Obituaries

HOWARD F. GUTHRIE Aug. 17, 1959 – Nov. 14, 2014

Howard F. Guthrie, age 55, of Albuquerque, NM, flew straight up to heaven on November 14, 2014, following a tragic plane crash in the San Juan National Forest, near Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

Howard was born August 17, 1959, in Santa Fe, NM. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1978 and later served in the U.S. Navy. He lived a life full of adventure and never bypassed an opportunity to make a memory, making many life-long friends along the way. After exploring the country, he settled his family in Albuquerque and built his business as an auto mechanic. Read More

DONALD J. LISKA Nov. 3, 1929 – Dec. 26, 2014

Don Liska, 85, died at home after a brief illness with Alice, his wife of 59 years, by his side.

Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Don received his Bachelor and Master Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. It was there that he met Alice. Don and Alice were avid members of the UofW Hoofers, an outdoor enthusiast club where they discovered their love of climbing and the outdoors. Don was drafted into the US Army immediately upon his graduation and served for 2 years.

Don began his career as an Engineer in Culver City, CA at Read More

MARTHA JEAN FERRELL Sept. 2, 1935 – Dec. 29, 2014

Martha Jean Ferrell, 79, died Monday, December 29, 2014 at the Four Season’s Specialty Care Unit at Aspen Ridge Retirement Community in Los Alamos, NM. After a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease, Jean died peacefully in her sleep.

She is survived by her son, William and wife Barbara Ferrell of Los Alamos; one sister, JoAnna Richardson of Boulder, Colorado; and one brother Harold and wife Esther of Hays, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert B. Ferrell, her parents Lucille and John Perrett, and brother-in-law Steve Richardson. Read More

JOYCE KATHRYN LANDRY BLANCO Dec. 19, 2014

Joyce Kathryn Landry Blanco passed away December 19, 2014. 

A Celebration of Life will be held Monday, December 29, 2 o’clock at the White Rock Baptist Church.

Joyce is preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Charles Blanco; parents Tony and Marie Landry; and brothers Harvey and Allen Landry. She is survived by her sister, Irene Collins; daughter Linda and husband Roger Huchton; son Clark and wife Judy; son Tom and wife Colleen; grandchildren Kristin and husband John Hofferberth; Marie Huchton; and James Blanco; and great-grandchildren Read More

PATRICK ALAN MINOR July 23, 1953 – Nov. 5, 2014

Patrick Alan Minor died November 5th, 2014 at Gentiva  Hospice in Albuquerque, NM. Pat, a Christian, was loved and adored by his family and friends and will be sorely missed.

Pat was born July 23, 1953, at Keesler AFB, near Biloxi, Mississippi, to Robb and Shirlee McDonald Minor. His pre-school years were spent in D’Iberville, Mississippi, and Manhattan, Kansas. In D’Iberville, he enjoyed chasing cows and hiding under the house which was built on concrete blocks – much to his Mother’s consternation. In Manhattan, Read More

ELMO CDE BACA Dec. 20, 2014

Longtime Los Alamos resident, Elmo Cde Baca passed away on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, in his home. He was 88 years old.

He was born and raised in Las Vegas, New Mexico, graduating with a degree in Biology from Highlands University. He served in the US Navy during WWII as a medical corpsman.

Elmo began his life on the “hill” as a Zia company painter. Throughout his life he has owned a variety of successful Los Alamos businesses and has developed commercial property throughout the downtown area. He worked his whole life to try to make the county codes more development friendly. Read More

JIMMIE ALLEN BROTHERS Nov. 30, 2014

Jimmie Allen Brothers, 62, a resident of Bandelier National Monument in Los Alamos, passed away peacefully at home following a brief illness on Sunday, November 30, 2014.

He was preceded in death by his parents, LeeRoy and Mary Dorothy Skelton-Brothers and sisters, Mary Schroder and Debbie Brothers.

When he was in the military, he worked on the Pershing Missle and radar repair and control. Jimmie also had 32 years in the National Park Service. Jimmie marred Monica in Great Bend, KS on February 9, 1976. He enjoyed spending time with his grandson, Austin.

