In Memoriam …
Jean Helen Walpole Cowden, 80, passed away at home on December 10, 2012, with her family at her side. Jean was born in Rock Valley, Iowa on June 2, 1932 to Mildred and Leslie J Walpole. She is survived by daughters Christy Cowden Brown (husband, Matthew) and Patricia Cowden Shanklin (husband, Souli); son Samuel Eugene Cowden (wife, Kathy Spreen). nine grandchildren, one great-granddaughter Saige Clarice Shanklin and many special friends and caregiver Dorothy Romero. Jean graduated from Santa Rosa High School in 1950 and attended the University of New Mexico. She married Guy Tom Cowden in December 1952. They made their home and raised their family on Cowden Ranch. She was a member of the United Methodist Church and devoted much time and energy to the development and maintenance of the Evergreen Cemetery. Jean was involved in every aspect of the family ranching business. She was Rooster’s right hand woman for 42 years. Jean was an avid gardener and enjoyed having pretty flowers on her porch, particularly in her later years.
Roy Dale Gallaher, 75, Magdalena, passed away on December 9, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on December 16, 1936 in Freer, Texas to Roy Franklin and Lorraine (Bailey) Gallaher. He was raised in Albuquerque and attended Albuquerque High. He was the quarterback and became a leader in the ROTC. Instead of accepting scholarships offered, Dale chose to marry the love of his life, Mary K and lead the cowboy life. He started as a ranch hand for Albert Harrington on the T.X. Ranch and Mary K was hired as a cook making $300 a month. He eventually was able to purchase his own ranch and go into business for himself. Dale enjoyed trading cars, guns, houses, ranches, cattle and airplanes. Dale was an avid pilot and was known for his Cessna 195 Taildragger airplanes. Dale played the drums for Glen Campbell in his early days and he could also play several other instruments and enjoyed singing, and especially dancing with Mary K. His wife of 47 years. Dale is survived by his children, Bill Gallaher; Gail Armstrong (husband, Dale); Lynn Major (husband, Randell); and Dan Gallaher; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many other loving family members. Mary K waited only 20 days for him to join her for one last dance. A guy truly can die of a broken heart.
Adolfo Sanchez, 94, Belen, went to be with his loving wife Nancy and God on December 14, 2012. He was born March 25, 1918 on a farm in Jarales and was a resident of Pueblitos. He attended the first public school in Valencia County. He was valedictorian in 8th grade. After high school he worked for the Farm Service Agency assisting farmers and ranchers with projects. This encouraged him to go to NMSU where as a proud Aggie he was drafted to the Army. Adolfo traveled the world on the USS Taos which led him to Hiroshima seven days after the bombing. Upon return he started his career for Health and Human Services. By retirement he was the Director of Valencia and Torrance County. Retired he was back to his dreams of farming and enjoyed his family. Adolfo was a proud father and grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a strong leader in the community. Adolfo is survived by his daughter, Joan (husband, Max) Romero; sons, Dr. Roland K. Sanchez (wife, Elia), Adolph P. Sanchez (wife, Kathy), Fred Sanchez (wife, Therese); 18 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Orlando and Bernice Sanchez.
Ronald Alfred Christensen, 78, Payson, Arizona, passed away on November 29, 2012 after a short battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was born January 14, 1934 to Christen Jens and Florence Clark Christensen and was raised in the St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin area. While in high school started a business picking up milk from farmers and delivering to the creamery. Ron was drafted into the U.S. Army in February 1957 and served eight years. He moved to Payson in October 1982 where he and his wife owned and operated Tonto Books ’n T-Shirts and Tonto Silkscreen for seven years. Ron became interested in serving the people of Gila County and ran for District One Supervisor where he served for 16 years. He was a key member of the Arizona/New Mexico Coalition of Counties. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Clarice; two sons, Stephen, (wife, Karen Percell), Payson, and Kevin (wife, Diane Ramey), Couer D’Alene, Idaho and four grandchildren.
