Stephen E. 'Steve' Smith, 56
Assistant teacher for Alamogordo Public Schools
Stephen E. Smith, of Alamogordo, went home to be with the Lord on June 17, 2006.
Mr. Smith was born Sept. 9, 1949, in Alamogordo, to Vera Delores Smith and William Middleton. He was a member of Owen Chapel A.M.E. Church and worked for a number of years for the Alamogordo Public Schools.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Verna Delores Brown; father William Middleton; Aunt Bea, of Los Angeles; and grandmother Beatrice Lyles, of Alamogordo.
He leaves his wife, Carolyn Smith, of the family home; one son, Terry J. Smith, of San Diego; one sister, Lavette Williams and her husband Raymond; one brother, Leonard Brown, all of Las Vegas, Nev.; two uncles, Albert Lyles, of Alamogordo, and Jimmy Lyles, of Los Angeles; a special cousin, Sandra Smith; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He will truly be missed by everyone who knew and loved him, especially the children in the classroom, where he worked until his health failed.
A memorial service will be held Friday, June 23, 2006, at 1 p.m. at Owen Chapel A.M.E. Church, with Rev. Warren L. Robinson officiating.
Cremation has taken place locally at PCS Crematory under the direction of the Alamogordo Funeral Home.
Donna Flores, 58
Loving mother, grandmother
Donna Flores, 58, of La Luz, passed away Friday, June 16, 2006, in Las Cruces.
Donna was born Jan. 4, 1948, in Philadelphia, and had lived in La Luz for 23 years. Up until a car accident in 1994, she was active in the community and excelled in her college classes. Despite failing health, her strong spirit and cheerful outlook prevailed. She possessed many talents and in recent years, discovered her love for painting. A source of great joy was her three grandchildren with whom she loved to spend time.
Survivors include her husband Tomas, of the family home; her daughter, Florence Brewer and her husband Eric, and their three children, Cameron, Timber and Trinity, all of Alamogordo; her sister, with whom she remained in close contact, Cheryl Lujan, of Alamogordo, and her sons, Jose Jr. and Chris Lujan, of La Luz; and two brothers, Bruce and Thomas Guilliams, of Philadelphia.
A wake service will be conducted this evening at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Light Catholic Church in La Luz with the rosary to be recited by Deacon Don Dickman.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the church on Wednesday at 10 a.m. with Father Bruce Hausfeld, O.F.M., as celebrant.
Interment will follow in Our Lady of the Light Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Eric Brewer, Cameron Brewer, Frank Flores, Tony Flores, Jose Lujan, Jr. and Chris Lujan.
Friends may call this evening at the church beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Services are under the direction of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home.
John Dewyn Clowson, 75
Technical Sergeant, USAF, Ret.
With his wife and daughter, Diana, at his bedside, John Dewyn Clowson, 75, joined our Lord in heaven on June 19, 2006.
Mr. Clowson was born Jan. 1, 1931, in Allegheny Township, Blair County, Pa., the eldest son of John and Blanche (Bougher) Clowson. He married Dorothy Lee Glidden Graham on June 24, 1966. He retired from the Air Force in 1971, and was a bus operator for the Regional Transportation District in Denver until his retirement in 1993. He and his wife then began living their dream on the road full-time in their RV, until settling in Alamogordo in April 2002.
Surviving are his wife, Dorothy, of the family home; two sons, Ronald and David; a daughter, Deborah Davis, of Elizabeth, Colo.; Diana Clowson of Arvada, Colo.; two stepdaughters, Donielle Kramer, of Merced, Calif., and Deborah Richerson, of Great Falls, Mont.; eight grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
Also surviving are two sisters, Eleanor Airey, of Frederica, Del., and Barbara Settlemyer, of Altoona, Pa.; and two brothers, Gerald Clowson, of Newark, Del., and Ralph Clowson, of Myrtle Creek, Ore.
Direct cremation provided locally under the direction of PCS Direct Cremation Services.
An informal remembrance gathering will be held at 3 p.m. in the Amber Skies club house on Saturday, June 24, 2006.
Elizabeth 'Beth' Hunter, 45
Elizabeth "Beth" Hunter died Oct. 16 in Lubbock, Texas. She was born Dec. 21, 1960, in Hobbs and was living with her husband Thomas Wayne Hunter in Lovington at the time of her death.
Elizabeth was preceded in death by her father, Harvey C. Stanbrough; brother James Stanbrough; and daughter Faith Freeman. She is survived by her husband; her mother, Shirley Stanbrough; two brothers, Harvey Stanbrough, of Pittsboro, Ind., and Larry Stanbrough, of Carlsbad; and two sisters, Kathy Derrick and Susan McKay, both of Lovington.
