Peter Victor Zagone, 87
Former chief of operations branch, Guidance Division, 6585th Test Group
Peter Victor Zagone, 87, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007 in Alamogordo.
Vigil with a rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007, at St. Jude Mission.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, at St. Jude Mission with Father Wayne D. Herpin, S.J., and Father Timon Costello, O.F.M., celebrants.
A private Inurnment will follow.
Cremation has taken place locally at PCS under the direction of Alamogordo Funeral Home.
Raymond W Saenz
(July 22, 1942 - September 30, 2011)
Raymond “Ray” W. Saenz passed away on September 30, 2011 in the city of Weslaco, Texas. He was born in Nogal, NM on July 22, 1942 to Alvino Saenz, Sr. and Pilar Walters.
Survivors include his wife Martha of Alamogordo; his children, Genevieve Reyes and husband Eddie of Alamogordo, Donnalisa Sanchez and husband Sam of Tularosa, Corina Picazo and husband Fernando of Las Cruces, Della Saenz and boyfriend Eddie Peralez of Weslaco, TX, Jesse Saenz and wife Melissa of Baton Rouge, LA, Rachael Saenz and fiancé Chris Farrar of Alcalde, NM; grandchildren, Samantha, Gilbert, Victoria, Jacob, Sam, Jr., Isaac, Johnny Ray, Rebecca and Nicholas; great grandchildren, Marilena and Cody; and his siblings, Alvino Saenz, Jr., Anita Guerra and George Saenz.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Dora Esquivel and his brother, Camilo Saenz.
Raymond worked for US Forest Service, Lincoln National Forest, as an engineer for forty years. He loved to hunt and fish. He also enjoyed coaching and attending the many different athletic activities of his children and grandchildren. His two newest loves were his great granddaughter and great grandson.
Rosary will be recited at 5:30 PM, Sunday, October 9, 2011 at Alamogordo Funeral Home Chapel by Olivia Palafox. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:00 am, Monday, October 10, 2011 at St. Joseph’s Mission, 114 Mission Trail, Mescalero, NM with Father Paul Botenhagen, O.F.M., Celebrant.
Interment will follow at Bent Cemetery at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
Pallbearers are Eddie Reyes, Sam Sanchez, Fernando Picazo, Eddie Peralez, Chris Farrar and Mike Aguirre. Honorary pallbearers are Gilbert Reyes, Jacob Reyes, Sam Sanchez, Jr., Isaac Reyes, Johnny Ray Picazo and Nicholas Reyes.
A reception will follow at the Bent Fire Station.
The family will greet friends from 3-5pm on Sunday, October 9, 2011 at the funeral home before the Rosary.
The Saenz family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.
Guadalupe Melendrez Noriega, 89
Guadalupe Melendrez Noriega, 89, of Las Cruces and formerly of Alamogordo, left her dwelling place on earth and entered eternal life to be with her heavenly Father, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007 at Las Cruces Nursing Center surrounded by her loving family. She was born Feb. 9, 1917, in Three Rivers to Sisto and Juanita Melendrez. Noriega was a homemaker and member of the Catholic church.
Survivors include two sons, Santos Noriega and wife Linda, of Alamogordo, Ben Noriega, of San Diego; six daughters, Victoria Peña and husband Guillermo, Estella Noriega, all of Las Cruces, Mary Peña, of Oxnard, Calif., Margaret Noriega, of San Diego, Socorro Lamb and husband Eugene, of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Isabel Yañez and husband Jessie, of Houston. Other survivors include 24 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Francisco Noriega; two sons, Raymond and George Noriega; two brothers, Jesus and Manuel Melendrez; and three grandchildren.
Visitation for Noriega will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, in St. Genevieve's Catholic Church, 100 S. Espina, where the prayer vigil is scheduled for 10 a.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated the same morning at 10:30 a.m. in the same church. The rite of committal and interment will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery, where she will lay to rest next to her husband.
Serving as casket bearers will be Joshua Lamb, Albert Sr., Esteban and Albert Rodriguez Jr., Robert Peña, Joe Melendrez, Pete Estrada and Val Lucero. Honorary casket bearer is Carlos Melendrez.
Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels, 300 E. Boutz Road, Las Cruces. 527-2222.
