Obituaries

TAMMY M. THORN Aug. 13, 2018

Tammy M. Thorn, 58, a resident of El Rancho, passed away peacefully on Monday Aug. 13, 2018 surrounded by her loving family. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Ledford and brother, Cecil W. Thorn Jr.

Tammy was a loving and caring person who helped anyone in need. She worked at Los Alamos National Bank for 38 years and made many friends throughout her career. She finished her banking career at New Mexico Bank & Trust.

Tammy was civic minded and served on various boards including the Sombrillo Nursing Facility and Los Alamos Visiting Nurses, just to name a few. Read More

MICHAEL MCKAY Jan. 5, 1944 – Aug. 5, 2018

Michael D. McKay, age 74, died on August 5, 2018 of injuries sustained from a sudden accident.

Michael was born in Temple, Texas to Ida Lucille Camiade and James A McKay Jr. In 1966, he married Patricia Ellison and together they had 3 amazing children (Cynthia, Michael, and Jennifer). After receiving his PhD in Statistics from Texas A&M, they moved to Los Alamos, NM in 1973 where he began his life-long career at the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory.

After retiring from the Lab, Michael volunteered as a set designer and actor with the Los Alamos Little Theater. Read More

ANN RUPPEL Aug. 4, 2018

Ann Ruppel, 82, died in the early morning hours of August 4th, 2018, in Seattle, Washington.

She was born in Hope, Arkansas and attended Radcliffe College, where she met Hans Ruppel. After they married in 1956, she completed a BA in Political Science at George Washington University. In August 1964, following a stint in New Haven, Connecticut, they moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, with their three daughters, Robin, Wendy and Joanna.

Ann was an artist. She had a tremendously intelligent and creative mind, and, as a true Renaissance woman, excelled in a wide range of pursuits. Read More

TOBIN ‘TOBY’ KARL WALTERS July 22, 1954 – Feb. 24, 2018

Toby, geologist, musician, writer, avid fisherman, father, friend, passed away due to complications from heart surgery.

He is survived by his mother, Billie Walters; his daughters, Nicola and Heather; siblings, Leigh, Kurt and Stella; brother-in-law, Rick Krauss; ex-wife, Alison Pannell; plus a large loving family of nieces and nephews; as well as cherished life-long friends.

Please join friends and family Aug. 18 from 4-6 p.m., to share stories, bring a guitar and fill the afternoon in his remembrance. 600 Solar Road NW, Albuquerque, Read More

JULIA (KUSHNER) GAUTHIER March 2, 1925 – July 1, 2018

Julia Gauthier, a long-time resident of Los Alamos, employed in many occupations, a volunteer, and our Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, died in her sleep on 1 July 2018 after a brief battle with cancer. 

Julia was born Julia Kushner in Passaic, New Jersey on 2 March 1925 to Susan and John (Jan) Kushner (Kusnir), then recent immigrants from what is now Slovakia. Julia (Julie) grew up–“a happy childhood”–in Passaic during the Great Depression and went through the Passaic public school system. Julie and her older Read More

LARRY D. CLARK July 29, 2018

Larry D. Clark, 70, a resident of White Rock, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 29, 2018. He was preceded in death by his mother, June Clark.

Larry retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory after 30 years as a machinist. He enjoyed the outdoors and loved camping with his wife Patricia.

Mr. Clark is survived by his wife, Patricia Clark; father, Charles Clark; children, Allen Clark (Elizabeth) of Texas, Jason Clark of California and Ledena also of California; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; brothers, Edward Clark (Pam) and David Clark (Nancy) Read More

GEORGE ALLEN BAKER Nov. 25, 1932 – July 24, 2018

George Allen Baker passed away at home on July 24, 2018. He was born on November 25, 1932 in Alton, IL to George Allen and Grace Elizabeth (Cummins) Baker. He married Elizabeth Ann Coles, September 9, 1956 in Berkeley, CA and she preceded him in death on December 31, 1988. He married Carroll (South) Thomas, November 23, 1990 in Los Alamos, NM.

Mr. Baker is survived by his wife, Carroll; brother, John Baker (Carolyn) of St Charles, IL; three daughters: Connie (Alan Post) of Springfield, IL; Linda (Bruce Kirin) of Pittsburgh, PA; Deborah (Ed Seidewitz) Read More

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RUTH A. CHAVEZ July 8, 1931 – July 30, 2018

Ruth Adelina Chavez, beloved Mother, wife, daughter, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and friend passed away peacefully July 30, 2018 in Los Alamos and is now on to her next journey. 

She will be remembered for her warm smile and zest for life and carrot cake. Ruth worked for Los Alamos Public Schools for over 40 years and was the strong business woman beside her beloved and late husband Max. Residing in Los Alamos for nearly 70 years, and raising 5 kids locally, she was well known and popular. 

She is survived by three sons Abel Chavez of Pueblo, Read More

GRACE LORETTA BONCELLA Dec. 12, 1922 – June 27, 2018

Grace Loretta Boncella passed from this earth peacefully, surrounded by family and friends, on June 27th, 2018.

Grace entered this world, full of life, on December 12, 1922 to Joseph and Emily Petrick.

Always interested in theater, she would later refer to her life as occurring in “Acts”. Her 1st Act, her childhood, was enjoyed in Cleveland, Ohio. Her dad, Joe, was a policeman who worked the night shift. Emily was a huge movie fan, so every Wednesday she would take Grace and, her sister Alice, to the movies after dinner. Thus, began Grace’s love Read More