Obituaries

BILLY GRAHAM GAMBLE Oct. 31, 1925 – March 8, 2017

Billy Graham Gamble was born to Mary Elizabeth Tidrick Gamble and Russell Gamble in Winterset, Iowa October 31, 1925. He died March 8, 2017 in Espanola, New Mexico, with family by his side.

Billy was 91 years young, and lived a full and adventuresome life. The youngest of four boys, Billy was the explorer of the family. This beginning led to being a Boy Scout Leader when his son was in Scouting, to opening a museum in Aguilar, Colorado in his later years. Billy lived in the back of this museum, an old J.C. Penny building, and delighted in sharing his lifelong Read More

JoAnn DeLuzio Marts Jan. 15, 2017

JoAnn DeLuzio Marts, a long time resident of Arvada and Greeley, Colo., passed away Sunday, January 15, 2017 at Grace Point Living Facility. She will be missed by her family and many friends.

Born in 1929 in Denver, Colo., JoAnn worked as a secretary for the FBI and Los Alamos National Laboratory. She also taught piano, sang in St. Mary’s Catholic Church choir, and was active in oblate life at the Abbey of St. Walburga for many years. Throughout the years, she was involved in numerous music-oriented groups, as well as church and Read More

CLYDE ROACH March 4, 2017

Clyde Roach, 91, a long-time and respected resident of White Rock passed away on March 4, 2017, of natural causes at Los Alamos Medical Center.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Ann Roach, and daughters Beverly Mattson, Pam Mackey, and Sara Evans. Clyde was well-known in the area as a concrete contractor and home builder. He enjoyed going fishing and boating, was an avid reader, and baseball fan. He became appreciated for sharing homemade peanut brittle and chocolate chip cookies. He was a great storyteller who delighted in humorous embellishments.

Clyde Read More

Charles Frank Hammer Jan. 29, 1930 – March 6, 2017

Charles Frank Hammer, age 87, a long-time resident of Los Alamos, passed away after a short illness on Monday, March 6, 2017.

Charles was born to Frank and Katrina (Didicher) Hammer in Crestline, Ohio on January 29, 1930. After finishing High School he served his country in the Korean conflict.

While stationed in Washington, D.C. he met his life partner and love of his life Harriet Mallette. They married on July 31, 1954 in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

He studied at Ashland College and New Mexico State University and earned a BS in Electrical Engineering. Read More

DOROTHY BATES Feb. 17, 1930 – Feb. 24, 2017

Dorothy was born February, 17, 1930 in Syracuse, Kansas to William and Henrietta Dunn.

She married Robert H. Bates in 1952 and together they had six children. Dorothy loved to cook, sew, needlepoint, do crafts and was an avid reader.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, brother Roy Dunn, sister Eileen O’Kane, son Scott and son-in-law Michael French. She is survived by her brother Robert (Bernice) and children Susan, David (Linda), Debra (John), Steven (Shirley), Dennis (Murray), grandchildren RaeAnn (Kenneth) Hunnicut, Jason Read More

BETTY W. PETERSON March 26, 1930 – Feb. 26, 2017

Betty Peterson, loving mother, sister, grand- and great-grandmother passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family after a long illness.

Betty was born on March 26, 1930 in Nocona, Texas and moved with her family to Los Alamos in 1944 to work on the Manhattan Project. Betty spent time between riding horses, ice skating and attending Central School, graduating in 1948 before attending Texas A&M College.

After returning to Los Alamos, beloved horse in tow, she was briefly married and had a son, Ken. In 1960 she married Harry Waugh, a Mechanical Read More

DONALD F. CAMERON Jan. 17, 2017

Donald F. Cameron, age 85 a resident of Los Alamos passed away on Tuesday, January 17, 2017. He was preceded in death by his son, David Cameron; brother, Barry; Parents, Federick and Mae Cameron; Uncle, Harold Cameron.

He was commissioner of the Boy Scouts of New Mexico, he was a cyclist and a proud member of the Ski Patrol. He worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory for 18 years, and worked on the Rover Project at the Nevada Test Site. He had a sense of humor that will always be missed.

He is survived by his children, Beth Bowman (Dave); Ruth Cameron; grandchildren, Vanessa Read More

EDNA MARIE SUTTON Feb. 7, 2017

Edna Marie Sutton passed away on February 7, 2017 of an unexpected illness.

Marie was a loving and devoted Military wife to her surviving husband Terry Dean Sutton of 56 years. Her two daughters are Lisa Scott and Sherri Knapp. Marie also leaves behind her four loving grandchildren, Jay Scott, Kristina Little, Sara Scott and Sabrina Little.

Marie was the baby of 11 children born in Hampton, Georgia. Her remaining sisters are Ann Gasses, Jean Daniels, Norma Westmoreland, Dot Henderson and Margaret Stephens.

