Archive for the ‘New Mexico’ Category

Ernest Michael Louis, Jr (’51)

E. MICHAEL LOUIS OBITUARY
On April 29, 2023, Ernest Michael Louis passed from this world. Mike was born on April 11, 1927, in Washington, DC, to Ernest M. and Enola Chew Louis. In 1933, the family moved to Gallup and then Mescalero, NM. Mike spent his youth in Mescalero and spent summers at “the ranch” of an uncle at Pool Creek, land currently encompassed by Dinosaur National Monument in Utah and Colorado. He moved with his mother and stepfather, Neil Burdick, to Eureka, CA, where he finished high school and graduated early to join the Navy. Mike became an Aviation Storekeeper Third Class, spending much of his service time during and after World War II in Hawaii before he was honorably discharged. He earned a BS in Journalism at the University of Houston, which sparked an interest in police work, which led to employment as a police officer in Houston, TX and Albuquerque, NM.

In 1959, Mike married Kathleen (Kac) Cunniff. They raised five children in Albuquerque and Crystal Lake, IL. While his family was growing, Mike earned an MA in Public Administration from the University of New Mexico and in 1971 accepted a position teaching criminal justice at Harper College in Palatine, IL. Mike and Kac returned to New Mexico where he worked in emergency management for the state until retirement. Later, Mike and Kac moved to Kac’s home state of Minnesota and then to Illinois near their son’s family, who welcomed Mike into their community while enabling him to live and travel independently after Kac’s death.

Mike had many interests throughout his life, chief among them was flying. In Albuquerque, the Louis house was a bit odd in that it had an airplane parked in the back yard. That Luscombe flew again after the move to Illinois and his flying continued into his 80s, earning him membership in the United Flying Octogenarians (UFOs). Always expanding his skills, Mike also worked as a surveyor, created a home dark room for his photography, took classes in pottery-making, ballet and aerobics, studied ham radio and the Apache language, and learned to stitch leather for his airplane seats. He was an early adopter of home computers and learned video editing to volunteer at the local PBS station. Mike built additions on two of their homes, once with the assistance of Goofus, a roadrunner who would ride the wheelbarrow to inspect progress. And, if you were lucky enough to eat Luisi spaghetti and Santa Fe style enchiladas prepared by Mike, you were lucky, indeed.

Mike adopted his mother’s passion for genealogy, traveling around the U.S., Canada, and France in pursuit of his roots. Kac and Mike were great road trippers and their wanderlust never faded. Mike was always at home at “the ranch” which changed from Pool Creek, as a child, to another uncle’s ranch near Jensen, UT. He returned there, yearly, into his 90s, to help with spring lambing, and his heart will remain there forever.

Mike was predeceased by his wife; parents; brother, Neal Burdick; brothers-in-law, John (Lois) Cunniff and Gerald (Eleanor) Cunniff; sister-in-law, Jeanne (Roger) Kuchera; and sons-in-law, David Dolan and Conard (Mac) McCarley. He is survived by his brothers David Burdick and Patrick (Karen) Burdick; daughters, Mary Dolan, Margaret Louis, Tracy Slavin, Suzanne McCarley; son, Michael (Sandra) Louis; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at Santa Fe National Cemetery, NM, on a date yet to be determined. Memorial donations may be made to the Mayo Clinic, philanthropy@mayoclinic.org

E. Michael Louis Born: April 11, 1927 in Washington , DC
Died: April 29, 2023 in St. Louis , MO

Published by Legacy Remembers from May 1 to May 4, 2023.