Beth loved her family, mother and friends. She spent most of her time making sure everyone was happy and taken care of. She was the one to encourage, and the uplifter of the family and her friends. She was an avid fan of Roseanne.
Visitation is Thursday, Oct. 19, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Kirby Smith Rogers Chapel, Fourth and Washington in Lovington.
Service is held at the Tatum Cemetery at 2 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20.
Luis Fierro, 56
Luis Fierro, 56, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006 in Alamogordo. He was born on May 3, 1950 in Artesia to Alberto and Belsora (Herrera) Fierro. Luis was a graduate of New Mexico State University whereby he received a Bachelor's in Special Education - Elementary. Luis worked as a North Elementary Pre-School Teacher in the Alamogordo Public School System and had recently retired in October 2006, after teaching 25 years.
Survivors include many nieces and nephews: Cris Silva and husband Pete, their children Elisia and Cristal; Andrea Reyes and husband Lupe, their child Ben P. Borunda; Laura Guerrero and husband Adrian, their child Marissa; Jimmy Fierro and wife Kay, their children Cecilia and Santiago; Chris Fierro and wife Nina, their children Angelina and Crisanto; Arturo Fierro and wife Regina, their children Adriana and John; brother-in-law, Tony Silva, great nieces and nephews, Joaquin Silva and wife Lea, their children Emily and Alec, Javier Silva and wife Sandra, and child Javier Sanchez, Jr.; Seren Hadley and husband Michael, their child Devynne; Luis? good friend, Theresa Reyes.
He was preceded in death by his parents (above), sister, Socorro Silva; brother, Alberto Fierro, Jr.
A Rosary will be recited by Tony Silva at 9:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. immediately following the rosary with Father Bryant Hausfeld, O.F.M., celebrant.
Pallbearers will be: Pete Silva, Joaquin Silva, Javier Silva, Ben Borunda, Mark Mier, and Lupe Reyes.
Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery.
Mike Gray, 42
Beloved Son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend
Mike Gray, 42, of Tularosa, died Saturday, Dec. 2, 2006, at his home.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home.
A memorial service will be conducted today at 1 p.m. in the Hamilton-O'Dell Chapel with the Rev. Tim Watkins officiating.
Doris Irene Rankin
October 24, 1930 - August 13, 2009
Doris I. Rankin, 78, of Alamogordo, peacefully passed away at her home on Thursday, August 13, 2009.
Doris was born October 12, 1930 in Framingham, Massachusetts to Donald and Rebecca (Gotham) Collins. She was married to Norman A. Rankin for 59 years before his death in 2007. She was also preceded in death by a son Norman Rankin, Jr.
Survivors include a son Colin Rankin of Alamogordo; a daughter Shelley Jones and her husband Gary of Alamogordo; two grandsons, Brian Jones of Phoenix, Arizona, and Mark Jones of Alamogordo; two sisters, Virginia Taylor of Massachusetts, and Barbara Pierce of Florida; and a brother Gilbert of Massachusetts.
Graveside services will be conducted Saturday, August 22, at 10:00 a.m. at Monte Vista Cemetery with the Rev. Chuck Moon officiating.
Pallbearers will be Colin Rankin, Gary Jones, Brian Jones, Mark Jones, Kevin McCaslin and Mack McElheny.
Friends may call Friday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Hamilton-O’Dell Funeral Home.
Doris was a wonderful mother and grandmother who will be in all our hearts forever.
Samuel Leroy Pilgreen
November 7, 1940 - August 16, 2009
Samuel Leroy Pilgreen, 68, a longtime resident of Alamogordo, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 16, 2009, from the peaceful atmosphere of his home.
Sam was born November 7, 1940 in Alamogordo to Hubert and Virginia (Fenimore) Pilgreen. He loved any lake where he could cast his creation, “ugly bug” and always catch his limit of trout. He was on intimate terms with the Sacramento Mountains, particularly Alamo Canyon, West Side Road, the Grapevine and Holder Ridge.
Sam married Karen Holder in Alamogordo on June 23, 1961, and they had four children. He was a talented artist, best known for watercolors of old buildings and oils of gigantic New Mexico skies.
A 1959 graduate of Alamogordo High School and a 1964 graduate of Eastern New Mexico University, Sam taught English and Art at Alamogordo High School, Chaparral Junior High School and Ruidoso High School. He also owned Buck’s Guns in Alamogordo and Ruidoso, where he could promote his love of guns, hunting and fishing.
Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Karen Pilgreen, of the family home; three sons, Todd Pilgreen and his wife Fran of Shanghai, China, Dan Pilgreen and his companion Lainie Segal-Knapp of Briarcliff, New York, and Scott Pilgreen and his wife Cara of Albuquerque; a daughter Wendi Girven and her husband Ben of Albuquerque; 9 grandchildren, Sara Pilgreen of Santa Barbara, California, Lauren Pilgreen of Shanghai, China, Cale, Connor and Caeden Pilgreen of Albuquerque, Dade, Leia and Samuel Cooper Girven of Albuquerque, and Dana Knapp[ of Briarcliff, New York; and two sisters, Merry Dell Wade and her husband Carl, and Ginnie Jackson, all of Alamogordo.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother James Pilgreen.
A memorial service will be conducted Thursday, August 20, at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church with the Reverend Robert Rachuig of Elephant Butte officiating.
Honorary pallbearers will include Todd Pilgreen, Dan Pilgreen, Scott Pilgreen, Wendi Girven, Larry Holder, Carl Wade, D.J. Harshey, Charles McMath, Tom Overstreet, Jim Ahrens, Glenn Riggins, Garland Peek, Bruce Bambrook and Clark “Sparky” Henderson.
Private interment will be in Monte Vista Cemetery.
Lurean Smith
March 8, 1924 - August 17, 2009
Mabel Lurean Smith, 85, of Alamogordo, New Mexico died Monday, August 17, 2009, at Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center in Alamogordo, New Mexico.
Mrs. Smith was born March 8, 1924 in Ayr, Nebraska to Leonard N. and Mabel B. (Echternach) Coutts. She married Virgil C. Smith on September 22, 1943 in Hastings, Nebraska. They moved to Alamogordo in 1976 from Clovis, New Mexico. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and the V.F.W. Auxiliary 7686 in Alamogordo.
Survivors include her son Jerry L. Smith of Mayhill, New Mexico; her daughter Sheryl L. Wyatt and her husband, Jerold, of Artesia, New Mexico; her grandson Brian D. Smith and his wife Jackie of Beaumont, Texas; her granddaughter Jennifer L. Artrip and her husband Robert of McKinney, Texas; her grandson K. Chad Wyatt of Las Cruces, New Mexico; her grandson Curtis R. Wyatt of Mesa, Arizona; and two great-grandchildren, Matthew T. and Macy J. Artrip of McKinney, Texas and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, in 1998, 2 sisters, Beulah Wells and Ruby Coutts, and 3 brothers, Darrell, Virgil, and Eugene Coutts.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, August 21, at 10:00 a.m. in the Hamilton-O’Dell Chapel with the Rev. Robert Bailey officiating.
Interment will follow in Monte Vista Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jerry Smith, Chad Wyatt, Curtis Wyatt, Jerold Wyatt, Jerame Lopez, and Nick Rexroth.
Friends may call Thursday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton-O’Dell Funeral Home.
Should friends desire, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Joan Patrick
November 11, 1912 - August 21, 2009
Joan Patrick, 96, of Gilroy, California, passed away Friday, August 21, 2009, in San Jose, California.
Services are pending with Hamilton-O’Dell Funeral Home.
Roberta Larsen
April 22, 1913 - August 22, 2009
Roberta “Bobbie” Larsen, 96, a longtime resident of Alamogordo, died Saturday, August 22, 2009, at her home.
Services are pending with Hamilton-O’Dell Funeral Home.
James J. "Jim" Phelps I am a Veteran.
March 23, 1944 - August 2, 2009
James J. “Jim” Phelps, 65, of Tularosa, died Sunday, August 2, 2009, at the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque.
Mr. Phelps was born March 23, 1944 in Hastings, Nebraska to Sheldon Joseph and Margaret Mary (Meisenbach) Phelps. After graduating from St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, California, he attended San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton, and New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, where he received a Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1965 until 1968 and was a contractor, retiring from home building in 2000. He enjoyed woodworking, crafting and gardening.
Survivors include his wife of 41 years Rosemary of the family home; a son Joseph Edward Phelps of Santa Teresa; numerous cousins; and close family friends, John and Sandy Gibson of Alamogordo, and Dave and Barbara Di Francesco of Tularosa.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his father and mother-in-law Ed and Magdalena Holguin; and many aunts and uncles.
A vigil service will be conducted Thursday, August 6, at 7:00 p.m. in the Hamilton-O’Dell Chapel with the Rosary to be recited by Deacon Mariano Melendrez.
Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated Friday, August 7, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church in Tularosa with Father John Peterson, O.F.M. as celebrant.
Pallbearers will be Mike Drunzer, Burt Beach, Clif McDonald, John Gibson, Dave Di Francesco and Richard McWhirter.
