Obituaries (Aug. 5)

Archie Verdell Farnsworth Jr.

1941-2021

Archie Verdell Farnsworth Jr. left this mortal life on July 28, 2021, two weeks after turning 80 years old.

He was born on July 12, 1941, in Mesa, Ariz., and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Arizona State University. Before graduating, he met his beloved wife, Jacqueline, who would be his best friend and comfort in life for more than 55 years.

He continued his education, graduating with a PhD in fluid dynamics from Brown University, and then immediately began working at Sandia National Laboratories as a scientist for 34 years until his retirement.

He and his wife lived in Valencia County for more than 40 years and raised their family in Los Chavez, where all seven children graduated from Belen High School.

Archie served as a volunteer firefighter and in other community positions in Valencia County. He served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as bishop, clerk, teacher and executive secretary, among other service opportunities.

He was not a stranger to service. As a young man, he dedicated two years of his life to serving as a full-time ecclesiastical missionary in Mississippi. He loved the Lord, Jesus Christ, and endeavored to always follow Him and love others as the Savior would. Not a large or tall man, his quiet, generous nature has greatly impacted countless lives and blessed those who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Wayne; and parents, Archie and Thelma.

He is survived by many who love him dearly, namely his wife Jackie; seven children, Heber, Rebecca, Nathan, Laura, Elizabeth (Lybi), Grant and Seth; their six spouses, 28 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and his three sisters.

Services for Archie Farnsworth will be held on Saturday, Aug. 7, at the Church on 160 James St., Los Lunas. The viewing will be from 12:30-1:30 p.m., and the funeral service will be from 2-3:30 p.m. He will be interred at a family plot in the Mesa City Cemetery in Mesa, Ariz.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Riverside Funeral Home.

 

Willie D. Garley

1960-2021

Willie D. Garley, age 60, a lifelong resident of Belen, passed away Saturday, July 31, 2021. He peacefully arrived in paradise and was surrounded by his preceded family.

Willie, known to many as THE LEGEND/ IRON MAN, will be missed by all who knew him. He never stopped smiling and loved spending time with his daughter, three boys and grandkids. Willie enjoyed having a good time, being sarcastic, joking and having a beer with friends and family.

He also enjoyed going for cruises in the rain, going to the gym, arm wrestling and watching sports, as well as spending time in the mountains.

Throughout the years, Willie has received many athletic rewards, such as making 2012 New Mexico Arm Wrestling Hall of Fame and Belen Athlete of the Year. He graduated from Belen High School attended college at Eastern and Highlands University on a track and field scholarship.

Willie was preceded in death by his parents, Bobby and Jenny Garley.

He is survived by his four children, Cameron, Melissa (Troy), Nick (Frances) and Daniel (Elisha); five grandchildren, Darren, Isaac, Mason, Audreyanna and Zephaniah; two godchildren, Jackie Gonzales and Gabriel Garley; and seven brothers and three sisters.

Services will be held on Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 9-10, at Our Lady of Belen Catholic Church, beginning Monday, with a public visitation at 6:30 p.m. and a Rosary to be recited at 7:30 p.m., continued on Tuesday, Aug. 10, with a final visitation at 9 a.m. and a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Belen Memorial Gardens.

Please sign Willie’s online tribute at Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

 

Victor Manuel Gurule

1958-2021

Victor Manuel Gurule, age 62, beloved husband, brother, uncle and grandfather passed away on Friday, July 30, 2021. He was a lifelong resident of Albuquerque and Peralta.

Victor is preceded in death by baby daughter, Angelina Gurule; parents, Manuel and Maria Gurule; sister, Rosalinda Gurule; baby nephew, Andrew Paul Herrera; and his grandparents.

He  is survived by his loving family, wife, Valerie Gurule, of 20 years; in-laws, Carol and Clovis Torrez; sister, Rose (Larry) Herrera; daughters, Gloria Gurule and Arianna Taylor; sons, Victor and Manuel Gurule and Nick Robledo; three granddaughters; nephew, Matthew Herrera; and nieces, Teresa Herrera and Jessica Torrez.

No services are scheduled at this time.