Mr. Read More

TERESA BACA SMITH Dec. 4, 2014

Teresa Baca Smith (nee Salazar), longtime resident of Los Alamos, previously of Santa Fe, passed away on December 4, 2014. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Smith; parents, Odila and Joaquin Salazar; brothers Jack, Robert, Tom and Rudy Salazar; and sisters Lydia Silveria and Ofelia Apodaca.

She is survived by her son, Mark Baca of Platteville, Wisconsin; daughters Diana Baca of Denver, Colorado and Paula Baca of Ashland, Oregon; granddaughter Arianna Brooks of Ashland, Oregon; sister Clara (Joe) Briones of Santa Fe; brother Dennis (Julia) Read More

BRET E. KNAPP Aug. 21, 1958 – Nov. 18, 2014

Bret Knapp, 56, a dedicated family man with a dry wit and wry welcoming smile, died recently after a short but valiant battle with cancer. Knapp is survived by his wife, Sheryl, and two sons, Cameron and Trevor. He is also survived by two brothers and a sister.

Born and raised in Livermore, CA he was the son of Dr. Myron William Knapp and Dorris Riggs Knapp. Myron was the first test director at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory conducting nuclear tests in the atolls of the South Pacific, as well as the Nevada Test Site. Dorris was passionate Read More

ELIZABETH “LIZ” LISA QUINTANA Nov. 29, 2014

Elizabeth “Liz” Lisa Quintana, 37, a resident of Santa Cruz passed away from an automobile accident on Saturday, November 29, 2014.

She was preceded in death by her father, Heremenjildo Quintana; paternal grandmother, Maria Reyes, paternal grandfather, Francisco Quintana, maternal grandparents, Ramon Leyba and Dorothy Montoya.

Liz was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and cousin. Her passion was bowling and she could sit and watch movies, a couple of her favorites were Hunger Games, Hercules, among many others. Read More

ANNABELLE HONNELL Dec. 26, 1929 – Dec. 1, 2014

Annabelle Honnell, 84, beloved wife and mother and a forty six-year resident of Los Alamos, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2014.

She was born December 26, 1929 in Huntington, W.V. where she attended St. Joseph High School and graduated from Marshall College. In the course of her career, she worked for the Army Corps of Engineers, General Electric, where she met her future husband Richard and the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. She loved the outdoors of New Mexico, and enjoyed hiking, playing bridge, woodworking, painting, going on family camping Read More

LEONA MEDINA TIEDE Nov. 29, 2014

Leona Medina Tiede, 73, a resident of Chimayo, passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 29, 2014 surrounded by her loving family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank Medina and Julia Roybal Medina; in-laws, Lawrence Tiede and Virginia Stobing Tiede; three brothers, Emilio, Michael, and Leonard Medina; brother-in-law, David Dominguez; niece, Carol Trujillo Gomez.

Leona was born in Jerome, Arizona, a copper-mining town, and grew up in Chimayo next to El Santuario de Chimayo. As the eldest of eleven children she spent her youth helping her mother Read More

Patricia Ann Bass Barr Sept. 17, 1955 – Nov. 21, 2014

Patricia Ann Bass Barr passed away on Nov. 21, 2014. She was 59 and had been struggling with liver disease. Patricia was born in Columbia, Tenn. on Sept. 17, 1955 to Charles and Wilma Bass.

She attended school in Columbia, TN and graduated high school 1973.  She attended David Lipscomb College and graduated with a degree in accounting in 1977. Patricia met and married Stuart Bowling in 1983 and moved west to Los Alamos, N.M.  There she found employment with Los Alamos County where she worked until her retirement in 2009.

She and Stuart Read More

Gavin Vaughan March 14, 1931 – Nov. 14, 2014

Gavin Vaughan, of Alvin, Texas, passed away at age 83, on Friday, Nov. 14, 2014. Gavin dedicated his life to serving the Lord and had a great love for all people.

