Estevan (Steve) Garcia
Funeral Mass for Estevan (Steve) Garcia, 39, will be at 11 a.m. today at St. Joseph’s Mission in Mescalero, followed by burial at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruidoso. A Celebration of Life luncheon will follow at St. Eleanor’s Catholic Church in Ruidoso.
Mr. Garcia died Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004.
He was born July 17, 1965.
He will always be remembered as a kind and gentle heart who traveled to the beat of his own drum.
Survivors include his mother, Nieves Garcia, of Ruidoso; sisters Elizabeth Garcia of Ruidoso and Deborah Garcia of Irving, Texas; brothers Ricardo Garcia of Arlington, Texas, and Jerry Garcia Jr. and his family; a sister-in-law, Terry Garcia; nephews Ezekiel and Nicodemus Garcia of Irving Texas; a host of uncles, aunts, cousins; and numerous friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry S. Garcia.
Ruben J. Sandoval
Visitation for Ruben J. Sandoval, 84, of Ruidoso Downs will be from 3 to 4:30 p.m. today at LaGrone Funeral Chapel in Ruidoso. Funeral services will be at 5 p.m. at St. Eleanor's Catholic Church, with burial on Monday at Santa Fe National Cemetery.
Mr. Sandoval died Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004, in Ruidoso.
He was born Dec. 27, 1919, in Chimayo.
He moved to Lincoln County 20 years ago from the Los Alamos-Chimayo area.
He served in the Navy during World War II, was a member of the Lincoln County Medical Center Auxiliary, Neighborhood Watch in Ruidoso Downs, Knights of Columbus in Ruidoso and Chimayo, American Legion in Ruidoso and Espanola, a charter member of the Chimayo Volunteer Fire Department, an active member of the Holy Name Society at Chimayo, and worked as an accountant at the Los Alamos Labs for 33 years.
He married Adeline Martinez on June 4, 1949, in Santa Cruz.
Survivors include his wife, Adeline, of Ruidoso Downs; daughters Christine Farrington of Ruidoso and Evelyn Jacquez of Espanola; a brother, Solomon Trujillo, of Chimayo; sisters Dora Vigil of Santa Fe and Flora Leyba of Santa Fe; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Gerald Sandoval.
Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso.
Robert Grant Keyes
A memorial graveside service for Robert Grant Keyes, 86, of Roswell and Ruidoso, is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Memory Lawn Memorial Park in Roswell. Roswell Veterans Honor Guard will provide the military rites.
Mr. Keyes died at his home Nov. 16, 2004.
He was born June 29, 1918, at his family's home, 1104 S. Main in Roswell (the current location of Albertson's), to F. Grant and Amy Garst Keyes. He was part of a pioneer family which moved to the Pecos Valley in 1913 from Worces-ter, Mass.
He graduated from Roswell High School in 1937 and attended Texas Tech University from 1937 to 1941, studying petroleum engineering and geology. He also worked in the oil fields in Eddy County. A volunteer veteran of World War II, he enlisted as a charter member of the Lubbock Army Flying School in January 1942.
Mr. Keyes was married to Alerta Naomi Thompson on Sept. 3, 1945, in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England. Alerta was a British war bride who met her husband when he was stationed with the 8th Air Force, attached to the 100th Bomb Group in Thorpe Abbotts, England. He was an administration specialist and link trainer instructor with the 456th Sub Depot and a staff sergeant, serving in the European theater from 1943 to 1945. He designed and built a B-17 weathervane for the museum at Thorpe Abbotts, his home away from home.
He retired after 32 years as an engineer specialist with Southwestern Public Service, through which he took more than 1,000 hours of courses. He designed, engineered and surveyed many electrical lines in Roswell and the rest of the Pecos Valley, including Clovis and Portales. He was an electrical consultant after leaving SPS.
During his younger years in Ruidoso, Mr. Keyes was an avid fisherman in the Rio Ruidoso and the North Fork, back in the days when the fishing limit was 25. He liked to visit with his friend, Percy Bigmouth, who was usually around the same area. He was also a prolific builder and craftsman.
Survivors include his wife and two daughters, Marsha Keyes and Giselle Keyes; and a brother, Conrad Keyes of Ruidoso. He was predeceased by his parents as well as his sisters, Barbara Davidson and Marjorie Meyer.
Honorary pallbearers for Saturday's ceremony will be Frank Mangan, Bill Slade, Albert Reese, James Brannon, Al Atkinson, Dennis Mahaffey, Mike Costello, Thurman Mirick, Clyde Burnett, Buford Taylor, Myron Stolaroff, Larry Blount, Dewayne Beagles, Al Day, Jack Keopple, Bill Ennis and Louis McDonald.
In accordance with the wishes of the deceased, the family requests that instead of flowers, friends should “please spend the money on yourself for something you enjoy, or give to a charity you would like to support.”
Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel and Cremato-ry in Roswell.
Alice Blakestad
Services will be held at a later date for Alice Blakestad, 78, of Hondo who died Friday, Dec. 3, in Ruidoso.
