Obituaries

THOMAS (TOM) WILLIAM NELSON April 22, 1959 – Jan. 18, 2021

It is with sadness and budding peace, that our family shares the passing of Thomas (Tom) William Nelson.

In the early morning of January 18, 2021, the Jemez Mountains lost a friend. Thomas (Tom) William Nelson, born on April 22, 1959, loved those mountains. Tom grew up in Los Alamos and graduated from Los Alamos High School in the class of 1977. He attended New Mexico State University.

After college, Tom was called back to Los Alamos and the healing of the Jemez Mountains, where he and his first wife, Annette, decided to get married and build Read More

SECUNDINO ‘SEC’ SANDOVAL Jan. 8, 2022

Well known artist and Los Alamos icon Secundino “Sec” Sandoval passed away January 8, 2022 after a short but courageous battle from complications due to COVID-19. He was 88 years old.

He was a man that you can’t describe in just a couple of words. In his tributes and those who knew him described him as: a gentle soul, caring, kind, funny, talented, one of a kind, nicest man I ever met, generous, patient, storyteller, teacher, quiet, always had a smile and a hug for you, mentor, coach, spiritual, sweetest man I ever met, humble and loving. From his son Mark, “he was Read More

JOSEPH LAWRENCE MENZEL Dec. 15, 1923 – Jan. 7, 2022

Joseph Lawrence Menzel passed away at the age of 98, on Friday, January 7, 2022, in his Los Alamos home surrounded by his family.

Joe was born on December 15, 1923, in Dubuque Iowa to Louise Mary Clemens and Joseph F. Menzel, Jr. He enlisted in the Navy in 1944 and fought in World War II serving as a Quartermaster aboard the USS Weeden in the Asiatic-Pacific and the Philippine Liberation. He was honorably discharged in 1946.

He was recruited into the newly formed Protective Force in 1947, as security at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, transferred Read More

DON A. YORK March 21, 1936  – Dec. 5, 2021

Don A. York died peacefully in Rio Rancho, New Mexico Dec. 5, 2021 at the age of 85.

Don is survived by his son Marcus A. York of Albuquerque, NM, his sister-in-law Ginny York of Hannibal, Missouri, his niece Susan Wilson of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, his niece Teresa Corso of Erie, Pennsylvania, his niece Kellee York of Hannibal, MO and by his nephew David Gregory of Hannibal, MO.

Don is preceded in death by his wife Helen L. York of Rio Rancho, NM, his father Ray A. York of Hannibal, MO, his mother Violet M. York of Hannibal, MO, his brother Ray A. York Jr. of Hannibal, Read More

JOHN LOYAL STOKES July 4, 1941 – Dec. 29, 2021

John Loyal Stokes was born in Ogden, Utah on the 4th of July, 1941 to Loyal Child Stokes and Gladys Victoria Stone. The youngest of 5 children and only son, John took on the role of “man of the house” at a very young age after his parents divorced when he was 2 and his father passed away 5 years later.

John graduated from Ben Lomond High School in 1959. He worked very hard to support his family, while also putting himself through college and paying for his church mission to London, England from 1961-1963. In 1966, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Read More

ROBERT FERRELL WELLS April 5, 1938 – Dec. 29, 2021

Robert Ferrell Wells, 83, passed away unexpectedly on December 29, 2021, at his home in Los Alamos, NM, following a short illness.

Born in Bend, Oregon, on April 5, 1938, Robert moved with his family to Anchorage in 1940. During WWII, American soldiers camped out on the family’s homestead on the Kenai Peninsula, and Robert recalled spotting Japanese submarines off the coast and GIs sharing chocolate with him and his younger sister from their K-rations. A self-taught artist, Robert spent countless hours filling sketchbooks with drawings capturing Read More

JAMES P. JORGENSEN Nov. 11, 1939 – Dec. 24, 2021

James P. Jorgensen, age 82, Green Bay, traveled to his final destination Dec. 24, 2021.

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1939, Jim was born to Wallace and Albertha Jorgensen, Green Bay, Wisconsin, the middle child in a blue-collar family of three children, with sister Kathleen and brother Earl.

He attended St. Francis Xavier Cathedral grade school, Premontre High School, and St. Norbert College, before beginning a career in the United States Army.

He married his college sweetheart, Michal Ann Basten, and they had three children: Read More

RANDY PUTT DEAN March 15, 1963 – Dec. 26, 2021

Randy Dean Putt passed away on December 26, 2021 at his home in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Randy was a kind, honest, and exceptionally loyal husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He enjoyed the finer things in life and was quick to share it with his family and friends. He never met a stranger. And if you had the pleasure of knowing Randy, he would always greet you with a gentle smile and a powerful hug.

Randy was born in Roseburg, Oregon on March 15, 1963 to Bobby and Marjorie Putt. He grew up in northern New Mexico with his loving parents, his older brother, Read More

CONSTANCE L’ECUYER NEWELL Feb. 24, 1931– Dec. 29, 2021

Constance L’Ecuyer Newell, 90, of Los Alamos, NM passed away December 29, 2021, peacefully, with family by her side.

She was born to the late Fabian and Hazel L’Ecuyer on February 24, 1931, in Athol, MA. She married the love of her life, Robert H. Newell on April 19, 1952 in Athol and together they had six children.

They lived in California and Massachusetts before settling in Los Alamos, NM in 1964. Once her children were in school, Connie went back to work for Dr. Ann Wadstrom and volunteered at the hospital gift shop.

Connie is survived by her Read More

DONALD DALE DUKE Nov. 23, 1952 – Dec. 15, 2021

Donald Dale Duke passed away with family at his side on Dec. 15, 2021, at age 69 after fighting a long illness.

Duke, as he was lovingly known to friends and family, was born in Tucson, AZ, Nov. 23, 1952. He graduated from the University of Arizona and spent his career troubleshooting and fixing broken things – from copiers to cars to computers – but his first priority was his family. He met his wife, Teresa, at the Bum Steer in 1978 and they spent the next four decades adventuring around the southwest and living life on their own terms.

Duke spent his final years Read More