Gavin is survived by: three  children – Cullene Hobbs and husband Larry; Gavin Vaughan II and wife Shelby; and Debbe Vaughan; five grandchildren – Kevin Hobbs and wife Tara; Travis Hobbs and wife Shandar; Jena Polly and husband Scott; Cody Jones and wife Lynsey; Chelsae Haines and husband Matt; and five great-grand children – Keller Hobbs, Rylyn Hobbs, Reagan Haines, Kaiden Polly and Kennedy Read More

WALTON CHAPMAN Oct. 20, 1927 – Nov. 16, 2014

Walton Chapman, 87, went home to the Lord on Sunday, November 16, 2014. Born in Savannah, Georgia, Oct. 20, 1927 to George Walton Chapman and Helen Brandt Chapman, Walt was married to Joan Wallace, now deceased, for 54 years.  

Walt graduated from Texas Christian University with a degree in Psychology. He served in the USMC during WWII. He started Walton Chapman Builders Company in Santa Fe in 1966 developing some of the finest home and office communities in Santa Fe. During his time in Santa Fe, Walt was active in the community through philanthropy Read More

JEAN MARIE PARKER Dec. 11, 1922 – Oct. 25, 2014

Mrs. Jean Marie Parker (née Norman), a 52 year resident of Marietta, Georgia, died peacefully in Kennesaw, Georgia, on October 25, 2014, at the age of 91. Jean always considered her life a “joyful journey”.

Jean was born on December 11, 1922, in Hitterdal, Minnesota, to Clara Charlotte Sanders and Henning Rogatious Norman. She grew up on their farm in Hawley, Minnesota, with her three sisters and three brothers. She graduated from Hawley High School in 1940, and moved to Grant, Nebraska, to help with her Aunt Annie and Uncle Merle’s restaurant, subsequently Read More

MARTHA LOU DAVIS Aug. 20, 1953 – Oct. 8, 2014

Martha Lou Davis was a relative newcomer to Los Alamos, but quickly adapted her gardening style to the Southwest, practicing xeriscaping and permaculture. On a small number of fruit trees in her backyard she grafted over 100 fruit varieties including apples, pears, and apricots. It’s been said that her yard is one of the most fertile parts of Los Alamos.

Martha was born on August 20, 1953 in Dallas, OR to Crystalle and Paul Davis. The family moved to Corvallis, OR where she completed high school. After a year at Earlham College, she returned to the University Read More

FAYE HAND Feb. 16, 1932 – Oct. 3, 2014

Fay Hand was an amazing woman. She loved cooking large fancy holiday dinners, shopping, time with her family, gardening, kitty-cats, and (surprisingly) the Phoenix Suns basketball team. For those of us that knew her, it is with fond memories that we look back on her life. For those of you that didn’t know her quite as well, this is the story of her life. 

Wanda Fay Clark was born on February 16, 1932. She grew up with two sisters, Iris and Patsy. Their young lives were filled with wild adventures that she loved to tell stories about. She met her husband, Read More

ROLAND ARTHUR JALBERT Oct. 19, 2014

Roland Arthur Jalbert, 90, a longtime resident of Los Alamos, passed away peacefully at home from a broken heart early Sunday morning following the death of his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth, who died October 9.

He is survived by their children and their spouses and grandchildren, Marc Jalbert, (Darby and Maddy) from Longmont Colorado; Louis and Dawn Jalbert (Elyse and Amanda) from Los Alamos; Marie-Louise Jalbert Hadden and Blaine Hadden from El Rito; and Christophe and Connie Jalbert (Connor) of Seattle, Washington.

Mr. Jalbert was born in Woonsocket, Read More

PEGGY CODY STEIN July 5, 1928 – Oct. 11, 2014          

Peggy Cody Stein passed away on October 11, 2014, in Los Alamos, New Mexico. She was 86. 

Peggy was born on July 5, 1928 to Orvel and Vera Cody in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Peggy had a large extended family, and she loved to tell stories about the flamboyant characters from her family history. 

In 1947, Peggy met and married William (Bill) Stein. The young couple moved to Los Alamos in 1949, and together they raised four children. Peggy drove generations of Los Alamos school children Read More

ELIZABETH ANNE JALBERT Oct. 9, 2014

Elizabeth Anne Jalbert, 83, a longtime resident of Los Alamos, passed away peacefully at home Thursday, October 9, after a lengthy illness.

