Obituaries (April 8)

Jessie Baldonado

1976-2021

Jessie loved his lowriders with the bumping systems. He loved all music, from country to rap, as long as it was blastin’ he was jammin’.

He loved his kids “to the end of the world.” He just wanted to make them proud. One of his proudest moments was the day he became a grandpa. He always bragged about his grandson being really good at PlayStation and would show off his rapping skills to everybody.

He was his mother’s only son. The two of them had too much fun. He learned his trade in construction from his loving father. He was the best brother a sister could ever have. His nephews and nieces looked up to him. He always gave them good advice.

Let’s not forget his four-legged nieces and nephew, who enjoyed peeing on his tires and barking at him to throw the ball, but most of all just his attention.

I know he treasured every moment he spent with all of us and, of course, we treasure every moment that we were blessed to have him with us. His contagious laugh and gorgeous smile will never be forgotten.

He was preceded in death by his grandma and grandpa, Victalia and Ramon Fajardo; grandma and grandpa, Remijio and Avelina Baldonado; and many aunties, uncles and cousins.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Yolanda Vicky Baldonado and Avelina Rose Baldonado; his only son, little Jesse Bobby Baldonado; his only grandchild, Daniel James Padilla; loving mother, Rita Chavez and her husband, Michael; father, Felix Baldonado and wife, Cheryl; sisters and husband, Fernando Rivera, Desiree Baldonado and partner, Lisa Val Verde; stepbrothers, Chris, Tim and Shawn Donahoo; nephews and nieces, Isaiah Baldonado and Dominique, Espy and Gabriel Rivera; and three four-legged nieces and nephew, Baby Girl, Cosita and Bro.

Services were held on Tuesday, April 6, at Holy Ghost and Fire Ministry in Belen.

Ray D. Benjamin

1940-2021

Ray D. Benjamin, age 81, beloved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2021, at his home in Bosque Farms.

Ray was born in 1940 in Magdelena, N.M., and grew up working on dairy farms and ranches, where he gained a lifelong love for the outdoors. He served a tour in the U.S. Air Force as a flight line firefighter at Stead Air Force Base in Nevada.

After his service, he married Mary Sue Lewis, from Belen, and eventually settled in Bosque Farms to raise his family. He retired from a career in heavy road construction in 2005, having held jobs from finish blade operator to superintendent. There are many well-traveled roads in New Mexico, Eastern Arizona and Southern Colorado that he had a major hand in building.

Ray loved gardening, hunting and fishing, but most of all he loved spending time with his immediate and extended family. He was so loved by his wife, two children, nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and his many friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kelly Colton; grandson, Corey Colton; brothers, Billy and Lewis Benjamin; sister, Louise Hale; and parents, Buster and Babe Benjamin.

Ray is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Mary Sue Benjamin; son, Colonel (Ret.) Brian Benjamin and wife, Kerri, their five children; three sons-in-law and two grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Justin, Lacey and Capt. Jody Colton; and sisters, Gladys Dillard and Kathy Gardner.

A celebration of life for Ray is planned for this summer.

Arrangements entrusted to Noblin Funeral Service Los Lunas, 2211-D Main St., 866-9992. An online guest register book is available at noblin.com.

Eric B. Dutton

1950-2021

On April 3, 2021, Eric Buford Dutton, loving husband and father of two sons, was called home by our Lord at age 71.

Eric was born Feb. 7, 1950, in Denison, Texas, to Buford and Peggy Dutton. Eric accepted Jesus as his savior at the age of 12, and then he was baptized at the Calvary Baptist Church in Tucumcari, N.M.

Eric and the love of his life, Linda, were married 50 exceptional years and raised two sons, Deric and Chad, in a Christian home, teaching them about God’s love and how to walk in the footprints of Jesus, their savior in their everyday life.

Eric was a true man of God, and it showed in his words, deeds, family life and activities. His 40-plus years in construction as co-owner/owner of McIntosh & Dutton Construction proved very successful.

Sundays were spent in conversations with God while attending First Baptist Church of Bosque Farms since 1973. He was a deacon, Sunday school teacher, sang in the choir, a member of the Bosque Boys Quartet, acted and sang in many plays and performances and other activities too numerous to mention. It wasn’t in Eric to say “no” when the Lord came asking for volunteers of his “good and faithful servants.”

Spending time with his family was all he needed to make him happy; therefore, Eric and his sons and grandsons were avid dirt bike racers with the N.M. Desert Racing/Gas It Off-Road circuit. He brought many dirt bike riders to know Jesus and the Lord through his Riders for Christ Ministry.

Many joyful times were spent outdoors with family and friends, all their dirt bikes, Jeeps, Razors and other ATV types riding the back roads through New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. He was also passionate about hunting, fishing and overall enjoying nature as God intended. After Sunday worship service, one of his favorite family traditions was a trip to the local Lotaburger for lunch.

Eric was preceded in death by his father, Buford Dutton; and in-laws, David and Bonnie Welch.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Linda Louise Dutton; and sons, Deric and wife, Kim, and Chad and wife, Kari; his six grandchildren, Chase, Colby, Kashley, Kylee, Slade and Lance. Eric is also survived by his mother, Peggy Dutton (Grammy); brothers, Brad and wife, Penny Dutton, and Greg and wife, Delores Dutton; sisters-in-law, Barbara and husband, Gary Duerksen, Gail and husband, Robert Waldron, and Sandy and husband, Fran Klein; and many nieces and nephews.

Selfless, generous, kind, considerate, stern but fair, a servant and a leader! Eric would say to all, “I will be looking for you in heaven, so be there!”

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 10, at the First Baptist Church of Bosque Farms, 1350 Bosque Farms Blvd., Bosque Farms.

Pallbearers will be Chase Dutton, Colby Dutton, Kashley Dutton, Kylee Dutton, Slade Dutton, Lance Dutton, Caleb Dutton and Tyler Klein.

Donations to the youth building of the First Baptist Church of Bosque Farms may be made in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements entrusted to Noblin Funeral Service Los Lunas, 2211-D Main St., 866-9992. An online guest register book is available at noblin.com.

Mary Lou Pacheco

1951-2021

Mary Lou Pacheco was born to Josephine and Mariano Chavez on June 20, 1951, and went to be with the Lord on April 5, 2021.

Mary Lou was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister and friend.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Louie.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Benino; two sons, Benino Jr. (Sherri), of Moore, Okla., and Timothy Pacheco (Becky) of Choctaw, Okla.; sister, Priscilla (Joe), of Los Lunas; brothers, Raymond, of Veguita, and Michael, of Belen. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren, Hunter, Dylan, Lyric and Gibson, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Services will be held at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church on Saturday, April 10. A public viewing will begin at 9 a.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 9:30 a.m., and a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblinfuneralservice.com.

Alvin K. Shore

1951-2021

Alvin K. Shore, 70, passed away on March 31, 2021.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Ruby Shore; and three daughters, Sherri Shore, Charlotte Vigil and Cassandra Jeter; three grandsons, a granddaughter and a great-granddaughter.

He is proceded in death by his father, Waymon Shore.

Alvin has been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Los Lunas for all of his life. He has run a variety businesses in Valencia County for many years. Alvin had a love of woodworking, upholstery, camping, family, karaoke and helping others.

His service was held on Wednesday, April 7, at the LDS Church in Los Lunas for close friends and family.

Please sign Alvin’s on-line tribute at romerofuneralhome.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.