
Obituaries for Bernalillo County, NM
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Name of Deceased: Pete V. Garcia
Submitter's Name: Mrs. P. V. Garcia
Obit: Pete greatly loved husband for 39 yrs. of Joan. Father of Pete V. III, his wife Kay,
Gordon his wife Tania, his only daughter Tracy Lee her husband Kimble Scott. Two grandsons,
Matthew and Aaron Scott. Pete retired from Greyhound Bus Lines, was a City of Abq. bus driver
at the time of his death. Due to failed brakes and the throttle stuck on the City Bus he was
driving.
Pete enjoyed a fresh cigar, foothball, his Harley Davidson motorcycle, and reading. Pete
always put his wife and family first. Would play the piano to cheer up his wife as her father
had done when she was a child. Pete did have a few lessons as a child which he disliked.
Taking every opportunity to play the piano regardless of the location. Always getting laughs
and applause.
Always happy, walked with a bounce like "Tigger". A couple of weeks away from retiring from
the City and looking forward to returning to Southern Ca. where he enjoyed season tickets to
the Pro Football games. Pete & his wife were members of various genealogy groups. Pete's
father was Pedro de Verona Garcia born in Torreon, NM his mother was Rufina Sedillo born in
Manzano, NM preceded him in death.
Name of Deceased: Lauro Eloy Tapia
Newspaper: Albuquerque Journal
Submitter's Name: Barbara Tapia Bond
Obit: Flores -- Lauro E. Flores, a former resident of Las Vegas, New Mexico, and
a resident of Albuquerque since 1979, passed away on Monday, April 2, 2001. Mr.
Flores was born in La Jara, New Mexico on July 10, 1902. He is preceded in death
by his wife, Chonita A. Flores and daughter, Doris C. Tapia, his parents, Flora
Yerby de Flores and Eugenio, and his sister, Guadalupe Gallegos. Mr. Flores is
survived by sisters, Pauline Sanchez of Albuquerque and Mrs. Ernest (Pita)
Apodaca of Las Vegas; sisters-in-law, Flora Lucero and Pauline Garcia both of
Albuquerque; son-in-law, Lorenzo E. Tapia and wife, Celeste of Albuquerque;
grandchildren, Lauren E. Verroneau, Steven E. Tapia, Denise A. Tapia, Barbara A. Bond,
Annette Wihl and husband, Kurt, Elizabeth A. Mezo and Donald E.
Romero; two great-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, and numerous
nieces and nephews. He was a contractor in Las Vegas, New Mexico until 1979 when
he moved to Albuquerque to be with his daughter, Doris and her family. Mr.
Flores assisted several New Mexico authors in writing historical reviews and
books relating to the history of Las Vegas, New Mexico and Billy the Kid. He
will be remembered as a loving, thoughtful person. A Mass will be celebrated on
Thursday, April 5, 2001, 11:00 a.m. at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum Chapel, 7500
Paseo Del Norte N.E. Friends may visit on Wednesday, April 4, 2001 from 4:00
p.m. -7:00 p.m. at French Mortuary, Wyoming Chapel, 7121 Wyoming Blvd N.E.
Published on: Wed April 04, 2001
Name of Deceased: Steven Eugene Tapia (Roybal)
Newspaper: Albuquerque Journal
Submitters Name: Barbara Tapia Bond
Obit: Tapia -- Steven E. Tapia, 51, beloved brother, uncle and son, was called
home to be with the Lord our Savior on Saturday, October 20, 2001. He is
survived by his father, Lorenzo E. Tapia and wife, Celeste of Albuquerque;
sisters, Lauren E. Veronneau, Annette Wihl and her husband, Kurt, Denise A.
Tapia, Barbara A. Bond, all of Albuquerque and Elizabeth Mezo of Prescott, AZ;
his nephews, Don L. Romero, Tobias L. Martinez, Kendel Copelin and Patrick Wihl;
and nieces, Jolie-Nicole Veronneau, Jaucquelene Copelin, Kelsey Bond and her
father, Gary Bond, Abigail Wihl and Mia Mezo and her father, Clifton Mezo.
Steven was preceded in death by his mother, Doris C. Tapia; and his
grandparents, Chonita and Lauro Flores. He loved and cherished his family and was a wonderful
friend. Steven loved current events and sports, including boxing and wrestling,
as well as being a Harley-Davidson enthusiast. Memorial Rosary will be recited
Tuesday, October 23, 2001, at 7:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd.
Chapel, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, October 24,
2001, at 10:00 a.m., at Church of the Risen Savior, 7701 Wyoming Blvd. NE.
Interment of cremains will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. French Mortuary,
7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE.
Published on: Tue October 23, 2001
Name of Deceased: Lorenzo Eloy Tapia
Newspaper: Albuquerque Journal
Submitters Name: Barbara Tapia Bond
Obit: Tapia -- Lorenzo E. Tapia, 71, a resident of Albuquerque, passed away
suddenly on Friday, November 8, 2002. He is survived by his children, Lauren E. Veronneau, Denise A. Tapia, Barbara A. Tapia Bond, Annette T. Wihl and husband,
Kurt, all of Albuquerque, Elizabeth A. Copelin and Donald Romero from Arizona,
sons-in-law, Gary Bond of Albuquerque and Cliff Mezo of Illinois; grandchildren,
Patrick Wihl, Jolie Veronneau, Abby Wihl, Jackie Copelin, Kendel Copelin, II,
Kelsey Bond, Tobias Martinez, and Mia Mezo; nieces and nephews, Janie Lovato,
Manny Rodriguez, Camile Montoya, Larry Rodriguez, Theresa Padilla, Erminio
Rodriguez and Marsha Rodriguez; and many friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eloy and Avelina "Bele" Tapia, brother, Fernandez
"Fernandito" Tapia, sister, Katalina "Katie" Rodriguez, wife, Doris Tapia, son,
Steve E. Tapia, in-laws, Lauro and Chonita Flores, nephew, Joaquin Rodriguez,
niece Celesia Cruz and son-in-law, Kendel Copelin, I. Lorenzo was a member of
the American Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association and the New
Mexico Trial Lawyers Association. He was a founding member of MALDEF and LULAC.
