Gayle Jones: Bosque Farms clerk/administrator and EMT

Gayle Jones has been the clerk/administrator for the village of Bosque Farms for 14 years; an EMT since 1986 and EMT instructor since 2000. She lives in Mountainair. She is the daughter of the late Henry and Odell Edwards, and is married to Wayne Jones. They have one son, Clifford Jones, who is married to Lauren, and they have two grandchildren, Hope and Henry.

Q What do you think about when you’re alone in your car?

A “I normally listen to audio books, so I try not to think! If my mind happens to wander, it is usually about issues at work.”

Q What was the last gift you gave someone?

A “I gave my son a gift card to The Art of Shaving for his birthday in January.”

Q What were you like in high school?

A “I was very outgoing and active. I was a cheerleader, played in the band and actually played the piano for chorus. I was even voted class clown my freshman year!”

Q What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?

A “I can’t think of anything funny that has happened to me recently. I live a pretty dull life.”

Q What did you want to be when you grew up?

A “I wanted to be a teacher; actually a special education teacher. I did substitute for an entire semester for a teacher who was out with a serious illness. I taught sophomore English and all the business classes. That semester quickly changed my mind about being a high school teacher!

“I have come back to education though in the form of adult education by teaching EMS classes. However, growing up, I sure didn’t anticipate becoming a municipal clerk.”

Q Who inspires you?

A “We had a pastor in Mountainair who inspired me greatly. His name was Alan Granat. He was a true man of God. He had many health issues but he was never too sick to be available to serve God.

“Even when he was feeling his worst, he was always willing to help anyone who needed it and he was always available to listen and offer sage advice. He was a great inspiration.”

Q What is your birth order in your family, and do you think it influences who you are?

A “I was the baby of two children. It definitely influenced who I am today. My brother and I were both ‘only’ children — we were 22 years apart! Being so much older, my brother babied me as much as my parents did.”

Q What do you do in your free time?

A “I like to read or work puzzles. However, between working a full time job and teaching EMS classes, I sure don’t seem to have much free time.”

Q What’s the most interesting thing about you?

A “I don’t know if this is the most interesting thing about me but this is something that probably isn’t very well known. My husband and I have a food concession trailer.

“My husband’s specialty is barbecue brisket and pulled pork. He prepares all the meat, but I have a hand in the sides that we serve. During the spring and summer months, most of our weekends are spent at different events and festivals, which keeps us pretty busy.”

Q If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

A “I think I would have to be a lioness. I am a Leo by birth, so it would be fitting. A lioness is mighty and fiercely protects her own. In addition, they don’t take any crap off anyone!”

Q You find a lottery ticket that ends up winning $10 million. What would you do?

A “First of all, I would cash in the ticket. Then I would open a dog rescue. I am an animal lover in general but truly a dog lover. I currently have four dogs that are all rescues from Bosque Farms and Valencia County. One was just supposed to be a foster, but I am a ‘foster fail.’”

Q Who is your best friend and why?

A “My husband, Wayne, is my best friend. He is always there for me and takes the time to listen to me. He usually gets the brunt of my venting as well. We were best friends before we got married and it has carried us through our marriage.”

Q What’s your favorite song to sing when you’re alone?

A “I don’t know that I have a favorite song to sing when I’m alone. I guess it all depends on what’s stuck in my head. I love all kinds of music and I constantly have the radio on, even at work.”

Q Where is your happy place, and why?

A “I would have to say that my happy place is in the mountains. I love being out in nature. The beautiful scenery, the sounds of nature and even the smells of the pine trees and wildflowers.

“We went to the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho last summer and I was in heaven. We went to two different lakes that were up in the mountains. It was absolutely beautiful.”

Q Have you had a life-changing experience that led you to where you are today?

A “I would say that working for the village of Bosque Farms has been a life changing experience. It was an act of God that I even applied with the village.

“I was having some disagreements with the mayor in the municipality where I was working before and needed to do something different. I had the application for Bosque Farms laying on the counter for several weeks. The mayor I was working for at the time had placed me on administrative leave.

“During my leave time, I woke up early one morning with a very strong urge to get that application filled out and submitted. The next thing I knew, (Bosque Farms) Mayor Wayne Ake was calling me to set up an interview, and as they say, the rest is history.

“I found out later that they were ready to close the application period and hire someone from out of state. My application came in just before they closed the position. Working for the village has certainly changed my life for the better.”

Q What teacher had the greatest impact on you?

A “I would have to say that Donald Lockridge had the greatest impact on me as a teacher. He took a bunch of rowdy junior high kids and actually got our attention and made learning fun. He was of German descent and he taught German. Since I am also of German descent, I was very interested in the language. He really challenged all of us to do better. He was a great teacher.”

Q If you could live in any other time, when might that be and why?

A “I think I would have loved to grow up in the late ’40s and ’50s. It seems to me that life was so much simpler then before the ‘electronic age.’ Life was pretty simple in the ’60s when I grew up but I have always loved the music and dress from the ’50s.”

Q If you could have dinner with one famous person from history, who would it be?

A “I think it would be Eleanor Roosevelt. I would love to talk to her and hear her talk about all the changes she helped to bring about.”

Q What are you most proud of?

A “There are two things that I am very proud of. The first one is the man my son has become. He is a wonderful, loving husband and father and a great provider for his family.

“The second thing is the accomplishments I have made as a municipal clerk. I received my Master Municipal Clerk designation in 2005. I have been very active in the New Mexico Clerks and Finance Officers Association, and we have seen tremendous growth as a profession and brought about many changes in our state.”

Q How would you like to be remembered?

A “I have never given much thought as to how I would like to be remembered. I guess I would like to be remembered as a loving friend, wife, mother and grandmother. Also as a strong Christian woman living her faith.”