Obituaries

JAMES WILLIAM STRAIGHT Aug. 5, 1940 – Jan. 27, 2024

James “Jim” Straight was born to Russell James and Marian (Ringer) Straight on August 5, 1940, in Wichita, Kansas. His family relocated frequently during his father’s service in the U.S. Army during WW2, eventually settling in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

He graduated from Bartlesville’s College High School in 1958, received his BS Mechanical Engineering from University of Kansas in January 1963 and his master’s degree in August that same year. He was then commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. As the top engineering student in Read More

DAVID J. WADE Aug. 31, 1943 – Jan. 29, 2024

David John Wade, 80, died at his home in La Cueva, NM on Monday, January 29, 2024.

Mr. Wade was born August 31, 1943 to David Matthew Wade and Rhea (Coleman) Wade in Saginaw, Michigan. His father was in the US Air Force, and so the family had lived in Roswell, NM and several other states before settling near Sacramento, California, where Mr. Wade graduated from Folsom High School, and attended American River Junior College.

Mr. Wade was an early adopter of computer technology. His work at the State Comptroller’s Office in Sacramento was programming with punch Read More

JACK E THALMA June 7, 1926-Jan. 19, 2024 & LAURA MAE THALMAN July 9, 1932-Jan. 21, 2024

Jack E Thalman, 97, of Las Cruces, NM passed peacefully in his home on January 19, 2024. His loving wife Laura Mae followed, passing away on January 21, 2024.

Jack was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 7, 1926. Jack loved the Boy Scouts and was proud to have been an Eagle Scout. Jack graduated from Tulsa Central High School then enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War 2 where he trained to be a tail gunner. After the war, he moved to New Mexico and worked for Mountain State Telephone and Telegraph. He enjoyed Read More

DAVID RUSSELL CHURCH May 17, 1950 – Jan. 26, 2024

“I loved practicing medicine.” For Dr. Church, being a “simple country doctor” was a true calling. He was devastated when he had to stop serving the Los Alamos community, and he missed his patients  immensely.

A bright, talented student, David was born in Los Alamos in 1950 and raised in a rich stew of science. His father James S. Church was a research chemist who was tapped by the Government to work on the Manhattan Project. Esther W. Church, David’s mother, was a biologist who taught in the schools for decades.

Dr. Church attended the University of Read More

MARTIN DONALD TORREY June 26, 1923 – Jan. 8, 2024

Martin Donald Torrey passed away peacefully on January 8, 2024, in San Diego, CA. He was 100 years old.

Born on June 26, 1923, in Porterville, CA, to Hazel Vera (Houck) and Tevis Max Torrey, Martin was the second oldest of four children. The Torrey family moved often in the 1920’s and 30’s up and down California’s Central Valley. He graduated from Central Point High School in Central Point, OR, in 1941, where he was an all-star baseball player. Athletic, smart and personable, Martin easily made friends.

Martin was always a top student and, prior to moving Read More

JEROME E. DUMMER Nov. 21, 1930 – Jan. 14, 2024

Jerome E. Dummer died on Sunday January 14, 2024, at 93 years old. He died peacefully with his daughters by his side after a short illness.

He was born November 21, 1930, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He married Jean, the love of his life, on June 1, 1952, after attending Colorado College together. He obtained his degree in Physics from CC and his master’s degree from Vanderbilt University.

After graduate school and two years in Maryland in the US Army, they settled permanently in Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1953. He worked for over 30 years at Los Alamos National Read More

STUART CHARLES STEIN April 26, 1956 – Jan. 17, 2024

Stuart Charles Stein passed away on January 17, 2024, with family by his side. Stuart was born April 26, 1956, in Sedalia Missouri to John L. and Betty Lou Stein.

 The youngest of 4 children, his family moved from Missouri back to Los Alamos in 1957, where he grew up and attended Los Alamos Public Schools until he graduated in 1974. While in high school, he developed a love for music and playing the drums. He was in the marching band and played in bands throughout his 20’s & 30’s in Los Alamos and Santa Fe.