Edward Wayne 'Eddy' Golightly, 76
Beloved husband and father
Edward Wayne "Eddy" Golightly, 76, of Alamogordo, a patient, loving husband and father, passed away on Jan. 8, 2007, after complications from a recent unexpected illness. He was born on May 18, 1930, in Madionsville, Ky., to Alfus L. and Vada L. Golightly.
After serving as a sergeant in the Army during the Korean War, he settled in Alamogordo in the mid-1950s. He worked at Sacramento Peak and White Sands Missile Range, earning many promotions, ultimately as Civil Service Supervisor before retiring in 1985. He was an avid gardener, mechanic, inventor, and supporter of Alamogordo High School athletics.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Petra Golightly; sons Robert Golightly, of Alamogordo, and Russell Golightly, his wife Rebecca, and their children Justin and Lauren, of Albuquerque. He is also survived by a sister, Dorothy Jean Hess, of Lakeland, Fla.; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, A.L. Golightly; and his sister, Mary Evelyn Lafoon.
Visitation will take place at Alamogordo Funeral Home, 2301 First St., from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 11, 2007.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at St. Jude Mission followed by internment at Monte Vista Cemetery where he will be laid to rest. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Alamogordo Funeral Home.
J. W. Drake, 76
J. W. Drake, 76, of Peoria, Ariz., entered into eternal rest on Dec. 4, 2006 after a sudden illness. J.W. was born in Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 19, 1930. He was a graduate of McMurray College in Abeline, Texas and later obtained his Masters Degree in Education from North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. J.W. moved his family to Alamogordo in 1967 where he taught elementary physical education for the Alamogordo Public Schools until his retirement in 1991. In 1995, J.W. and his wife moved to Peoria, Ariz. J.W. was preceded in death by his wife, Lou and son, J.B.
He is survived by his children, Suzan Farley (Doug) of Geneva, Ill., Teresa Drake and Karon Perea of Peoria, Ariz., Brian Drake (Simona) of Houston, daughter-in-law Sharon Drake of Peoria, Ariz., 11 grandchildren and one great-grandson.
Services were held Dec. 7, 2006, at Sunland Memorial Park and Mortuary in Sun City, Ariz.
Philip J. Manz, 89
Retired from NMSU
Philip J. Manz, 89, of Alamogordo, left us on Dec. 10, 2006, and is with his Maker.
Mr. Manz was born Sept. 30, 1917, in Rochester, N.Y., to Karl and Mildred (Heseltine) Manz. He married Edna Brackett and they lived in Las Cruces for many years.
In 1960 Phil went to work at New Mexico State University. He was the shop superintendent at the Physical Science Laboratory, where he worked for 31 years. Phil was a genuine cowboy. He and Edna had a ranch east of Las Cruces and they would ride out on their horses to get the mail on Highway 70. It is now surrounded by subdivisions. He also loved to hunt, and several years ago he shot an oryx. He was a special deputy sheriff for Doña Ana County, and rode in many of the "old west shootouts." He will be missed by all the many people who knew and loved him.
Survivors include his son, John Manz and his wife Carla, of High Rolls; his sister, June Fleig, of Roswell; his fiancee, Delores Manatt, of Cloudcroft; several nieces and nephews; and his cousins, Gary and Judy Borst, of Roswell, and Di and Norm Berg, of New York City.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Edna; and a brother, Karl "Jim" Manz.
A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m. in the Hamilton-O'Dell Chapel.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home.
Brenda Hungate
August 3, 1950 - August 6, 2009
Brenda Hungate, 59, of Alamogordo, passed away at her home Thursday, August 6, 2009. Brenda was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, on August 3, 1950, to Ralph and Margaret (Scott) Rhinebolt.
She married Jim Hungate in Sacramento, California on August 21, 1981. Brenda was a loving wife and mother who enjoyed taking care of her home and spending time with family and her animals.
She is survived by Jim and sons Joseph O’Brien and his wife Eldonna of Wyoming, Seane O’Brien and his wife Michiko of Yokosuka, Japan; Daughters Valerie Wolf and her husband Mark of Lake Jackson, Texas, Sharon Cooks and her husband Juan of Washington State, Katherine Williams and her husband Lee of Alamogordo, Scarlet Redrick and her husband Joe of Lake Jackson, Texas, Joy Miller and her husband Josh of Florence, South Carolina, Victoria Hungate of Alamogordo; Twenty grandchildren; Sisters Kathy Blissard of Austin, Texas, Janet Myers and her husband Frank of Davidson, North Carolina; Brother David Isham of California.