She is survived  by her husband of 57 years, Roland A Jalbert. She is also survived by her children and their spouses and grandchildren: Marc Jalbert, Darby and Maddy  from Longmont, Colorado; Louis and Dawn Jalbert, Elyse and Amanda from Los Alamos; Marie-Louise Jalbert Hadden and Blaine Hadden from El Rito; and Christophe and Connie Jalbert and Connor of Seattle, Washington.

Mrs. Jalbert was born in 1931 Read More

William Earl Stein May 30, 1924 – Sept. 17, 2014

William Earl Stein (Bill) passed away on September 17, 2014 after a brief illness.

Bill was born on May 30, 1924 to David and Phoebe Stein in Rochester, New York. Bill was dedicated to serving his country. Bill’s father had served in the U.S. Navy during WWI, and Bill followed his example by enlisting in the Navy at the end of WWII. He served on the cruiser USS Cleveland, and then was sent to study electrical engineering at the University of Virginia by the Navy. 

While at the University of Virginia, Bill was a distinguished scholar and earned many Read More

HELENE M. EMERY Oct. 6, 2014

Helene M. Emery, 91, a long-time resident of Los Alamos, died at Sombrillo Nursing Home in Los Alamos on October 6, 2014 of natural causes.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Emery in 2001. She is survived by her daughters, Dr. Deborah Heath of Las Cruces, and DyAnne Short and her husband Tom of Los Alamos. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Olivia Heath, Camille Heath, Kermit Short and his wife Lucia, and great-grandson Alexander Short.

Mrs. Emery moved to Los Alamos from Carlsbad in 1951 and made it her home for the remainder of her life. She cherished Read More

GILBERT RICHARD NARANJO Oct. 2, 2014

Gilbert Richard Naranjo, 86, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend, passed into the arms of the Lord on October 2, 2014, with his loving family at his side. Gilbert was preceded in death by his devoted wife Helen, parents Ted and Ellen Naranjo and sister Flora Miakos.

Although Gilbert suffered many health conditions throughout the years he always accepted his difficulties courageously and without complaint. He was a strong man of faith and integrity who found joy, humor, and laughter in every day, touching the lives of all Read More

BERNARD “BUN” RYAN Dec. 23, 1923 – Sept. 29, 2014

Bernard “Bun” Ryan, 90, of Los Alamos, passed away on September 29, 2014. He had been a resident of Los Alamos since 1949.

Bun was born on December 23, 1923 in Leadville, CO, the youngest son of James and Bridget Ryan. Following graduation from Leadville High School in 1941, he worked for the JC Penney Corporation.

In 1943, he was drafted in the U.S. Army. He served in Field Artillery during the Pacific campaign of WWII until his discharge in 1946 and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service and promoted to the rank of Master Read More

Dr. JAMES S. BROOKS Sept. 27, 2014

Dr. James S. Brooks, 70, of Alligator Point, Fla., passed away on September 27, 2014 of natural causes.

He was Professor and Chairman of the Department of Physics at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Fla. In addition, he was one of the early experimental faculty members to join the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory where he carried out a prolific research program with colleagues both in the United States and around the world. At the laboratory he was Director of the Condensed Matter Science and Experimental Group.

Prior to moving to Florida he was Read More

TWILLA RUTH FEIERTAG Nov. 12, 1933 – Sept. 26, 2014

Twilla Ruth Feiertag was born on November 12, 1933, to Sylvia and Wilbur Gray in Chillicothe, Missouri, and returned to her Lord on Friday, September 26, 2014. 

She attended the Chillicothe elementary and high schools and graduated from Chillicothe Business College with a secretarial degree. After filling several positions, she ended her career with a 12 year stint as a Group Secretary in H Division. 

During this time, she met Tom Feiertag while assisting as a ballroom dance instructor, and they soon married. They were blessed Read More

DAVID KORKOS Sept. 28, 2014

David Korkos died on September 28, at home, of cancer. He was 67 years old.

David grew up in Oshkosh, Wisc. and Santa Clara, Calif. After graduation from high school, he entered the Marine Corps, where he went on to serve in Vietnam.