After high school, Stuart joined the United States Read More

JOHN LESLIE LYMAN June 16, 1944 – Jan 14, 2024

John Leslie Lyman died peacefully in the company of his wife and family on January 14th, 2024, due to complications of multiple sclerosis.

John was born on June 16th, 1944, to Frank Anderson Lyman and Virginia Porter in Delta, Utah. He developed strong values of hard work, diligence, and honesty throughout a childhood spent working on his father’s farm with his younger siblings, Susan, Karrol, Carl, Ray, and LuAnn. John loved his Delta community and family, and greatly valued the positive impact they had on his life and character.

During his high school Read More

JANE ANN OWENS Aug. 31, 1941 – Jan. 14, 2024

Jane Ann Owens, 82, passed away on January 14, 2024, peacefully with her husband Charles by her side.

Jane was born in Pittsburgh, PA on August 31, 1941, to Thomas and Janet Mikula. She married her high school sweetheart Charles Owens on October 24, 1959. They had 3 children born in Pittsburgh, PA and moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1963 where they had a 4th child.

Jane is survived by her husband of 65 years Charles Owens, younger brother Thomas Mikula (Johanna), daughter Sherri Davis (Gary), 3 sons, Charles (Sammi), Rob (Colleen), Brian , (Wanda), 13 grandchildren, Read More

ALFORD ‘OMAR’ ROOS Aug. 11, 1944 – Dec. 30, 2023

On Saturday, December 30, 2023, Alford “Omar” Roos, passed away at the age of 79 after a long illness at the Los Alamos Medical Center, New Mexico. Omar was born on August 11, 1944, in Panama City, Republic of Panama, the son of Alford Roos, Jr., and Clotilde Lasso.

Omar graduated from Balboa High School in the Panama Canal Zone in June 1962, followed by Canal Zone College from 1962 until graduation in 1965. Omar then transferred to New Mexico State where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968. He continued his education in chemistry, physics, Read More

DARRA FLYNN GALLEGOS May 17, 1956 – Jan. 13, 2024

Darra left this world on Saturday, January 13, 2024 with her husband John by her side. Darra was born in Champaign, Illinois and moved to Los Alamos when she was two years old with her dad, mom and older sister, Kathy. Darra became a big sister to Trish, Mike, Eddie and Colleen.

Darra was the second oldest of six children. She was born to Dr. Edward R.  Flynn and the late Gail (Bauer) Flynn.

She is predeceased by her son Jacob Busse, mom Gail, brother Edward Flynn Jr, nephew Jordon, and nephew Christopher.

She is survived by her loving husband of 43 years John Read More

(ELI) VOIL LATTIN Jan. 7, 2024

(Eli) Voil Lattin, 87, passed away on Jan. 7, 2024, peacefully in his sleep.

He was born in Winslow, AZ to Eli Voil Lattin Sr. and Betty (Rubi). After his father’s death in a train accident when he was 12 years old, his mother moved the family to Albuquerque in 1949 where he attended Jefferson Jr High and Highland High School. He was very active in athletics and student government at Highland.

While at UNM he was also in the Air Force Reserve. He married Mary Legere in 1961 and they had two sons. That marriage ended, and in 1985, he married Shirlie Radosevich. Their blended Read More

CHARMAINE STRAWMAN WEBER Feb. 18, 1935 – Jan. 2, 2024

On January 2, 2024, Charmaine Strawman Weber, loving wife, mother and grandmother, passed away, peacefully in her sleep, at her home in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Charmaine was born February 18, 1935, in Toledo, Ohio, to parents Harold and Flossie Strawman of Rising Sun, Ohio. She grew up on a farm where her love for animals, gardening and especially music, shaped her entire life.

Charmaine’s mother was a very caring piano teacher and encouraged many students to go on with their music, including her daughter.

Good advice was taken, and Charmaine Read More

JOSHUA LEE BRASHEAR June 16, 1987 – Jan. 2, 2024

Joshua Lee Brashear joined Jesus in heaven on January 2, 2024. Joshua was born on June 16, 1987 in Albuquerque, NM and grew up to be a very bright and witty young man. When he was four years old, the family moved to Hesperus, CO. Joshua attended Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary, New Life Academy, and Excel Charter School where he graduated in 2005 as Valedictorian of his High School class.