She was born February 15, 1926, at Monterrey, Mexico. She moved to Lincoln County 24 years ago from Dallas. She was a longtime member of the Lincoln County Historical Society and the Methodist Church, and she was a homemaker. She married Robert B. Blakestad on February 26, 1946, at Roswell.
Survivors include her husband Robert of Hondo; two sons, Robert B. Blakestad Jr. of Denver, CO and Rodney A. Blakestad of Tucson, AZ; two daughters, Layne Tobin of Brooksmith, TX and Elyse Beckman of Ruidoso; a sister, Ruth McPherson of Roswell and Warren Cobean of Connecticut; 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. The family has requested memorials to the Methodist Children's Home in Waco, Texas.
James Ely (Jake) Freeman
Graveside services for James Ely (Jake) Freeman will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, at South Park Cemetery in Roswell. Services will be officiated by Pastor Phil Grassie of 1st Christian Church. Freeman, 96, died Dec. 4, 2004, at Casa Maria Health Care Center.
Mr. Freeman was born March 5, 1908, in Kennard, Texas. He was raised in San Angelo, TX. He was a contractor in the early years of his life. he built airports and highways, plus commercial buildings. While in San Angelo, he was an estimator and superintendent for J.D. Burk Company.
In 1976, he retired from contracting and moved to Ruidoso, NM, to work as an estimator for his son-in-law’s construction company. He lived in Ruidoso from 1976 to 1985. He retired in 1985 and moved to Roswell. He was a devoted caregiver to his wife in her last days.
Mr. Freeman was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Freeman, as well as his wife Noreen Freeman, and his granddaughter Tina Lea Dacy. Survivors include his son James Taylor Freeman of Dallas, TX; one sister, Lorene Young and her family of Dallas, TX; his daughter Sandra Dacy and husband Wayne of Roswell, NM; granddaughter Melisa Rapstine and husband Wes, and two great-grandsons, Michael and Colton Rapstine, of Granite Shoals, TX.
Survivors also include his very special companion Wilda Brown of Roswell, NM, and her sons, David Brown and wife Kathy of Centreville, VA, and Jimmy Brown of Odessa, TX.
Memorials may be made to the 1st Christian Church at 1500 S. Main, Roswell, or to a charity of choice. Arrangements are under the direction of La Grone Funeral Chapel & Crematory.
Ashley Reneé Goar
Visitation for Ashley Reneé Goar, 13, of Alto will be Wednesday, Dec. 8, from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at LaGrone Funeral Chapel in Ruidoso with the funeral on Thursday, Dec. 9, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Ruidoso with burial to follow at the Ruidoso Hondo Valley Cemetery. Officiating will be the Rev. Tim Gilliland and Rev. Mark Davis.
The funeral procession from the church to the cemetery will be escorted by police units from several forces in addition to the Ruidoso Police Department, including: the New Mexico State Police, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Alamogordo DPS, Portales PD, Capitan PD, Lovington PD, Otero County Sheriff’s Office, Albuquerque PD, Dona Anna County Sheriff’s Office, Border Patrol, Roswell PD, and Socorro PD.
Ashley died Sunday, Dec. 5, in Albuquerque. She was born April 27, 1991, in Alamogordo and had lived in Lincoln County all of her life. She was a 7th grader at Ruidoso Middle School, member of Girl Scout Troop #21 and First Baptist Church.
Survivors include her parents, Dewayne and Darla Goar of Alto; a brother, Ty Goar of Alto; grandparents, Glenn and Lynda Goar of Mountainair, Carol Lang of Portales and Richard Lang of Florida; great grandparents, Evelyn Ham of Truth or Consequences and Pearl Goar of Mountainair.
Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso.
Gary Don White
Memorial services for Gary Don White will be 10 a.m., Wednesday, at the 1st Church of the Nazarene, Wichita, KS. Mr. White, age 41, died Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004.
Survivors include, parents, Orin and Emily White of Wichita; sister, Dana Noseff of Bakersfield, CA; Cynthia Hudspeth and her husband, Jeff of Rose Hill; nephews, Allen and Steven Noseff, and Ryan Hudspeth; niece, Megan Hudspeth. Memorials may be made to the Ryan White Foundation.
Arrangements are under the direction of Broadway Mortuary, Wichita, KS.
David Monk
Memorial service for David Monk, 48, of Ruidoso Downs will be Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Ruidoso Downs with Rev. Randy Widener officiating. Mr. Monk died Tuesday, Dec. 7, in Ruidoso, he was born April 11, 1956 at Dallas, Texas. He moved to Lincoln County in April 1993 from Lawton, Okla. He attended First Baptist Church of Ruidoso Downs and loved to rock climb and stone cut.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Monk of Ruidoso Downs; mother, Pat Carnegie, Oklahoma; two brothers, Ricky Monk and Marty Monk and a sister, Karen Weaver.
Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso.
Hollis Nosker
Private graveside services for Hollis Nosker, 87, will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 8, at the Nosker Family Cemetery in Ruidoso Valley, with eulogy by Kenneth Nosker. Visitation is today, Jan. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ellis Funeral Home in Midland, Texas.
