Obituaries

MARCELLA S. LOCKHART Aug. 14, 2023

Marcella S. Lockhart, 88, left this earth peacefully in the early morning hours of August 14, 2023.

Mom was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM, the oldest of 6 kids. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1953. After high school she went to work for the District Court Probation office for 11 years.  

While in Albuquerque she met her sweetheart, got married and within two years moved to Los Alamos, NM. In 1966 mom and dad had a house built and adopted me. They moved to White Rock, NM where she began a new adventure. While being a stay at home mom, she enjoyed her church, Read More

CARLTON SMITH Feb. 1975 – Aug. 6, 2023

Carlton Smith (aka Messy Mervin), a talented and passionate chef, has left us after a courageous battle with a lifelong struggle with substance and alcohol abuse. He passed away Aug. 6, 2023 at the young age of 48. 

Born Feb. 22, 1975 in Chicago, Illinois, Carlton was a gifted individual who found his true calling in the culinary arts. His creativity and dedication shined in every dish he crafted, bringing joy and delight to countless palates. He started his culinary journey through his father Floyde’s passion of cooking and catering. He quickly rose to prominence, Read More

CHARLES HAROLD DAVIS April 14, 1942 – Aug. 11, 2023

Charles Harold Davis was born on April 14, 1942, to his parents Harold and Dora Amelia Davis. He passed away with his children by his side on Friday, August 11, 2023, to join his wife of over 52 years, Suzanne.

Charles was raised in San Diego, California with his younger sister, Sharon. Growing up he participated in football, rugby, track, wrestling, Boy Scouts, and also played the accordion. He graduated from Hoover High School in 1960. After 1 year of college, he joined the United States Army. He served 3 tours in Vietnam in the 5th and 6th Special Read More

MARSHA HELEN HARRIS CROOK March 3, 1952 – Aug. 17, 2023

Marsha Helen Harris Crook passed away Aug. 17, 2023. She was born to Margaret and Stanley Harris of Clovis, NM, where she grew up and graduated from Clovis High School. During her youth, Marsha was active in choir all through school, where she sang in the Women’s Barbershop Quartet and was a dedicated member of the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. She was a Past Worthy Advisor of Clovis Rainbow Assembly #8.

Marsha fell in love with, and married her DeMolay Beau, Rex Crook on August 10, 1971, and they celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary Read More

LAWRENCE FOSS 1950 – Aug. 10, 2023

Lawrence Foss (born 1950) died the night of August 10, 2023. He remains vividly alive to us all in our hearts. 

Few people in this world can give more happy memories. We remember the sad times too, such as the Paradise Fire when he and his wife Leslie lost their home and Larry’s lifetime of artwork. Larry’s art and life was full of beauty, humor and adventure. This he showed even in adversity. A button he wore said “it’s never too late to have a happy childhood!”  

As a boy he had a hard life under a father who was an abusive alcoholic gambler who later could not comment when Read More

CHRISTOPHER ALAN LANDT Dec. 24, 1966 – Aug. 14, 2023

It is with deep sorrow that the family of Christopher Alan Landt shares the news of his sudden passing Aug. 14, 2023 at the age of 56 in Las Cruces, NM.

Christopher was born on Christmas Eve in 1966 at Rapid City, South Dakota. At the age of 6 months, his family moved to California, then to Los Alamos, New Mexico in 1975. He graduated from Los Alamos High School in 1985 and then enrolled in NMSU. From a young age he displayed remarkable creativity including computer animation, photography, storytelling and other creative activities. He enjoyed many Read More

ALTON JAMES GRAY Aug. 17, 1940 – Aug. 11, 2023

Alton James (Jim) Gray passed peacefully Aug. 11, 2023, surrounded by his children after a brief but valiant fight with cancer.

Jim was born Aug. 17, 1940, in Reading, Pennsylvania to John and Stella Gray. Jim was the youngest son of seven children.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, four brothers, and mother of his children Rose Gray.

Jim is survived by his companion of 36 years Karen Collier, his children Michael (Jeanette) Gray, Melanie (Scott) McDuffie, and Neal Gray, grandchildren Terrance (Mindy) Gray, Jon Gray, Laureen Trujillo, Read More

DANIEL CARLOS VALDEZ SR May 2, 1924 – Aug. 4, 2023

Daniel Carlos Valdez Senior of Los Alamos, New Mexico passed away on Friday, August 4, 2023, at the age of 99. After several months of declining health, Daniel died peacefully in his sleep at Sombrillo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Daniel was born in Antonito, Colorado on May 2, 1924, to Andres Valdez and Petronila Martinez. He was the youngest of ten children. After graduating from Antonito High School in 1943, Daniel studied for the priesthood at the Passionist Preparatory Junior College, in St. Louis, MO, but had to withdraw due to illness. Read More

KENNETH ALAN KOZACEK Jan. 4, 1950 – July 25, 2023

Kenneth Alan Kozacek went to be with the Lord Jesus on July 25, 2023. A remembrance will be held on September 9 at 11:00 am at Christ Church, 1213 Don Gaspar Avenue (At Cordova Road), Santa Fe, NM 87505.

Ken was born on January 4, 1950, to Floyde (Bill) and Josephine (Jo) Kozacek in Denver, CO, and lived in the Aurora area for 60 years, where he retired as a Maintenance Supervisor. After encouragement from his son Adam and daughter-in-law Adrienne, Ken decided to move to Los Lunas. Not long after settling in Los Lunas, Ken met Marlene Williams, and after Read More

PAUL R. CROWE III Jan. 19, 1959 – Aug. 9, 2023

Paul R. Crowe III, age 64, a long-time resident of Las Cruces, passed away fighting Esophagus Cancer on Wednesday, August 9, 2023.

Paul was born to Paul R. Crowe II and Evelyn (La Roche) Crowe in Wheeling, West Virginia on January 19, 1959. Paul lived in different places around the country like so many military families. The family settled in Las Cruces, New Mexico in 1972 and he graduated from Mayfield high in 1977. 

After finishing High School he moved to Ohio and worked in the coal mines. He then decided to serve his country in the US Army with a stint in Germany. Read More