After High School, Joshua attended San Juan College in Farmington, NM receiving several computer certifications. He then attended New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology Read More

CAROL BELSHEIM NIELSON Feb. 20, 1930 – Oct. 19, 2023

A celebration of Carol’s life will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2390 North Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544.

Carol Ruth Belsheim Nielson — a musician and librarian known and loved for her graciousness, generosity, and irrepressible sense of humor — died Oct. 19, 2023, in Santa Fe, NM, after a long decline due to cardiac issues and Parkinson’s disease.

Born Feb. 20, 1930, in Minneapolis, MN, Carol was the oldest child of Dorothy Stephan Belsheim, a homemaker and grocery store worker, and George Read More

GENE FRANCIS MORTENSEN Dec. 24, 1935 – Dec 24, 2023

Gene Mortensen passed away peacefully on his 88th birthday, surrounded by his children, on December 24, 2023.

He was born in Albuquerque and attended St. Mary’s High School where he was a vital member of the football, basketball and track teams, while also lending his expert speaking skills, with wit and banter, to the high school speech team.

He graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in Chemistry, and during his time there, met the love of his life, Gail Gere. They were married in 1955 and lovingly raised six children together Read More

PATRICIA MARIE CARNEY March 7, 1955 – Dec. 13, 2023

Patricia Marie Carney, of White Rock, died on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, after a sudden illness. She was 68.

She was born to Hugh and Marion Carney on March 7, 1955, and lived—along with six siblings and numerous animals—on the family’s farm near Renton, WA.

She attended parochial schools, spent a year studying in Grenoble, France, and graduated from the University of Seattle. She then lived, through the years, in Seattle, Kent, and Selah, WA, as she worked for various agencies as a social worker; primarily Consejo, Group Health, and Evergreen Read More

CONRAD HENRY LONGMIRE Oct. 27, 1948 – Dec. 25, 2023

Henry Longmire of Newburyport, MA, passed away peacefully at the age of 75, surrounded by his loving family, on December 25, 2023 at the Kaplan Family Hospice House.

Born in New York City on October 27, 1948 to Conrad and Theresa Longmire (née Izzo), Henry and his family relocated to Los Alamos, NM in 1949. Henry forever considered Los Alamos his home, having been raised in a community of scientists, whose curiosity sparked Henry’s own endless desire to learn. The second of seven siblings, Henry retained a constant, strong sense of family Read More

JOSEPH F. WATHEN Dec. 22, 2023

Joseph F. Wathen passed away on December 22, 2023, at 97 years old. 

Joe was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1926. At age seven, in the midst of the Great Depression, Joe’s family moved to a family farm in Hardin County, near Elizabethtown, KY. The farmhouse had no running water, electricity, or furnace, much like the nearby one-room schoolhouse that he attended.

Joe and his brothers learned the value of hard work and determination, by necessity. They worked the tobacco crop and tended the animals, all while excelling in their schoolwork and athletics.

In 1944 Joe Read More

DONALD EDWARD LANDRY April 18, 1936 – Nov. 21, 2023

Donald Edward Landry, 87, was born on April 18, 1936, in Garner, Massachusetts, and passed away on November 21, 2023, in Rio Rancho after a brief illness. He was the son of the late J. Omer and Irene Landry of Athol, Massachusetts.

After graduating from Athol High School in 1954, Don attended Norwich University for 3 years before he received his appointment to The United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1961 with a degree in civil engineering.

Don’s 20-year military career included a tour of Panama during the Panama Riots (1964) Read More

WILLIAM LEE MUDD April 12, 1931 – Dec. 17, 2023

An incredible man earned his wings with his loving family by his side on December 17, 2023.

William Lee Mudd was born on April 12, 1931, in Peoria, IL to Lela and William C. Mudd. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1950 and served 3 years during the Korean conflict. He married his sweetheart, Joan E. Hoepfner, also from Peoria, upon his return to the US.

