Obituaries

Bobbie Don Harmon

Bobbie Don Harmon

Feb 8, 2026

Bobbie Don “BD” Harmon, a respected New Mexico horseman known for his grit on the track and vibrant spirit off it, passed away on February 8, 2026, in Ruidoso, New Mexico, at the age of 69.

Born in Raton, NM with an inherited passion for racing. BD's career included jockeying from 1976 - 2009 and acting as jockey agent 2009 through...

Sofia G. Peso

Sofia G. Peso

Feb 3, 2026

Sofia G. Peso, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on February 3, 2026, in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Born on November 5, 1942, in Tularosa, New Mexico, Sofia touched the lives of many in her community with her nurturing spirit and unwavering kindness.

For over twenty years, Sofia dedicated herself to the Mescalero Apache Tribe, serving as the Center...

Eddi Valenzuela

Eddi Valenzuela

Jan 28, 2026

Eddi Noris Valenzuela was born on May 6th, 1985, to his mother Maria Valenzuela and his father Jose Angel Valenzuela. He attended Hondo Valley Public School where he met and married his high school sweetheart Angelica Valenzuela welcoming a son, Nathaniel Valenzuela and a daughter, Aaliyah Valenzuela and later in life being blessed with the opportunity to provide nurture in...

Phyllis Ann (Chupco) Platta

Phyllis Ann (Chupco) Platta

Jan 19, 2026

Phyllis Ann (Chupco) Platta, a beloved educator and cherished member of her community, passed away on January 19, 2026, at the age of 71. Born on April 5, 1954, Phyllis dedicated her life to nurturing and uplifting the minds of countless students during her remarkable 35-year career as a teacher at Mescalero Apache Schools.

Described by all who knew her as...

Jesus Cadena

Jesus Cadena

Jan 19, 2026

Jesus R. Cadena "Jesse", age 84 of Ruidoso Downs, NM, passed away at his home on Monday January 19, 2026.

Jesse was born on August 6, 1941, in Presidio, TX to Manuel Cadena and Consuelo Ramirez Cadena, he spent 67 years as the loving husband to his teenage sweetheart Isabel (Garcia) Cadena, together they had 5 children Jesse G. Cadena...

Christopher "Chris" Sidney Berryhill

Christopher "Chris" Sidney Berryhill

Jan 14, 2026

Christopher Sidney Berryhill was born on December 10, 1966. Chris was a believer, a first-born son to Robert and Betty Berryhill, a brother to three, a cousin to dozens, a nephew, a husband to Jami, a father to Travis, Wyatt, Nate and George, a grandfather to Sawyer and Riley, to Violet and Evelyn, to Carson, Lincoln, Payette and Canyon, to...

Marvin Roberts

Marvin Roberts

Jan 10, 2026

Marvin Bryan Roberts passed away January 10, 2026 at the age of 89. He is preceded in death by his wife, Norma and survived by sister, Victoria Deuel; niece, Dena (David) Mackey, and great nephew Reid Mackey. 

Marvin was born on January 5, 1937, in South Gate, California. After graduating from high school he enlisted in the Air Force. During this...

George Booher

George Booher

Jan 8, 2026

Olan Booher was born in Ruidoso, New Mexico, to Odis and Lorene Booher, who preceded him in death. He was one of six children and is survived by his sister, Faye Burch of Ignacio, Colorado, and Cousin Martha Oldaker of Roswell, New Mexico.

Olan married Glenda Booher (of Capitan) in January of 1966 in Plainview, Texas. Together, they raised four children....

Hazel Miller

Hazel Miller

Jan 7, 2026

Hazel Verne Miller passed away peacefully at her home in Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, on January 7, 2026.Hazel was born on March 2, 1927, in Phoenix, Arizona, to Leslie Trice and Josephine Hope Gordon Trice. She was the eldest of two children. A gifted student, Hazel graduated as valedictorian of Las Cruces High School in 1944 and earned the highest...