Graveside services will be conducted at Monte Vista Cemetery on Wednesday, August 12, 2009, at 10 a.m. with family and friends speaking and sharing of memories.
Gene Wilson
April 12, 1947 - August 6, 2009
Gene Wilson, 62, of Alamogordo, died Thursday, August 6, 2009, at his home.
Mr. Wilson was born April 12, 1947 in Russell, Kansas to Aubry and Myrtle (Vent) Wilson.
Survivors include three brothers, Bill Wilson of Sun Lakes, Arizona, Charles Wilson of Hayes, Kansas, and John Kenny of Eldorado, Kansas.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Hamilton-O’Dell Funeral Home, and no services are scheduled.
Minnie Armijo, 89
Beloved mother and grandmother
Minnie Armijo, 89, passed away at her home in Alamogordo on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007. Armijo was born on May 29, 1917, in Tularosa to Diego and Eva (Wohlgemuth) Abeyta. She married Jesus (Chuchie) Armijo on May 3, 1936, in Alamogordo, where they built their home. She passionately loved her family, her neighbors, her country and her religious faith.
Survivors include two daughters, Dorothy Jack Durocher and her husband Jim, of Alamogordo, and Doris Joe Carender and her husband James, of Bremerton, Wash.; five grandsons, Leo, Jason, Michael, Maurice and Gregory Durocher; six granddaughters, Kimberly Roderick, Germaine Milligan, Daniell Stupar, and Jamison, Keli and Cydni Carender; 41 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband Chuchie; her brothers Raymond, Dee and Eddie Abeyta; and her sisters Mary Granados and Pauline O'Loane.
Rosary will be recited at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, at St. Jude Mission, followed by a memorial Mass at 11 a.m.
Inurnment will follow at the St. Jude columbarium.
Ruth L. Taylor, 87
Ruth L. Taylor, 87, of Bent and formerly of Odessa, Texas, died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007, at her residence in Bent. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007, at Sunset Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Rev. Clydel Chapman of Northside Baptist Church officiating. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home.
Taylor was born April 24, 1919, in Elkins to Henry Alonzo and Ossie Lee Stephens White. She was raised just south of Roswell, where her family farmed. She was educated in Dexter. As a young girl she met James W. Taylor and they were married Feb. 1, 1938, in Roswell. They moved to Odessa in 1939 and lived there until 1999. She worked at Winkler's in Odessa and Jab's in Midland, Texas. She retired in the mid-1980s. She was a member of Temple Baptist Church of Odessa and a member of the Eastern Star. The Taylors moved to Bent in April 1999. She was preceded in death by her parents; and two sons, Wayne Taylor, 1979, and Perry Taylor, 1987.
Survivors include her husband, James, of Bent; her sons, Robert Taylor and wife Raynette, of Arlington, Texas; Jack Taylor and wife Pam, of Bent; nine grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and lots of extended family and good loving friends.
M. Earlene Bourns
M. Earlene Bourns was born Sept. 29, 1928, and passed away Friday, Jan. 12. Earlene received a BA in education at Wichita University. In 1950, she moved to Tularosa to teach. In 1953, she met and married Mac Chew. They were together for 10 years. In 1963, Earlene moved to Cañon City, Colo., where she continued to teach before joining the Department of Social Services in 1968. She transferred to Greeley, Colo., and became supervisor of Adult and Child Care services of Weld County. She retired in 1989.
She is preceded in death by her father and mother, Earl and Estes McBride; a brother, Jack McBride; and a grandson, David Witte.
She is survived by her daughter, Karen, and her husband Dave Witte, with children Natalie and Karla, of Lyndon, Wash.; and by her son, Ed Chew, and wife Kathie, with children Joshua and Annie of La Luz.
Earlene loved to quilt, play piano, read, and watch the Broncos football games. She also loved to travel and has now embarked on the adventure of her life.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial/celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.
Donations may be made to a charity of your choice in her name.
Brother Augustine Hootka, O.F.M., 92
Former longtime Tularosa resident
Brother Augustine Hootka, O.F.M., 92, affectionately known as "Brother Gus," died Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, at his home in Santa Barbara, Calif.