Bill earned his BS in physics, and the couple headed West. They arrived in Los Alamos in 1959 where he worked his entire career. He retired at 57, and he and Joan explored NM living in Albuquerque, Corrales and Conchas Read More

BLAIR MICHAEL ART Nov. 22, 2023 – Oct. 28, 1968

On Wednesday, November 22, 2023, Blair Michael Art, father of three, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 55. Blair was born on October 28, 1968, in Denver, CO to Jon and Susan Art. He received his undergraduate degree from Colorado State University, where he met his wife of 27 years, Kellie. The couple moved to Los Alamos, NM where they were married and went on to raise three children, Chandler, Cameron and Jon.

During his time in Los Alamos, he pursued and received his Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the University of New Mexico, alongside Read More

WILLIAM MARSH 1930 – Dec. 2, 2023

Bill was born in Quanah, TX in 1930 to Dewey and Augusta Marsh. The family lived in a number of Texas communities, and he graduated high school in Houston. Bill served honorably in the USAF during the Korean War. He moved to New Mexico where he met and married his wife of 60 years, Dorene.

Bill worked for the New Mexico State Police and later for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) where he held a high-level security clearance and worked in several departments. He enjoyed building and repairing things and was incredibly skilled at both.

In retirement, he enjoyed playing Read More

PRESILIANO SANDOVAL Jan. 21, 1925 – Dec. 8, 2023

On Friday, December 8, 2023, Presiliano Sandoval passed away peacefully at his home in Truchas, NM.

Presiliano lived his entire life in Truchas, and his passing represents the end of an era, a loss of traditional life and language, a paradigm shift for his family and community.

He was born in Truchas on January 21, 1925, at the home of his parents, Pablita and Apolinar, a mere 400 yards away from the home he and his first wife Dora built and where he lived much of his nearly 99 years.

Presiliano saw Truchas grow from a village of farmers and weavers into a Read More

RUDY ELOY ABEYTA, SR. June 22, 1949 – Nov. 27, 2023

Rudy Abeyta, Sr. ascended to heaven on November 27, 2023. Born in Embudo, NM.

Rudy grew up in a large family with 12 brothers and sisters. He married Alice Gurule and moved to Los Alamos in 1969. Rudy worked at the Los Alamos Medical Center, and later moved on to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory until retiring from his extensive service at TA-55/PF-4 in 2006.

No matter what state or city he traveled to, Rudy ran into friends and coworkers from throughout his career. Everyone knew they could trust Rudy to know how to fix anything and everything at Read More

BERNICE L. QUINN Nov. 15, 1926 – Nov. 30, 2023

Bernice Quinn was born November 15, 1926, in Dow City, Iowa. Her father, Hans Birkhofer, moved her family to Ajlune, WA to escape the Dust Bowl. She grew up on a farm that raised cows and hogs.

She met her future husband, Warren Quinn, in the 4th grade. She and Warren were married in 1946 and celebrated 75 years upon his death in 2022. They later lived in Pullman, WA where she was a bookkeeper and supported Warren through college. They then moved to Cambridge, MA while Warren went to Harvard and she continued to support him.

Once Warren completed his Ph.D., they Read More

JOHN JOSEPH CHAMBERLIN Sept. 21, 1934 – Nov. 30, 2023

On Thursday, November 30, 2023, John Joseph Chamberlin, loving father of three children and good friend to many passed away peacefully after a short illness in his home at the age of 89 surrounded by his children.

John was born in Mattoon, Illinois on September 21, 1934, to Donald and Violet (Whetsell) Chamberlin. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1953. Following high school, he attended college for a short time. He then enrolled in the Navy in 1955 and was discharged in 1957. John had a long and successful career at the Los Alamos Scientific Read More

RAMON MICHEL Oct. 13, 1959 – Nov. 16, 2023

Ramon Michel was born on October 13, 1959, in San Miguel, Jalisco. He was a hard worker who loved music and knew how to make others laugh.

