Obituaries

JOEL MANN WILLIAMS JR. June 3, 2017

Joel Mann Williams Jr. (“Pete” to his family), age 77, died Saturday, June 3, 2017. He passed away peacefully, in his home, surrounded by his entire immediate family.

Joel is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Mary Carol; his daughter Reine; son Michael; two grandchildren, Steven and Morgan; and many family members back home in Virginia. Joel also leaves behind countless close friends, colleagues, and the close-knit members of the local tennis community.

Joel was born in Suffolk, Virginia, to Joel Williams Sr. and Mildred Williams. After graduating Read More

PATRICIA (TRISHA) ANN HICKS LIVINGSTON Dec. 22, 1948 – June 2, 2017

Patricia (Trisha) Ann (Hicks) Livingston, 68, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2017 after a brief illness. She was born in Las Vegas, NM on December 22, 1948 to Johnnie and Gloria (Roberts) Hicks. She moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1951 and remained there until 1979 when she moved to Midland, TX.

Trisha was preceded in death by her parents, Johnnie and Gloria Hicks, and sister-in-law Lynda Hicks. She is survived by her brothers Lawrence Hicks (Jeanne), Robert Hicks, and Thomas Hicks (Lori); nieces and nephews Andrea Hicks Collins Read More

ROBERT M. ABERNATHEY Nov. 7, 1924 – May 31, 2017

Robert M. Abernathey, 92, of White Rock, passed away Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at home. Born November 7, 1924, in Gaylord, Kansas, he was the son of the late Perry and Ollie Abernathey.

Bob grew up on a Kansas farm. He went to school in a one room school house from first through eighth grade before attending high school in Cedar, Kansas. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy the week after Pearl Harbor, and it was during his service time that he developed a lifelong love of flying planes. Bob put himself through school at Fort Hays Kansas State College using Read More

GEORGE ALLAN MATTYS Dec. 12, 1955 – May 23, 2017

George Allan Mattys, 61, native and resident of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed from this life in his sleep on Tuesday, May 23, 2017.  During his careers in New Mexico, George worked for Los Alamos National Labs, TRK, and Plateau Property Management.  He also worked as a cabinetmaker and carpenter for a time in Colorado.

George loved the outdoors and the mountains, and the beauty, simplicity, and serenity of nature, and spent much time exploring, camping, and photographing its detail and wonder.

He was funny and sometimes irreverent, Read More

NONA BONDURANT BOWMAN Nov. 21, 1932 – May 18, 2017

Nona Bondurant Bowman passed away peacefully and quickly on May 18, 2017, with her family by her side. After a fall in the lobby of the Mary Deal theater on May 17, she apparently suffered a severe concussion and never regained consciousness. Her passing ended a two-year period of serious intermittent illnesses. Nona is survived by her husband, Charles Daniel Bowman; her son, David Carlton Bowman of Farmington, NM; and her daughter, Brenda Herbert with her husband Patrick Herbert of Raleigh, NC, and their children, Lindsey and Parker.

Nona was Read More

JUAN B. BAUTISTA GONZALES Nov. 29, 1932 – May 13, 2017

Juan B. Gonzales, 84, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, was called to his eternal resting place on May 13, 2017.

He entered this world on November 29, 1932 in Santa Fe, NM, born to David and Nasarena Gonzales. He was the second youngest of his five siblings.

Juan served in the US Navy from 1955 to 1959 during the Korean Conflict, two years of which were aboard the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier. He met and later married Clara Stanek, of Bolivar, MO., who was serving in the Army while both were stationed in Colorado Read More

BARBARA L. JONES Feb. 22, 1927 – May 13, 2017

Barbara was born in Denver, CO. After graduating from South HS in 1945, she worked for the Colorado Medical Society. She married her high school sweetheart, Thomas I. Jones in 1947. The newlyweds moved to Golden while Tom finished college.

In 1951, they moved to Los Alamos where Tom had accepted a position at LASL. Barb worked as a secretary for about 5 years, before she and Tom started their family. During her time raising their two girls, Barb enjoyed helping with school activities, Girl Scouts, and coaching her girls softball team for about 10 years. Read More

CHARLES ALLEN WRIGHT May 8, 2017

Charles Allen Wright, a 47 year resident of Los Alamos, passed away at the age of 81 on Monday, May 8, 2017.

Charles is preceded in death by father, Charles Allen Wright; mother, Rose Alpert and daughter Sandy Banister.