Please sign Victor’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.

 

Karen L. (Blaylock) Jurgensen

1950-2021

Karen L. (Blaylock) Jurgensen, 70, a lifelong resident of Belen, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 27, 2021.

She was born in Corona, Calif., on Aug. 28, 1950. She was known for her warm heart and healing hands. Everyone who knew Karen felt the love she had for them. She was strong, smart and independent.

Karen was a wonderful teacher and friend, with a beautiful soul and a great laugh. She was loved by so many family and friends. Karen loved her boys. She was most proud of loving on her grandson, Evan, for the last five years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Eva Blaylock; in-laws, Don and Bette Jurgensen; her son, Keith Jurgensen; four brothers, Don, Jimmy, Tommy and Danny Blaylock; and grandson, Brian Wiegel-Jurgensen.

She is survived by her loving husband of many years, Rick Jurgensen; sons, Donnie Jurgensen (Jasmine), of California, and Michael Jurgensen (Amber); grandson, Evan James Jurgensen, of Belen; granddaughter, Stephanie Anderson; grandson, Tanner Myers; three great-grandsons, Shawn, Nicolas and Erik; three sisters, Catherine Moore and husband, Bob, of Missouri, Judi Riley-Bensley and boyfriend, Ron Wilson, of Los Lunas; and Vicki Martin and husband, Ski, of Los Lunas; and brother, Michael Blaylock, of Washington. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews, in-laws and out-laws who will cherish the many memories made throughout the years living with “Papa Karna.”

Arrangements are being handled by the caring professionals at the Noblin Funeral Service Belen Chapel, 418 W. Reinken Ave., 505-864-4448, where an online guest register is available at noblin.com.

 

Ben Oaks Little

1968-2021

Ben Oaks Little, age 52, a resident of Los Lunas, passed away in hospice care on Friday, July 16, 2021.

Ben was an avid Denver Broncos fan and had an extensive collection of Broncos memorabilia. He enjoyed watching “Walker, Texas Ranger,” and had the pleasure of meeting Chuck Norris and having his picture taken with him. Ben loved his family, and his family loved him. He has a place in all our hearts.

Ben was born on Dec. 24, 1968, in Gillette, Wyo. He worked in a nursing home and at a restaurant, and participated in Special Olympics several times. Ben and his mother, Verna Ruth, moved to New Mexico in 1992.

Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Lester D. Little, and Verna Ruth Little; his brother, Dearl Ray LeBlanc; and niece, Dawn Myers.

Ben is survived by his sisters, Roberta Myers and Nancy Little; brother, Danny Little; nieces, Kim LeBlanc and Alexa Little; nephews, Nathan Myers and Austin Little; aunts, Alice Kintzler, Ruby Glasscock and Anne McIntosh; uncle, Marvin Smith; and numerous cousins and great-nephews.

A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.

 

Alejandro “Alex” Torres

1929-2021

Alejandro “Alex” Torres, age 91, passed away on Sunday, July 25, 2021, at his home in Belen.

He was born in Punta De Agua, N.M. Alex was a well-respected crane operator and served as a member of the Local 953 IUSE Operating Engineers Union for many years. He was a man of faith who truly loved his family. We celebrate that he’s now at peace and will speak peace for him.

Alex is preceded in death by his parents, J. Sosteno and Anna Maria C. Torres; his wife of 52 years, Felicita M. Torres; and his second wife, love and companion, Rosenda Armijo; son, Dennis A. Torres; grandson, Marcos Torres; sisters, Bernice Torres and Clorinda Gutierrez; brothers, Antonio Gonzalez, Abenicio, Ciprian, Gilbert and Arturo Torres.

He is survived by his son, David H. Torres, of Manzano; and daughter, Marcella B. Chavez, of Belen; nine grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Conde (Ray) and Joe Torres; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at St. Alice Catholic Parish in Mountainair on Saturday, Aug. 7, beginning with a Rosary to be recited at 11 a.m., and burial to follow at Mountainair Cemetery. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Association in Alex’s name.

Please sign Alex’s online tribute at romerofuneralhomenm.com. Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St., Belen.