects he worked on. He liked to see things through to their completion, and he pressed on to accomplish that goal. 

Unfortunately, the rare, and lethal, undifferentiated anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, that he had been valiantly fighting, finally stopped him dead in his tracks. He succumbed to it on February 7 at the age of 77.

Gary inherited a keen intellect and a kind heart from his parents, Read More

CHARLENE COLE JOHNSON Sept. 30, 1926 – Feb. 4, 2020

Yet another living light in the world has been extinguished. Charlene Cole Johnson passed at home into the presence of her Lord on February 4, 2020 at the age of 93.

She was the daughter of Paul Cole and Maude Mayo, and was born in Leesville, Louisiana on September 30, 1926.

Charlene was raised primarily by her mother’s parents and spent her young years in Leesville and the small townships of Slagle and Cole Central, in the heart of Vernon Parrish, Louisiana. She married Jay W. Johnson at the age of 16 on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1942 at her grandparents’ Read More

DON MILLIGAN Feb. 1, 2020

Don Milligan, 82, of Los Alamos, died peacefully Feb. 1, 2020.

He was born to Pete and Mary Milligan in Kansas City, Missouri, the youngest of three children.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Worth; sister, Anna L.; son, Daniel and beloved wife, Sally.

As a United States Navy Veteran (Korean War), Don was very passionate about helping veterans. After his honorable discharge, Don worked for General Dynamics on the Atlas project before coming to Los Alamos and beginning his career as an engineer. He worked for the Laboratory for many years in different capacities. Read More

AARON R. HARPER June 28, 1979 – Sept. 4, 2019

Aaron R. Harper was born to the late Johnny R. Harper and Margaret M. Harper June 28, 1979.

He was raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and graduated, with honors, at New Mexico Tech. He was employed by Pfizer in Kansas more recently by the Hershey Company in Illinois.

Aaron was a gifted gardener and creative, self-taught chef. His family and friends enjoyed his meals and holidays he hosted. His passions were his family pets and motorcycle riding.

He died unexpectedly Sept. 4, 2019. Read More

FAITH REID ALBERG OSBORNE Jan. 31, 1938 – Jan. 25, 2020

Faith Reid Alberg Osborne, age 81, resident of La Quinta, California, passed away on January 25, 2020 in Los Alamos, New Mexico from natural causes.

She was born in Lexington, Kentucky on January 31, 1938 to Vela B. and Charles Reid, who preceded her in death, as did her husband Robert Osborne, son David Alberg, and sister Rebecca Pope.

Faith was an elementary school teacher and loved teaching kids. She loved music and playing the piano. Her other passions were traveling the world and spending time with her grandchildren.

She graduated with Read More