Mr. Wright was born and raised in Newton, MA. He was hired by EG&G Inc. in 1961 in Boston, MA as an electronics technician. This began Wright’s 46-year career with EG&G and its Los Alamos successors. As an EG&G employee, Wright participated in above ground nuclear testing in the south pacific as well as underground testing at the Nevada Read More

ANN BRANDENBERGER May 5, 2017

Ann Brandenberger of Los Alamos, New Mexico passed away peacefully in her sleep at Saint Vincent hospital May 5, 2017 due to complications from a severe infection. She had been residing in the Santa Fe Care Center nursing home since February 2017.

Mrs. Brandenberger was born in Brownsville, Texas in 1938 and spent her childhood in San Angelo, Texas. Her parents were Jack Henry Morris and Billie Gresham-Morris. She had a degree in mathematics from the University of Texas and obtained her Doctorate of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Read More

LAUREN HULL MACDONALD Nov. 28, 1950 – May 7, 2017

Lauren Hull MacDonald (aka, Lauren Hull Earles) was born November 28, 1950 in Los Alamos, New Mexico. On May 07, 2017, after a long, courageous and valiant battle with breast cancer, Lauren departed on her next journey. While only she and the afterlife know the specifics of her new path, most of the living say, “it is a better place, a place where she is comfortable, and a place where she is welcome.”

Lauren’s journey on earth began and ended in Los Alamos. Along the way she explored and lived life fully, made many folks laugh, and always helped those Read More

ROGER L. RASMUSSEN May 4, 2017

Roger L. Rasmussen, 96, died at home in Los Alamos on May 4, 2017. His daughter Beth, Fr. Glenn Jones, and neighbor and family friend Deidra Remde were at his side. He was the loving husband of Jane Keller Rasmussen, whom he met while she was serving in the Women’s Army Corps in Los Alamos. They married in Santa Fe in 1945; she preceded him in death in 2007 after a loving marriage of 62 years. 

Roger is survived by his son Gregory (Trudy) Rasmussen of Grand Blanc, Michigan; daughter Beth (Mark) Bonner of Naples, Florida; granddaughter Jennifer (J.P.) Buckingham and Read More

JOHN LANGDON RAND May 2, 2017

John Langdon Rand, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. John was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia, last May, following 63 years of marriage.

Born in Detroit, Michigan to John and Leona Rand, John was raised in eastern Oregon and thereafter retained life-long ties to family and friends in the northwest. He is survived by his 6 children: John (Brenda), Mark (Carolyn), Greg (Christine), Amy (Don), Dan (Remi), Joe (Carminda); 15 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren. 

At 17 years old, John volunteered for the Navy during WWII. He served in the Philippines Read More

JANE GERHEART June 28, 1940 – April 18, 2017

Jane Gerheart (June 28, 1940), a longtime resident of Los Alamos, passed away on April 18, 2017 after battling pancreatic cancer for nine months. She is survived by her husband Don of over 52 years, a daughter, Ann and son, Chuck & daughter-in-law, Chris & a sister, Nancy Chase from Laramie, WY.

Jane taught band in the Los Alamos Public Schools from 1986 to 2005. Her middle school bands qualified for the New Mexico Activities Association State Band Contests in 2003 and 2005. Both times they received the first-place trophy in the middle school classification. Read More

RICHARD P. COOK March 25, 1926 – April 17, 2017

Richard P. Cook, 91, a lifelong resident of Española, passed away peacefully at his home on April 17, 2017 surrounded by his loved ones. 

Richard was born in Española, New Mexico on March 25, 1926 to Windell P. Cook, a businessman and Sarah A. Acherman, a school teacher. He graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1943. After high school, he was inducted into the U.S. Navel Service in 1944. He served in the Navy in the Asiatic Pacific Arena during World War II. He was a trained “frogman” that served as the predecessors to the Navy Seals. After he Read More

ELIZABETH “BETTY” HANSBURY March 15, 1925 – April 12, 2017

Elizabeth “Betty” Hansbury, 92, was born March 15, 1925, died as she wanted, at her home on Wednesday, April 12, 2017. 

Betty was preceded in death by her parents. Betty, an only child, was born in Las Vegas, NM to Arthur H. and Dorothy W. Hansbury. She graduated from Las Vegas High School, where she enjoyed sports including skiing, hiking, tennis, basketball, baseball and softball. She graduated from the University of Colorado, she received her master’s degree from New Mexico Highlands University, and did post graduate work at Read More

DENIS CHARLES DUFFY Jr. July 10, 1939 – April 10, 2017

Denis Charles Duffy, Jr. of Colleyville, Texas died peacefully at 6PM on Monday, April 10, 2017 at the age of 77.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial at 11AM Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 861 Wildwood Lane, Grapevine, Texas with Father Martinez and Father George celebrating Mass. The family will receive friends at Foust Funeral Home in Grapevine 523 South Main Street between 6 and 8 PM Monday evening April 17, 2017.