Lorenzo served his country in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952 and the U.S.
National Guard until 1953, and the Army Reserves from 1953 to 1955 while
attending St. Joseph's College in Albuquerque. He attended New Mexico Highlands
University in Las Vegas, New Mexico from 1955 to 1957. Lorenzo received his J.D.
from American University in 1959. Lorenzo was admitted to practice law in 1959
and achieved the highest score on the bar exam until recently. He was admitted
to practice in the United States Supreme Court. In 1961 he became Chief Counsel
to the Senate Public Works Committee and served on the U.S. Senate Appropriations
Committee. Lorenzo served as a loyal assistant to U.S. Senator Dennis Chavez. He
also organized the VIVA Kennedy Campaign in the Southwest. Lorenzo returned to
New Mexico to practice law and specialized in criminal defense and civil
litigation. He had previously served as Director of the Motor Vehicle
Department. He was deeply loved and will be missed. Burial will take place at
Gate of Heaven Cemetery on Thursday, November 14, 2002, at 2:00 p.m. full
military honors will be provided by D.A.V. Chapter 3. Pallbearers will be
Lorenzo Rodriguez, Erminio Rodriguez, Mannie Rodriguez, Eugene Garcia, Shane
Muth, Manny Medina, Kurt Wihl and Gary Bond. Honorary Pallbearers will be
Patrick Wihl, Christopher Medina, Tobias Martinez, Kendel Copelin, II, and
Adrian Medina. Flowers may be sent to French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE or
memorial contributions may be made to All Faiths Receiving Home, 1709 Moon
Street NE, Albuquerque, 87112.
Name of Deceased: Pita Flora Apodaca
Submitters Name: Barbara Tapia Bond
Obit: APODACA -- Pita Flora Apodaca began a new journey on Sunday January 21,
2007. Pita was a lifelong resident of Las Vegas, NM and was preceded in death by
her father, Eugenio Flores; and mother, Florentina Yerby Flores; by her husband,
Ernesto Apodaca; son, Eugene Gilbert Apodaca; and grandchildren, Lawrence
Thomas, Stephanie Apodaca, and John David Apodaca. Pita was a graduate of New
Mexico Highlands University and was a teacher for the San Miguel County Schools
and the West Las Vegas Schools. Mrs. "A" taught 42 years and touched hundreds of
young student's lives, she would often beam with excitement when former students
would approach her and remember her. Pita always encouraged and saw the
potential in all her students and treated everyone she met with respect and dignity. Pita was proud to be a Nuevo
Mexicana, a Las Vegan and especially proud of her children, grandchildren and
great-grandchildren and would often show pictures and tell of their
accomplishments. Pira is survived by her son, Mariano Apodaca and wife, Mickey
of Corrales, NM; daughter, Kay Thomas and husband, Alvin of Santa Fe, NM;
daughter, Kristine "Kooch" Jacobus and husband, Guy of Albuquerque, NM; and son,
Francisco and special friend, Francie of Los Lunas, NM. She also had nine
grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. The
family would like to thank the staff of Kingston Residence of Santa Fe for the
care and understanding they gave to Pita and the staff of PMS Hospice. Special
thanks to Gracie Olivas who spent many Sunday afternoons with Pita. A Rosary
will be recited at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, January 26, 2007 from the chapel at
Nelson Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Rev. C. John Brasher
at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday January 27, 2007 at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. With respect to Pita's
final wishes, cremation has taken place with interment to take place by her
family at a later time. Serving as pallbearers will be Michael Angel, Phillip
Jacobus, Randy Thomas, David Ernest Thomas, Stephen Apodaca, Sean Apodaca,
Michael Phillip Smith. Honorary pallbearers will be Lawrence Thomas and John
David Apodaca. Arragements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Home, Las
Vegas, NM, 425-6551.
Name of Deceased: John David Apodaca
Obit: APODACA -- John David Apodaca, age 26, passed away Monday, August 1, 2005
of natural causes. He was preceded in death by his sister, Stephanie. John is
survived by his parents, Mariano (Phil), Muriel (Mickey) Apodaca; sister,
Cynthia; maternal grandmother, Muriel N. Medley; paternal grandmother, Pita F.
Apodaca; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews; and very good friend,
Brian. John lived and worked in Pagosa Springs, CO where he loved to fish and
ski. John will always be remembered as an avid soccer fan and fly fisherman. He
was a man who walked along a stream with his beloved dog Leia. Services will be
held Thursday, 10:30 at Chester T. French Memorial Mausoleum Chapel at Sunset
Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial
Park. Friends may visit French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel, Wednesday,
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the
Animal Humane Association of NM, Inc., 615 Virginia SE, 87108. French Mortuary
1111 University Blvd. NE 843-6333

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