Obituaries

WAYNE ALLEN TAYLOR Taylor July 29, 1954 – May 7, 2024

Wayne Allen Taylor, 69, was a beloved father, husband, brother, and uncle. He was globally known for his capabilities as a scientist and was a talented outdoorsman. Above all he valued family, he would often claim the wellbeing and health of his family had the utmost priority to him.

As a scientist he won many awards and accolades for his work with the Los Alamos National Laboratory as a radio chemist. Between patents and distinguished performance awards, he became a well-known scientist and was even involved in the Russian exchange program at Read More

NITA VIJAYA ESTHER DAVID Jan. 2, 1942 – May 17, 2024

Born in pre-independence India on January 2, 1942, Nita Vijaya Esther David (nee Jesudian) was the middle of the seven children of Frederick Jesudian and Nellie Jesudian (nee Azariah). Nita committed her life to Jesus at the age of thirteen after reading a tract she found lying at home and never wavered in her faith, passing on to Him on May 17, 2024, in Los Alamos, NM.

Nita was born and raised in Bombay (Mumbai) in India, surrounded by loving parents and siblings, a host of fun, and deep faith. She attended Queen Mary High School and learned how to play Read More

MICHAEL GERARD GURULÉ Feb. 6, 1962 – May 19, 2024

Michael Gerard Gurulé (Mike), age 62, was born in Durango, Colorado on February 6, 1962, to the late Hernando Michael Gurulé and Rosalie Victoria Martinez Gurulé as the youngest of five siblings. In 1974, he moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico where he graduated from Los Alamos High School, class of 1980. Around 1988, he moved to Rio Rancho where he decided to make his home.

Mike had a loving community around him and where he worked. He started at Albertson’s in 1986 and retired in 2023. He deeply demonstrated a servant’s heart by exuding compassion and kindness Read More

BARBARA (TYNAN) BOLDRIN February 1947 – May 22, 2024

Barbara (Tynan) Boldrin. Born February 1947 died May 22, 2024. She was born to William and Elizabeth Tynan in Ft. Worth, Texas. The family moved to Los Alamos in 1952.

She graduated Los Alamos High in 1965 then moved to Seattle, Washington to attend college, then Nursing School, eventually ending her working career working for Blue Cross managing the Microsoft account.

After retirement Barb moved back to Los Alamos in 2015 to live with her sister Sheryl. They were raised golfing, and really enjoyed the Los Alamos course, fellow golfers and county Read More

SAMUEL ERIC ELSON May 10, 2024

Samuel Eric Elson, 30, passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on May 10, 2024, at Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He was the loving husband of Sonja Lee Elson (nee Smith), having shared 7 (almost 8) years of marriage together.

Born and raised in Los Alamos, New Mexico, he was the son of Jean Sanzo (nee LaFauce) and Jay Elson. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 2012 and then went on to graduate from New Mexico State University with both a bachelor’s degree (2016) and a master’s degree (2017) in Mechanical Engineering. Samuel was employed Read More

MERLE DEAN KOEPKE June 24, 1935 – May 5, 2024

Merle Dean Koepke, 88, of Los Alamos, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on May 5, 2024. Merle was born on June 24, 1935, in Junction City, Kansas, to the late Genevieve and Werner Koepke.

Upon graduation from high school, Merle followed his older brother’s lead and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he proudly served as a first-class electrician on a destroyer for four years.

Merle married Carolyn Harrison upon his honorable discharge from the Navy and obtained a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. Upon completion of Merle’s EE degree, he took a job in Los Alamos. Read More

RONALD J. POULTON (RON) – Nov. 14, 1942 – May 10, 2024

Ronald J. Poulton (Ron), age 81, passed away surrounded by his family in White Rock, New Mexico on Friday, May 10, 2024, after a 9-year battle with cancer caused by Agent Orange exposure during his service in the Vietnam War.

Ron was born in Vineland, New Jersey on November 14, 1942, to the late George and Barbara (Kantz) Poulton and raised in Bridgeton, New Jersey by his single mother and later with his stepfather, Frank Schaffer (both deceased).

He joined the U.S. Air Force at seventeen and served for over 26 years. He served 14 of those years overseas Read More

MARLENE HENINS May 11, 2024

Marlene Henins (McClure) passed away in the early hours of Saturday, May 11, 2024.

Marlene was born in rural Roosevelt, Oklahoma to Clara (Newton) and Herman McClure. She was the eldest girl in a family of 7 kids and as such, she helped her mother manage a household.

She graduated as the valedictorian of her small high school class and after college, met the love of her life, Ivars Henins. Ivars and Marlene married on June 8 of 1960, and after completing his PhD in Physics at Johns Hopkins, they moved to Los Alamos, where they adopted and raised three children. 

Marlene served Read More

LOUIS ‘LOUIE’ MORRISON April 19, 1940 – May 5, 2024

Louis “Louie” Morrison passed away peacefully at home on Sunday May 5, 2024.  

Louie was born in Dobbs Ferry, New York on April 19, 1940, to Mary (Tuohy) and Chester Morrison. He grew up on the Hudson River in the Village of Irvington, NY where he graduated from Irvington High School in 1957 and Westchester Community College in White Plains, NY in 1960, with an AAS in mechanical technology.

In 1961 he joined the US Navy and after completing initial submarine school courses, was assigned to the USS TORSK for his first duties. During his Navy tenure, Read More

LEONA MAE CARTER WALTON May 2, 1938 – March 22, 2024

Leona Mae Carter Walton, passed into the arms of her Savior on March 22, 2024, in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was born at her family’s homestead in Mills County, Texas to John Ralph and Lillian Leona Carter on May 2, 1938. The youngest of 10 children, Leona grew up in a time of poverty, drought and war. With the love and support of her family and community, she thrived and graduated from the University of Texas, Austin in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and taught both 6th and 8th grade. 

Through long distance letters, she and a childhood Read More