Edna Marie will be greatly missed from all of us. She was Read More

OLAN EDWARD THOMAS Sept. 10, 1923 – Feb. 12, 2017

Olan Edward Thomas died Feb. 12, 2017 in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Services for Olan will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017 at the Daniels Funeral Home at 7601 Wyoming Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109. Read More

RAYMOND ‘RAY’ D. PACHECO July 20, 1967 – Feb. 10, 2017

Raymond “Ray” D. Pacheco passed away at UNMH on February 10, 2017 surrounded by family and loved ones by his side. Ray was born in Los Alamos, NM. He graduated from Los Alamos High School as a “Hilltopper”. He continued his education at NMSU with a BA in Finance. At the time of his passing he resided in Santa Fe, NM.

He had many interests: music, motorcyles, reading and enjoying his furry companions, Tank and Sassy (previous Akitas – Kimo, Sumo, and Daisey).

Growing up in Los Alamos, his younger years were so much fun. He enjoyed riding his bike Read More

PHILLIP “PHIL” G. YOUNG July 21, 1937 – Feb. 10, 2017

Phillip “Phil” G. Young, Jr., 79, our beloved husband, father and grandfather passed away on February 10, 2017. Phil was born on July 21, 1937, in Beeville, Texas, to Phillip (Sr.) and Allie B. Young. 

He was raised in Refugio, Texas with his brothers and sisters, Allie, John, Martha “Moye” and Michael Young. Through his early school days, playing football and baseball, Phillip proudly represented the Refugio Bobcats, and he spent time alongside his father, Phillip Young, Sr., in his work as a Read More

HELEN M. LEDERER Jan. 30, 2017

Helen M. Lederer, 91, passed into the Grace of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Monday morning, January 30, 2017, at her home in Rio Rancho, NM, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and loved ones.

From the time Helen was a young girl in Marysville, Kansas, William and Lucy Corning instilled in her, and in her sisters and brother, that the truest riches in life are those we find in one another. She was raised in the Lutheran Church, and this foundation of Faith would shape the rest of life, both personally and professionally.

One night at a dance she almost missed, Read More

GEORGE MAXIMILLION SARWINSKI Jan. 26, 2017

George Maximillion Sarwinski (spelled with “SKI” because no Polack can spell toboggan) passed away on January 26th, 2017 in Los Alamos, New Mexico at the young age of 90.

George was preceded in death by his parents, John and Veronica Sarwinski; siblings Ann Murphy, Sophie Sarwinski, Al Sarwinski, Veronica Williamson, Thaddeus Sarwinski, Ruth Ritmeyer, Irene Krakovsky, Frances Hughes, Stanley Sarwinski, Pauline Sarwinski and his grandson, Bobby Chi. George is survived by his wife Linnea of 64 years, children, Greg (Georgia), Anna (Tom), Lisa Read More

RICHARD FREDERICK FARMAN – Dec. 20, 2016

Richard Frederick Farman (Dick), 81, recently of Golden, CO, passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2016.

He was born in Chicago, IL, on December 17, 1935, and graduated from Washington and Lee High School in Arlington, VA, in 1953.  He went on to Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy on Long Island where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Engineering in 1958. After receiving that degree and spending a year at sea, he enrolled at the University of Maryland, in College Park. In 1965, he earned his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering.

Dick was married Read More

Helen Mriz Mozden Aug. 2, 1926 – Jan. 16, 2017

Helen Mriz Mozden, 90, born August 2, 1926 in St. Clairsville, Ohio; died January 16, 2017 in Los Alamos, NM. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Michael Mriz and Marie “Mary” Santa; siblings Anna Grimes, Michael Mriz Jr., Mary Niehaus, John Mriz, and Will Mriz and her son-in-law Kent Whyte. She is survived by her daughter Helena Whyte, sister Margaret (Bill) Williams, grandchildren Stacey (Johnny) Castro and Kurt Whyte, great grandchildren Cristina Perez, Kristian Whyte and Jacob Castro, and many nieces, nephews and Read More

REBECCA “BECKY” JOHNSON  Sept. 18, 1950 – Dec. 29, 2016

Rebecca “Becky” Johnson died on December 29, 2016 at the age of 66. She was born on September 18, 1950 in Lawrence, Kansas to her parents, William “Bill” Johnson and Delores Johnson who preceded her in death.

During her lifetime she lived in Kansas, New Mexico, Nevada, California and Arizona. She was a member of the last graduating class (1968) from Loretto Academy in Santa Fe, NM. Later she moved to Phoenix, AZ where she began her career as a nurse. She worked for many years as an Oncology nurse demonstrating great compassion and dedication Read More

WARREN DELANO HOUGHTELING Jan. 8, 2017

Warren Delano Houghteling was someone who didn’t do small talk. He liked passion, honesty, and cared deeply. He had just attained the notable age of fifty when his heart succumbed. He died on Jan 8th, 2017, while he was exercising “the hounds”, enjoying a hike, one of the things he loved to do.

Warren was known for his love of theater, and in another life, he would have been a career actor. Instead he was a teacher, handyman, software developer, and computer programmer. His greatest job, challenge, and achievement was being a father. He gave it everything Read More

RALPH L. PHELPS Jan. 8, 2017

Ralph L. Phelps died on January 8, 2017, at age 71. He is survived by Linda H. Phelps, his wife of 44 years, and his children, Dr. Joshua Phelps of Ogden, Utah, and Jennifer Phelps of Boulder, Colorado.