Returning home he devoted himself to music and cooking. He played pedal steel guitar in a successful dance band, but he found that playing gigs was taking time away from his other love, cooking, and left the band. He got a job at Scopazzi’s Restaurant in Boulder Creek, Calif., which is where he and his wife met.

He was the chef-owner of Katherine’s Read More

JANICE NOREEN MILLER Aug. 21, 1939 – Aug. 4, 2014

Janice Noreen Miller died Monday, Aug. 4, 2014, in Ft. Collins, Colo. Janice died while in hospice care for metastatic breast cancer at the home of her daughter, Mara Miller. Janice donated her body to the University of Colorado in Denver for medical research.

Janice was born at home in Norman, Oklahoma, to Roy Virgil and Eva Geraldine Miller on August 21, 1939. Janice was the sixth child of seven. She is survived by her two older sisters Donna Mears of Friona, Texas and Linda Tims of Sunray, Texas, along with sisters-in-law, Glenda Miller of Denton, Read More

JILL A. MAYO (KAVE) May 31, 1968–Sept. 22, 2014

Jill Mayo of Espanola, N.M. passed away on September 22, 2014 at the age of 46. She was born in Allentown, Pa. on May 31, 1968.

A longtime resident of Los Alamos, she worked as an accountant.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Gilda M Kave. She is survived by her father, Elmer C. Kave, her sister Gina Smith, her brothers Anthony Kave and Dominic Kave, her children, Alissa Dison and Kailee Mayo, and her beloved grandchildren, Shana and Ethan Wallington.

The family would like to thank Jimmy and Dorthy Romero of Nambe and David and Judy Roybal of El Rancho Read More

FRANCES (FRAN) NELSON ROGERS Jan. 10, 1922 – Sept. 23, 2014

Frances (Fran) Nelson Rogers, 92, a beloved Los Alamos Living Treasure (2007) passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, September 23, 2014.

She is preceded in death by her first husband Warren Haas; parents Anne and Iver Nelson; brothers, Adrian and Leland Nelson; and her husband of 51 years, Walter LaVerne “Vern” Rogers. Fran is survived by her sister Mary Lee (Bismarck, ND), children; Kelly (Durango, CO); Rick and wife Rebecca (Dylan & Dustin Arbuckle and family) (Los Alamos); Tracy and husband Ben Lea (Rose & Katherine Read More

GILBERT WAYNE BUTLER Feb. 22, 1941 – Aug. 9, 2014

Avid runner and Rotarian Gilbert Wayne Butler was born February 22, 1941 in Fort Collins, Colorado to John Lafayette Butler (Lafe) and Phyllis Elizabeth (Hunter) Butler.  He was raised in Boise, Idaho and graduated from Borah High School in 1959. 

In 1963 he received his B.S. in Chemistry from Oregon State University, Corvalis. Bypassing a master’s degree, he went directly into the doctoral program at the University of California, Berkley, receiving his Ph.D. in Nuclear Chemistry in 1967. Gil performed post-doctoral research at Read More

JACK B. TUCKER Aug. 21, 2014

Jack B. Tucker, 82, longtime resident of Los Alamos and Espanola passed away at home on August 21, 2014.

He was preceded in death by his parents Hugh and Emma Sue Tucker. He is survived by Gwen, his loving wife of 55 years; his children Tad Tucker, Tim and Audra Tucker, Tammy Tucker and Lisa Woodrow, and Tracy and Rick Conner. He is also survived by his grandchildren Chloe, Tristan, Milo, Josh, Justin, Jayde, and Jorda. He is also survived by sister and brothers’ in-law, nieces and nephews and extended family members.

Jack’s early years were spent in Kentucky. Toward the Read More

MARY ELLEN COUSINS Jan. 20, 1934 – Sept. 5, 2014

Mary Ellen Cousins, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away on Friday, September 5, 2014.

Mary Ellen Cousins was born on the 20^th of January, 1934 to Leo and Frieda Nordberg in St. Louis, MO.  She was the only daughter out of five children. She spent her early years growing up in St. Louis and moved to Sparta, IL before Jr. High. She and all of her brothers graduated from Sparta High. She then followed in the family tradition of attending Southern Illinois University.

She returned to St. Louis and there she met her future husband, Bob. They were married Read More