He is survived by his loving wife, Maria D. Garcia De Michel (Lolita), Mauricio Javier Garcia Terriquez (son), Ilse Daniela Michel (daughter), and Tobi Mitchel (pet).

The Michel family would be honored for anyone who would like to attend Ramon’s memorial service on Saturday January 6, 2024, located at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, which will begin at 11:00 am.

On behalf of Maria, Mauricio, and Ilse, we would Read More

THOMAS K. THOMPSON Jan. 19, 1940 – Dec. 2, 2023

Thomas K. Thompson “T. K.” passed away December 2, 2023, from complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was born in Minot, North Dakota, January 19, 1940, to Samuel Keith and Nelle Leona Benell Thompson.

He married his sweetheart, Alma (Allie) Huddleson, November 26, 1960, and they had their 63rd anniversary this year. On their second date, they went to a movie featuring a drunken maid named Alma. As they left the theater, he said “You are no Alma.” She’s been Allie ever since. They were the proud parents of three beautiful and talented children: Scott Read More

JO ANNA BOOR Sept. 17, 1949 – Dec. 2, 2023

Jo Anna Boor died peacefully at home on Saturday, December 2, 2023.

Jo Anna was born in Española, New Mexico on September 17, 1949, to Manuel and Marie Garcia. Jo Anna attended Loretto Academy in Santa Fe for high school and then went on to earn an associate degree in data processing from New Mexico State University.

She married and moved to Houston, Texas for a couple of years and then returned to Española and began working at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). Her career at LANL spanned 30 years.

Jo Anna had two children, Rocke Johnson and HC (Harry Carl) Read More

WINFRED ‘WINDY’ LEE HEADDY June 12, 1932 – Dec. 4, 2023

Winfred Lee “Windy” Headdy, 91, of Grand Junction, CO, passed away surrounded by family and friends on Monday, December 4, 2023, at the HopeWest Hospice Care Center.

Windy was born on June 12, 1932, in Spencer, IN to Winfred R. Headdy and Daphene Hedrick Headdy. In 1947, he moved to Los Alamos, NM where he lived for 50 years and worked as an Industrial Photographer at the Los Alamos National Laboratory and ran a Wedding Photography business from 1950-1987.

He proudly served his country in the US Navy during the Korean War from 1950-1954. He moved Read More

BARBARA JOYCE BIBEAU Aug. 9, 1937 – Nov. 17, 2023

Barbara Joyce Bibeau passed away at her home on November 17, 2023; she was surrounded by her loved ones.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents Chester and Beatrice Smith, and brothers Chester and Norman Smith.

Barbara was born in central Massachusetts on August 9, 1937. She moved to Los Alamos with her family in 1951, graduating from Los Alamos High School in 1955. Barbara loved to bowl, play golf, was a very good pool player, and loved going to the casino.

Barbara worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory for over 35 years providing administrative Read More

VIVIAN ‘GUY’ SOLANO Feb. 27, 1941 – Nov. 20, 2023

Vivian “Guy” Solano, formerly of Raton, New Mexico, age 82, passed away in the loving care of his family November 20, 2023. Guy was born February 27, 1941, in Raton to the late Roman and Amada (Valdez) Solano.

He is also preceded in passing by seven of his eight siblings. Guy served in the National Guard and worked as a computer operator at the Berkley Laboratory. He was able to retire and return to his hometown Raton to care for his parents.

He was a family man and loved his children as well as his siblings and grand/great grandchildren in a special way. Guy Read More

ELOISE ‘ELLIE’ MARGIOTTA Sept. 26, 1938 – Nov. 30, 2023

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Eloise (Ellie) Margiotta, 85, a beloved mother, cherished grandmother and devoted friend. Ellie departed this world on November 30, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones.

Ellie was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 26, 1938, to Carmine and Elizabeth Conforte and lived there until she was married in 1960 and moved to Long Island, NY with her husband Paul. In 1978 Ellie, Paul and their 3 children moved to New Mexico where she remained.

A beacon of enormous strength, Ellie faced life’s challenges Read More