Interment will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, in Santa Fe New Mexico on Friday April 21, 2017 Read More

WILLIAM C. DAVIS Dec. 22, 1925 – April 5, 2017

William C. Davis, 91, of Los Alamos died April 5, 2017. Bill was born in Manchester, New Hampshire on December 22, 1925, to Chester T.C. Davis and Eleanor Scamman Davis. He attended the public schools, and enlisted in the wartime United States Navy the week he graduated from high school in 1943. His service took him to the rank of RT1c, and the Asiatic Pacific ribbon with two stars and the Philippine Liberation ribbon with one star.

After the war he attended Tufts College and received the degree Bachelor of Science in Engineering summa cum laude. Read More

DEBBIE K. HAGERMANN April 1, 2017

Debbie K. Hagermann, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 1st, 2017.

Debbie was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas where she met Gary Hagermann. Debbie was just 14 years old when she and Gary began a relationship that would lead to a marriage that lasted for nearly 34 years.

Debbie was an outgoing woman so full of life. She enjoyed camping and fishing with her family and never hesitated at the chance to “get away”. 

Debbie never complained about the places that Gary’s job took them. Married and rushed off to Florida when Gary first Read More

JOYCE ANN HARVEY March 28, 2017

Former Los Alamos resident Joyce Ann Harvey passed on peacefully in her sleep on March 28th at Cottonwood Village, in Cottonwood. She was 86 years old.

She and her husband Ray, who proceeded her in death in 2013, worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory and retired to Camp Verde in 1989, and were both deeply involved in community activities there.

Joyce was an avid reader of mysteries and spent many happy hours on her computer corresponding with friends near and far.

She coached other seniors in computer use, and created several databases for local organizations. Read More

MATTIE EARL WHITSON SQUIRES Jan. 15, 1926 – March 23, 2017

Mattie Earl Whitson Squires was born on January 15, 1926, in Achille, Oklahoma and grew up in New Mexico and West Texas. She passed away on March 23, 2017, in Los Alamos, New Mexico at the age of 91.

In 1946, Mattie Earl married Billy Warren Squires in Littlefield, Texas. After residing in Arvada, Colorado for over 50 years, Mattie Earl retired to Pueblo, Colorado in 2003. She then moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico in 2015.

She was very proud of her career working for the federal government in Washington, D. C., Lubbock, Texas and Denver, Read More

DORIS JEAN (GRAHAM) PATTILLO March 15, 2017 – July 11,1926

Doris Jean (Graham) Pattillo died on March 15, 2017 following a brief illness. She was born July 11,1926 in McKinney,TX. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, James Albert Pattillo II (Greenville,TX), who died in Los Alamos on July 31, 2003.

She is survived by her two sons: James A. Pattillo III (Toledo,OH) and Stevan G. Pattillo (Jemez Springs,NM), grand children: Heather J. Pattillo (Portland,OR), Jessica L. Pattillo (Portland,OR), Margaret Z. Pattillo (New York City,New York). great-grand children: Forrest Read More

MARY C. BROOKS Jan. 9, 1926 – March 19, 2017

“Someone Special”

Mary C. Brooks, age 91 of Los Alamos, NM died March 19th at Palmilla Senior Center Living in Albuquerque, NM of natural causes.

Mary was born on January 09, 1926 to Norman and Ruth Carls of Allegany, NY. After graduating from Allegany High School and acing her chemistry regents, she attended Syracuse University and majored in Chemical Engineering.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1948 and met her soon to be husband Thomas Brooks. They were married at Hendricks Chapel on the campus of Syracuse University. Read More

MELISSA GAY (WIENKE) MORRISON Feb. 18, 1948 – March 16, 2017

Melissa Gay (Wienke) Morrison, a resident of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away after battling many health problems on March 16, 2017. She was born on February 18, 1948 to Bonnie Jean and Ernest Henry Louis Wienke, Jr. 

She grew up in Homer, Illinois and graduated from Homer High School. Melissa went on to graduate from Patricia Stevens College in St. Louis, Missouri, before working at University Ford in Champagne, Illinois. She married John Morrison on June 14, 1969 and then moved to Minneapolis for a brief stay before moving on Read More

WILFRED GUTIERREZ Sept. 15, 1934 – March 10, 2017

Wilfred Gutierrez was born to Eufrosina Gutierrez on September 15, 1934, in Velarde, NM. At age 82, he died peacefully at his home in Velarde on March 10, 2017.

A 1953 graduate of Espanola High School, he later served in the US Army for three years where he was honorably discharged and returned home to a 35-year career at Los Alamos National Laboratory. In 1960, he married Cleo Herrera of El Rancho and together, they raised five children.

Beyond his love of God and for his family, Wilfred’s passions were his apple orchard and working tirelessly to protect Read More