Hollis died Wednesday, Jan. 5. He was born on homesteaded land in Maupin, Oregon, on July 14, 1917. He grew up in the Ruidoso Valley, where he went to school and joined the Army. He was a Master Mason with the Lincoln County Lodge and had been a member for 50 years on April 1, 2003.
He was preceded in death by his parents Burtle and Willie Belle Winfree Nosker; sisters Mabel Nosker Harris and Hazel Nosker Perry; and his oldest brother Buck Ellis Nosker.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Jeanne Ridings Nosker of Midland, Texas; two brothers, Owen B. Nosker and Kenneth Nosker with his wife Irene Bonnell Nosker; and a large extended family.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home in Midland, Texas.
Dollie Harmon
Services for Dollie Harmon, 89, of Muleshoe, Texas, were Thursday, Jan. 6, at the Muleshoe Church of Christ with Gary Montgomery officiating. Dollie died Jan. 3 in Lubbock, Texas.
She was born April 4, 1915, in Rochester, Texas. She married William Harmon in Dalhart, Texas, on Dec. 21, 1933. Dollie was preceded in death by her husband on Jan. 25, 2004; son Bill Harmon in 1999; a sister and three brothers.
Dollie has been a resident of Muleshoe since 1934. She was a member of the Muleshoe Church of Christ and worked as a homemaker.
Survivors include one son and two daughters-in-law, Don and Wanda Harmon of Ruidoso, and Jo Harmon of Lubbock; six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Children’s Home of Lubbock, 4404 Idalon Hwy., Lubbock, TX 79403.
Russell Lee Beckley
A memorial service for Russell L. Beckley, 67, will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, March 11, at the Community Church in Lincoln with Reverend Bill Jones officiating. A memorial service in Alamogordo will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, March 14, at the Sears Alamogordo Funeral Home Chapel, 2301 First St., with Reverend Dr. Lowell Swisher officiating. Mr. Beckley died Friday, March 4, 2005, in Roswell.
He was born March 5, 1937, in Mt. Vernon, Ill., to Louis and Anna Pearl Beckley. Mr. Beckley served in the U.S. Army and was also a deputy for the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department for several years.
Surviving family members include his wife Barbara Beckley of Lincoln; a daughter Pamela Seals, of Lincoln; sons, Frank A. Beckley of Alamogordo and William G. Beckley of Barstow, Calif.; three brothers, Donald Beckley and wife Rosie, Louis W. Beckley, Jr. and Paul W. Beckley and wife Janet; two sisters, Shirley White and husband Bob, and Mary Weaver, all of Illinois. Survivors also include his grandchildren – Russell, Rebecca, Tiffany, Nicholas, Alex, Zachary, Stephanie, Deanna – and assorted great grandchildren.
Services are under the direction of Sears Alamogordo Funeral Home.
Everett Dollar
Everett Dollar, 75, died Sunday, March 6, 2005, at Grace House of Lubbock in Lubbock, Texas. His cremated remains will be interred with his sons in Zybach Cemetery at Allison, Texas, at a later date.
Mr. Dollar was born Feb. 21, 1930, at Erick, Okla. He married Billie McDaniel May 28, 1952, in Pampa, Texas.
Mr. Dollar was a basketball and track coach in several schools before he became Superintendent at Allison I.S.D. in Allison, Texas, in 1965. He served there until 1976, at which time he became Superintendent at the Bledsoe I.S.D. in Bledsoe, Texas, where he served 10 years until his retirement in 1986. Mr. Dollar was a member of many educational associations, too numerous to mention. He and Billie moved to Ruidoso in June 1986.
He was a member of the Ruidoso Masonic Lodge as well as a member and Master Mason of the Wheeler Masonic Lodge in Wheeler, Texas.
Mr. Dollar was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Mary Dollar and his sons Doug and Steve.
Surviving family members include his wife Billie of Ruidoso; three sisters, Opal McAlexander, of Willow, Okla., June Hogg of Granite, Okla., and Betty Ellis of Oklahoma City, Okla.
The family suggests memorials be made to your favorite charity.
Julia V. Samora
Visitation for Julia V. Samora, 69, of Carrizozo were held on Thursday, March 10, at Santa Rita’s Catholic Church in Carrizozo. The funeral Mass will be Friday, March 11, at 10 a.m. with burial to follow at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Cemetery with Rev. Dave Bergs officiating. Mrs. Samora died Monday, March 7, in Albuquerque.
She was born September 15, 1935, in Carrizozo to Amata and Joe Vega Sr. and has lived in Carrizozo all of her life. She worked in the Lincoln County Tax Assessors office most of her life, retiring in 1990. She attended Santa Rita’s Catholic Church. She married Rito M. Samora on November 26, 1955, in Carrizozo.
Surviving family members include her husband, Rito of Carrizozo; her children, Rito Samora Jr., Paul Samora, Tommy Samora, Gaby Samora, Delores Renney and Patrick Samora all of Carrizozo; a brother, Edward Vega of Carrizozo; a sister, Mary McKinley of Las Cruces; 11 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Arrangements are under the direction of LaGrone Funeral Chapel of Ruidoso.