A vigil service will be conducted Sunday at 6 p.m. at St. Francis de Paula with the rosary to be recited by Father John Peterson, O.F.M.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Francis de Paula with the Very Reverend Melvin Jurisich, O.F.M., Provincial of Santa Barbara Mission, as celebrant. Concelebrating the Mass will be Father John Peterson, O.F.M., and Father Peter Verheggen, O.F.M.
Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Tularosa.
Pallbearers will be Franciscan friars.
Contributions for a memorial for Brother Gus may be made at St. Francis de Paula, or mailed to the church at 303 Encino, Tularosa, NM 88352.
Services are under the direction of Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home.
Billie A. Pender, 81
Billie A. Pender, 81, a longtime resident of Alamogordo, died Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007, in Alamogordo.
Services are pending with Hamilton-O'Dell Funeral Home.
Virginia G. Gonzales, 74
Virginia G. Gonzales, 74, of Las Cruces and formerly of Tularosa, left her dwelling place on earth and entered eternal life Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born Oct. 21, 1932, in Tularosa to Ricardo B. and Julia Monje Guerra. Gonzales was a homemaker, a member of the Catholic church and of the Sacred Heart League.
Survivors include two sons, Ralph Gonzales, of San Patricio, and Gilbert Gonzales, of Ruidoso Downs; two daughters, Margaret Torres and husband Edward "Lalo," and Yvette Enriquez and husband Eric, all of Las Cruces; one brother, Buddy Guerra and wife Helen; two sisters, Rufina Mendez and husband Albert, and Julie Montoya, all of Tularosa. Other survivors include 13 grandchildren, Peggy, Rebekah and Genevieve Torres, Jeremy, Linda, Patrick, Robert, Mikaila and Nathan Gonzales, Christina Portillo, Audrey, Zachary and Ivan Enriquez; eight great-grandchildren, Brooke Trujillo, Alicia, Briana and Gabrielle Portillo, Alex, Tommy, Kyra and Joseph Lucero; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Gonzales; one infant son, Joseph Gonzales; one infant daughter, Charlotte Gonzales; two brothers, Rudolfo and Reynaldo Guerra; and one sister, Maxine Harvey.
Visitation for Gonzales will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007, in Our Lady of Purification Catholic Church, 5525 Cristo Rey in Doña Ana, where the prayer vigil is scheduled for 7 p.m. Family and friends will join together to celebrate the funeral liturgy at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17, in St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church, 303 Encino Street in Tularosa. The rite of committal and interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest.
Serving as pallbearers will be Frankie Martinez, Robert, Patrick and Nathan Gonzales, and Zachary and Ivan Enriquez. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeremy Gonzales, Stephanie Guerra and all nieces and nephews.
Service arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels, 300 E. Boutz Road, Las Cruces.
DORRIS BOND
Dorris Bond, 92, of Clovis, a retired dietitian, died Thursday, Aug. 31, 2000, at Plains Regional Medical Center.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Steed-Todd Chapel. Her grandson, Allan W. Bond, will officiate.
Burial will be at Mission Garden of Memories.
Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home.
James English
James L. English, 63, died Aug. 15 at a Texas hospital.
Services were held at 10 a.m. Aug. 18 at North's Memorial Chapel with Bob G. Carter officiating.
Graveside services were at 3:30 p.m. that day at Fairview City Cemetery in Gainesville, Texas.
Visitation was from 6-7:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at the funeral home.
A.E. GUNNELS
A.E. "AB" Gunnels, 91, of Clovis, died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2001, at Plains Regional Medical Center.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday at Lawn Haven Memorial Gardens.
The Rev. Herbert Bergstrom will officiate.
The family will be at 1401 Reid St.
Arrangements are by Steed-Todd Funeral Home.
ALMA LAWLESS
Alma Murph Lawless, 92, of Clovis, a legal secretary, died Sunday, Jan. 28, 2001, at Plains Regional Medical Center.
Services will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at The Chapel.
The Rev. Steve McElroy will officiate.
Burial will be at Forrest Park Cemetery in Shreveport, La.
Arrangements are by Muffley Funeral Home.
JIM KERBY
Jim Kerby, 74, of Portales, died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2001, at Plains Regional Medical Center.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Floyd Cemetery.
The Rev. Jim Kendrick will officiate.
Arrangements are by Wheeler Mortuary of Portales.