Francis Rocha

Francis Rocha

Dec 31, 2025

Francis John Rocha, affectionately known by family and friends as "Babe," passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025, in Alamogordo, NM. He was surrounded by the love of his family at Christus Health-Advanced Wound Care. Babe was a beloved spouse, father; grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. His humble heart and humorous honesty touched the lives of many.

Born on July...

Lisa (Sissy) Farran

Lisa (Sissy) Farran

Dec 31, 2025

Melissa Gayle Townley, commonly known as Lisa or Sissy to many family and friends, was born on June 10, 1958 in Portales, New Mexico to Lela Jo and Samuel H. Townley. Her family moved to Capitan, New Mexico in 1972. Lisa had many passions but above all else she put her family first. She had a great passion and love...

Sharlene Glossop

Sharlene Glossop

Dec 21, 2025

Sharlene Glossop, a beloved soul, was born on September 11, 1962, and departed this world on December 21, 2025. For 22 remarkable years, Sharlene dedicated her life to serving as a slot attendant supervisor at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, where her work ethic shone brightly and earned her the utmost respect from her colleagues and guests alike.

As a...

Elissa Phillips

Elissa Phillips

Dec 19, 2025

Elissa Mae Phillips, 92, of Lincoln, New Mexico, passed away peacefully at her home on her 92nd birthday, December 19, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Born December 19, 1933, in Lake Arthur, New Mexico, to Ben and August Frazier, Elissa developed lifelong passions for music and art. A blind date arranged by her Dexter high school classmate Joe Duran...

Weaver Marion Ballard

Weaver Marion Ballard

Dec 15, 2025

Weaver "Butch" Marion Ballard passed away on December 15, 2025. A full obituary will be published at a later date.

Winston Cochise

Winston Cochise

Dec 4, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Winston Brien Cochise, who left us on December 4, 2025, at the age of 55. Born on August 13, 1970, in Mescalero, New Mexico, Winston was a proud member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, where he spent his life making lasting connections and sharing his talents with those around...

Socorro Romero

Socorro Romero

Dec 1, 2025

Socorro nació el 27 de junio de 1941 en el Rancho El Sauz, municipio de San Francisco de Borja, en el estado de Chihuahua, México. Fue hijo de Severiano Romero y Rosalía Martínez, y hermano de Avelino y Lidia. Su niñez estuvo marcada por tiempos difíciles; a los 13 años sufrió la pérdida de su padre. Debido a la vida...

Cynthia Kae Lynch

Cynthia Kae Lynch

Nov 29, 2025

Cindy was born at Black Hills Army Depot in Igloo, South Dakota, on January 29, 1951, to Arthur Hoffer and Clara M Hoffer (nee Adam). She was greeted by older brother Wayne R Hoffer and older sister, Peggy L Hoffer. She also later had a younger sister, Jacqueline Rae Smith (nee Hoffer). She was proud of her family, sister-in-law, Debbie,...

Arthur Ross

Arthur Ross

Nov 26, 2025

Arthur Denis Ross, age 83, took his final breath peacefully on November 26, 2025, in Dallas, Texas. Arthur was born on September 1, 1942 in New York, New York. Art's parents, Arthur C. Ross and Regina I. Ross, moved the family to Texas when Art was a young boy. After graduating from Bryan Adams High School, he proudly served his...

Lowell Smith

Lowell Smith

Nov 17, 2025

Lowell Martine Smith Jr., a dedicated family man, cherished law enforcement officer, and proud veteran, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2025, at the age of 77, in Lincoln, NM. Born on April 28, 1948, in Roswell, NM, Lowell lived a life rich in love, service, and passion.

Lowell proudly served his country in the United States Army, enlisting in 1966...

Pete Salas Jr.

Pete Salas Jr.

Nov 16, 2025

Pete Salas Jr., born on May 6, 1968, peacefully passed away on November 16, 2025. He was a man whose warmth and generosity made a lasting impression on everyone he encountered. Pete never knew a stranger; he had a unique gift for making friends with everyone he met, and his vibrant presence lit up any gathering.

Known for being the life...