Daniel Vance Fralie, 76, Animas, passed away peacefully at home from a hard fought battle with mesothelioma on December 9, 2012. He was born January 26, 1935 in Douglas, Arizona to AH Fralie and Florence Fralie. He is survived by his wife of 60 years Shirley, his son Wayne (wife, Louise) Animas, his daughter Vickie Crosby (husband, Bing) Park City, Utah, his son Ernie (wife, Bev) Animas, six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Stella M. Wood, 88, Animas resident passed away on December 10, 2012 at her home. She was born on January 10, 1924 in La Mesa.
Speaker Ben Lujan, 77, Nambe, passed away on December 18, 2012 with his loving family by his side at CHRISTUS St. Vincent’s Hospital. Ben was born to Nestora and Celedon Lujan on July 12, 1935. His father was a sheepherder and was one of the first laborers recruited for the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos. Ben grew up in humble beginnings in the Nambe Valley where the original home built by his father remains an intimate part of the family home. Ben attended St. Michael’s and Pojoaque High Schools. It was there in Pojoaque that he met his sweetheart who would become his lifelong companion Carmen. He was a basketball player and she was a cheerleader. After graduating from high school, he started college. That short-lived dream of becoming the first college graduate in his family forced him into the workforce, and he began his career as an ironworker, which he continued until the day he retired. Ben followed his passion to be in the service of others, which was central to his core values and upbringing. He was elected to the Santa Fe County Commission in 1970. In 1974, Ben was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives. He is the only member of the House to serve all three leadership positions, Majority Whip, Majority Floor Leader and became the second longest Speaker of the House. He is survived by his wife, Carmen; daughters, Shirley and Jackie (husband, Marvin); sons, Jerome (wife, Johnell) and Ben Ray; nine grandchildren; a great-grandson; brothers, Felix (wife, Vera) and Ernesto (wife, Carrie); sister, Matilda; sister-in-law, Celia; and many other family and friends.
Tony Lama, Jr. was born in El Paso, Texas, on August 31, 1931. Tony graduated from El Paso High School in 1950, where he was an All District football player. He attended New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell and graduated from Texas Western College in 1954. He served in the US Army and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. Tony was a natural in the boot business and under his leadership Tony Lama boots became a world renowned name. His custom boots were worn by many U.S. presidents and celebrities. Tony served on numerous boards and was civically active in El Paso throughout his life, receiving numerous honors including the Sun Country Section PGA Amateur of the Year Award, Humanitarian of the Year Award from national Jewish Hospital and Research Center, and recognition awards from the National Shrine Hospitals for crippled and burned children. His life was inspirational and touched many. He is survived by his wife Patricia Lama, Melissa Lama, Catherine and Craig Hyatt, Steven and Molly Lama, Stuart and Dannah Meyers, Mark and Dori Fenenbock, and Dawn Keim. Tony had an unfailing sense of humor and ongoing optimism that will be missed by all those whose life is made richer by knowing him.
Annie Merle Boyd Harlan, 81, Eunice, passed away on November 12, 2012, at Trust Point Rehab Hospital in Lubbock. Annie was born on May 4, 1931, in Wink, Texas, to James Elmar Henderson and Maude Estelle (Weaver) Henderson. She lived in Eunice all her life. She married Fred Boyd on August 14, 1950. He passed away in 1988. She then went on to marry Charles E. Harlan on January 23, 1999. She was a homemaker, and an active member of the Church of Christ in Eunice. She is survived by her husband, Charles; her son, James Irvin Boyd (wife, Shirley), Eunice; her two sisters, Imogene Rodgers, Hobbs, and Hazel Cherry, Winter, Texas; one brother, Roy Tabb, Lubbock; two grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Editor’s Note: Please send In Memoriam announcements to: Caren Cowan, N.M. Stockman, P.O. Box 7127, Albuquerque, NM 87194, fax: 505/998-6236 or email: caren@aaalivestock.com. Memorial donations may be sent to the Cattlegrowers’ Foundation, a 501(c)3, tax deductable charitable foundation serving the rights of ranch families and educating citizens on governmental actions, policies and practices. Cattlegrowers Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 7517, Albuquerque, NM 87194.