Ralph was a nuclear engineer and spent his professional career in management and engineering for nuclear power plants in Connecticut, California and Nebraska. During this time he also served on numerous industry committees.

Even though originally from New York, Ralph was a bona fide New Mexican. His attachment to the state began with his being stationed at Kirtland Air Read More

CLARE HOLLINGWORTH Oct. 10, 1911 – Jan. 10, 2017

Clare Hollingworth died Jan. 10, 2017 in Hong Kong at the age of 105. She was an English journalist and author who was the first war correspondent to report the outbreak of World War II, described as “the scoop of the century”.

As a reporter for The Daily Telegraph in 1939, while travelling from Poland to Germany she spotted and reported German forces massed on the Polish border; three days later she was the first to report the German invasion of Poland.

Hollingworth was born in Knighton, a southern suburb of Leicester, the daughter of Daisy and Read More

MICHAEL E. LAZARUS March 25, 1939 – Oct. 31, 2016

Michael E. Lazarus passed away at his home in Los Alamos on October 31, 2016.

Michael was born on March 25, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York to Charles and Lottie Lazarus. He graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School and received a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His lifelong interest in chemistry was sparked when he was given a chemistry set for his 10th birthday. He and his wife Gloria moved to Los Alamos in 1968 where he spent the rest of his career with Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Michael Read More

JEAN FURNISH Dec. 25, 1924 – Dec. 24, 2016

Jean Furnish, 91, was born on Christmas Day, 1924 and ended this earthly life on Christmas Eve, 2016.

She was born in Schenectady NY, and lived in Los Alamos from 1950-1954, and from 1959 to now. From 1954 through 1958 she worked at Stanford Research Institute in California where she met and married her husband Alfred.

In addition to her family, she devoted time and energy to the choir at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church, choral music, and piano. Hiking, sailing, and skiing with her family were important, and she had a love for puzzles and mysteries.

She Read More

STUART WAGEMAN June 15, 1955 – Dec. 29, 2016

Stuart Wageman, 61, beloved son and brother, passed away of a cardiac event on December 29, 2016. He entered this world on June 15, 1955, in Nebraska City, Nebraska.

He is survived by his parents Carol and Bill Wageman; sister Leslie Linke; brother Steven Wageman (Shelly); nephews Nick Linke, Kevin Linke, David Linke, and Daniel Wageman; and niece Yvonne Wageman.

Stuart’s passions were simple but genuine. He deeply adored his family and pets, and delighted in improvement projects all around his home. Stu was an avid fan of the Nebraska Read More

MARJORIE WEBSTER WILSON Dec. 16, 2016

Marjorie Webster Wilson, 88, a resident of Los Alamos, passed away on Friday, December 16, 2016. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Ruth Norris Webster. 

Marge attended Central High School in Tulsa and graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa in 1949 with a degree in History. She met her husband Kenneth at Grinnell and they moved to Los Alamos in 1951 where they raised their family. Marge was employed by the Los Alamos National Laboratory for 20 years as a technical editor in ESS division. She retired from the Lab in 1991.

She was an active member Read More

WALTER P. WOLFF Dec. 29, 2016

On December 29, after a long struggle with cancer and in home hospice care Walter P. Wolff died with family members around him.

Walt was born in 1928 to Edythe and Walter F. Wolff in Goodland, Kansas. He graduated from Sherman County High School in 1946, joined the Navy where he attended Naval Electronic School and was assigned to Destroyer Duty in the Pacific as an Electronic Technician. After discharge in 1948 he entered the University of Notre Dame but in 1951 was recalled into the Navy to serve in the Korean War. That same year he married Marilyn Jones in Goodland and Read More

M. MAXINE (MAX) RITTER March 7, 1929 – Nov. 8, 2016 and JAMES A. RITTER June 14, 1927 – Dec. 11, 2016

M. Maxine (Max) Ritter peacefully went to her Lord in Heaven early Tuesday morning, November 8, 2016 in Harlingen, Texas. She was 87.

James A. Ritter joined his wife of 66 years, Maxine, early Sunday evening, December 11, 2016 in Harlingen, Texas.  He was 89.

Maxine was born March 7, 1929, in Gerster, MO then spent most of her younger years in Kansas. She worked as a nurse for many years in Colorado then Albuquerque and at Los Alamos Medical Center before she joined Jim as business owner Read More

MARVIN V. HARLOW, JR. – Dec. 25, 2016

Marvin V. Harlow, Jr., passed away Sunday, December 25, 2016 after a short illness.

He was a longtime resident of White Rock, New Mexico. He was retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory where he was a scientific staff member.

Services will be held at a later date. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Marvin’s name be made to Habitat for Humanity, 121 Habitat Street, Americus, GA 31709-3498 or to a Charity of your Choice.

The Family of Marvin V. Harlow Jr. has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Read More