Mr. James Marvin Sims, Jr. (’69)

He was born in Houston on December 22, 1946 to the late James Marvin Sims Sr. and Lucille Geneva Sims (nee Etie). Jim spent his childhood living in Houston and Galveston, where he developed his love for the ocean and sailing. He graduated from Jeff Davis High School and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from the University of Houston. Jim was married to Linda Marie Stoffels on September 2, 1967, and he lived his life for his family, which eventually included three loving children. He enjoyed spending time with his children, reading books with them, teaching them to play sports, card games, and board games, and sharing his love for puzzles. He liked to put the kids to bed, and tell each of them their “nicest quality” for that day. When his son joined the Cub Scouts, Jim became a scout leader. He joined the Catholic Church shortly after marrying Linda, and his religion was one of the most important things in his life. He eventually joined the Knights of Columbus, and became a Eucharistic Minister. He later led the prayer group at St. Ignatius of Loyola in Spring, Texas. Together with his wife, he organized and participated in the adoration service for around ten years, where he was also an incenser. Jim spent most of his professional life at Exxon. He started out working in the mail room while he was in college. After graduating, he joined the Navy in 1970 and proudly served aboard the USS Coral Sea during the Vietnam War. After four years in the service of his country, Jim returned to Exxon working as an accountant. He discovered his passion for computers and became a software developer and database administrator before retiring from the company at age 59. Jim’s gift was making people smile. Whether it be making you say “cheese” while enjoying his hobby of photography or waiting patiently to crack a silly joke or pun. His favorite way to leave a store was to tell the cashier, “Y’all come back and see us again real soon!” It never failed to make the room smile. After retiring, he survived a fight with cancer and was later diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. During that time, he and Linda moved to Cloudcroft, New Mexico. There, he enjoyed sitting on the front porch watching the birds, visiting the community, and watching his grandchildren graduate high school. He is survived by his wife Linda Marie, daughter Laura Lynn Kooyers (Brandon) and his sons Joseph Michael Sims and Christopher James Sims (Robyn), by his grandchildren Kaytlyn Marie Kooyers and Cody Wyatt Kooyers, by his sister Marvalyn Jeanine Hembree and his brother Jay Alan Sims (Margarita). Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday, May 18, 2020 at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home at Interstate 35 and Wells Branch Parkway. Afterwards, the funeral service will take place outdoors at the Cook-Walden cemetery, out of regard for the health of those attending. Those wishing to honor his memory may do so with flowers or a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

 

James E. Walker (’49)

James E. Walker, 96, passed away May 4 in Albuquerque, NM. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Leda Maciel, whom he met in Recife, Brazil, while serving honorably in the U.S. Army during World War II; his partner Sarah E. Edington; sisters JoAnn Darr and Dorothy Ruth Stone; and brother Raymond Douglas. He is survived by his daughters Carol Robles and husband, Fernando, of Santa Fe, NM and Maria Walker and husband Karl Wagener of Glastonbury, CT; granddaughter Natalie Robles of Los Angeles, CA; sister Mary Margaret Walker of Houston, TX; and many nieces and nephews. He particularly cherished the love and attention of niece Sharon Walker of Edgewood, NM and nephew James Stone of Albuquerque. Following his military service he earned a degree in accountancy from the University of Houston and embarked on a career as an accountant and controller for several companies and nonprofit organizations in Philadelphia, PA and Tampa, FL. While raising his family in Churchville, PA, he was a founding member of St. John’s United Methodist Church of Ivyland, PA. James began a love affair with New Mexico in the early 1980’s and after retiring to the state in 1985, spent many happy hours fishing in the company of his brother and exploring mountains and lakes. During a 10-year period of residence in Edgewood, NM, he and his faithful partner of 25 years, Sarah E. Edington, were founding members of Unity Church at the Edge of the Woods. His faith and religious affiliations were a major and sustaining part of his life. The family requests any donations in James’ memory be made to your local food bank to help those struggling with COVID-19. The family would like to express its gratitude to Palmilla Senior Living and Heartland Hospice for the incredible support and loving care they provided to James during the last period of his life. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

Thomas Conner (’73)

Thomas Conner is a new member on The School for Advanced Research’s board of directors in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Ebubekir Orsun (M.E.’08)

Ebubekir Orsun (M.E.’08) has been named the principal for Albuquerque School of Excellence which received an “A” Rating in 2017-2018. Orsun received his B.S.Industrial Engineering in 2004, Master of Industrial Engineering from University of Houston in 2008, and Master of Educational Administration in 2011 . He lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico – The Land of Enchantment since 2013.