Obituaries for San Miguel County, NM Name of Deceased: Ernest Apodaca Submitters Name: Barbara Tapia Bond Obit: Apodaca -- Ernest Apodaca, 86, a well known and lifelong resident of Las Vegas, New Mexico, passed away Sunday, May 17, 1998. Ernest was preceded in death by his father, Melecio Apodaca and mother, Francisca Miera; son, Eugene Gilbert; and grandson, Lawrence Dee Thomas. He is survived by his wife, Pita Apodaca of the family home in Las Vegas; sons, Mariano Phil Apodaca and wife, Mickey of Corrales, NM, and Francisco Apodaca and wife, Lisa of Las Vegas, NM; daughters, Katherine"Kay" Thomas and husband, Alvin of Santa Fe and Kristine"Kooch" Jacobus and husband, Guy of Albuquerque; sister, Nestora Fitzgerald and husband, Stafford of Lakewood, CA; brothers, Joe Apodaca, Lawrence Apodaca, Jack Apodaca, Michael Apodaca, and Arthur Apodaca, all of Los Angeles, CA; special relative and friend, Manuel Flores of Abeline, TX. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Mr. Apodaca retired from the New Mexico State Highway Dept. In 1983, after 42 years of service, the last six of which he was District 4 Engineer in Las Vegas, NM. He was a State of New Mexico Registered Professional Engineer. He was a member of B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge #408, where he was a life member and past Exalted Ruler and also served as a Trustee with the state association. Ernest was a regular customer for morning coffee at the Hillcrest Restaurant in Las Vegas, where he met with friends. A memorial Rosary will be recited Thursday, May 21, 1998, 7:00 p.m., at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church in Las Vegas. A memorial Mass will be celebrated by Father DeFazio on Friday, May 22, 1998 at 10:00 a.m., also at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. A private interment will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Ernest Apodaca Memorial Scholarship Fund in c/o the First National Bank in Las Vegas, NM. Arrangements are under the direction of Nelson Funeral Home, 425-6551, Las Vegas, NM. ©2008 Genealogy Trails