Committal services will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery with Deacon Ralph Solis officiating. Military honors will be provided by the Holloman Air Force Base Steel Talons Honor Guard.
Friends may call Thursday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton-O’Dell Funeral Home.
Eugene M. "Gene" Dale I am a Veteran.
October 29, 1923 - August 5, 2009
Eugene M. “Gene” Dale, 85, of Tularosa, died Wednesday, August 5, 2009, at his home.
Mr. Dale was born October 29, 1923 in Rogers, Arkansas to Eugene Meloan and Anna (Browning) Dale, both of whom preceded him in death. He moved to Alamogordo in 1935 where he attended school and graduated from Alamogordo High School. He attended Western New Mexico University before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Following World War II he attended New Mexico State University and graduated with a bachelor of science in chemical engineering. Following graduation he worked for Potash Company of America for ten years, in Sasketoon, Saskatchewan, Dumas, Texas and Carlsbad, New Mexico. He then worked for Dow Chemical in Midland and Ludington, Michigan, before retiring in 1974. He returned to school to become a certified nutritionist, a career from which he never retired. He returned to Otero County in 2006.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years Allene “Suzy” Dale of the family home; four daughters, Linda Carol Williams and her husband Dave of Lansing, Michigan, Juliana Witte of Orlando, Florida, Jo Lynn Hanley and her husband Max of Las Cruces, and Jill Dale and her husband Dale Dellar of Donald, Oregon; four sons, Eugene Meloan Dale III and his wife Nancy of Sugarland, Texas, David Michael Dale and his wife Seferina of Cornelius, Oregon, James Allen Dale and his wife Maria Louisa of Depoe Bay, Oregon, and Jonathan Hugh Dale and his wife Michelle of Winsboro, Texas; 27 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and two sisters, Frances Evans of Alamogordo, and Bobbie Nickless and her husband James of North Miami, Florida.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, August 9, at 2:00 p.m. at the Tularosa Church of Christ with Matt Carrell officiating.
Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Tularosa.
Ruby Walker
June 3, 1938 - August 6, 2009
Ruby Walker, 71, a lifelong resident of Tularosa, died Thursday, August 6, 2009, at Las Palmas Medical Center in El Paso.
Mrs. Walker was born June 3, 1938 in Tularosa to Ottis Leon and Mary Virginia (Watson) Nowell.
Survivors include her husband of 53 years Ronald Walker of the family home; six sons, Ronald D. Walker and his wife Anna of Tularosa, Rory Walker of Tularosa, Edison Walker and his wife Rose of Mescalero, Kevin Walker and his wife Gena of Tularosa, Joel Walker of Tularosa, and Jerrod Walker and his wife Edith of Tularosa; a daughter Zelda Staggs and her husband Ray of Tularosa; 20 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; a brother Virgil Nowell of Mesa, Arizona; three sisters, Jane Moore of Kansas, Joyce Yearly and her husband Bob of Las Cruces, and Evelyn Webb of Tularosa; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister Leona Helms.
A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. at the Tularosa Church of the Nazarene with the Rev. Kenneth Nowell officiating.
Inurnment will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Tularosa.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Hamilton-O’Dell Funeral Home.
Albert Luckow, 82
Albert H. Luckow, 82, passed away at the New Mexico State Veterans Home in Truth or Consequences on Dec. 29, 2006. Luckow was born in Estacada, Ore., on March 17, 1924, to Henry and Martha (Weber) Luckow.
He served in the Army during World War II and was a retired oil field chemical engineer and served as a Jehovah's Witness minister.
He leaves behind his wife, Judy A. Luckow , of the family home in La Luz; his son, Allen and wife Wendy Luckow, of Big Piney, Wyo.; a daughter, Verna and husband Ken Kadrmas, of Washburn, N.D.; his step-sons, James Leroy Ratkley, of Longview, Texas; Ted Miller, of Cottage Grove, Ore.; Hubert Miller, of Des Moines; a step-daughter, Shelley Miller, of Des Moines; 12 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Verna Jacobson, of Lacey, Wash.; his two nieces, Karen and husband Warren Zink, of Ocean Shores, Wash.; Debra and husband Robert Peterson, of Ferndale, Wash.; and by a nephew, James and wife Pat Jacobson, of Vancouver, Wash.
Cremation has taken place and a celebration of his life memorial service was held on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Kingdom Hall, 1515 Fairview, in Tularosa with Johnny Vaughn officiating.
Arrangements are by Kirikos Family Funeral Home Inc. and Sierra Crematory LLC, 303 N. Cedar St., Truth or Consequences.
