Obituaries

Mario Lopez Kirker, 98, a Navy Veteran and resident of Santa Clara, NM entered eternal rest on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at Fort Bayard Medical Center. He was born on November 26, 1925 to his parents, Juan and Rita (Lopez) Kirker in Santa Rita, NM.

He is survived by his loving wife, Elisa Moreno (Grinie) Kirker; his son, John R. Kirker (Maggie) of Santa Clara, NM; his daughters, Virginia Enriquez of Silver City, NM and Rita Lopez of Silver City, NM; his step-son, Richard Grinie of Silver City; his brother, Robert Kirker of Las Cruces, NM; his twenty-two grandchildren; his forty-six great-grandchildren; his nineteen great-great-grandchildren; his one great-great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his son, James Kirker (1985); his step-son, Henry Grinie (2020); his brothers, Frank Kirker, Leonardo Kirker and Henry Kirker; his sister, Clorinda Alderette; his great-granddaughter, Myrandah Quintana.

Barbara K. Hoggett,73, passed away peacefully in her home Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Barbara was born in Lordsburg, December 12, 1950, to Charles and Louise Hoggett. She was the second of four daughters. She graduated from LHS in 1968 and had two degrees from NMSU.

Barbara had many jobs throughout her life including working for Southern Pacific Railroad and for Dr. Dotty Carter. She worked on the family ranch for many years. Barbara was an active member in Tabosa CowBelles and founder of the Cowboy Hall of Fame in the museum. She was a strong supporter of the Hidalgo County Fair. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Lordsburg. She was a long-time caregiver for her partner, George Botzko.

Barbara loved to laugh and enjoyed life to the fullest. She loved people and was always willing to lend a hand. She loved to go on adventures, especially with George. She loved the ranch and the animals, including her faithful dog. One of her biggest joys was spending time with her nieces and nephews, big and little. She was the "fun" aunt.

Carroll Dean Richins was born January 19, 1934, in Virden, NM, to Orson and Edna Richins. He was the ninth of eleven children. He was ingenious, always inventing ways to work smart. He could tackle most any problem if he simply thought it through.

Dean served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Montana from July 1955 to July 1957. There, he met the love of his life, Donna. They were married September 4, 1957, in the Mesa, AZ Temple. He then served honorably in the United States Army from September 1957 to October 1959.

Espaeranza "Espi" Barboza Tarango, longtime resident of Lordsburg passed away Thursday August 1, 2024 in Albuquerque. Arrangements are pending.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Esperanza Barboza Tarango, please visit our floral store.

Tracy Lee Raymond
June 13, 1959 – July 28, 2024
Prairie City, OR – Tracy sadly passed away surrounded by her family. She was born June 13, 1959 in Vancouver, WA to Delmas and Norma Raymond. Tracy spent 20+ years driving school buses before switching to a career in the health care industry taking care of others. She raised 2 children of her own, Christopher and Jason Layng, but was a surrogate mother to many others both during her time driving buses and caring for others at Step Forward. Tracy proved to be an independent, driven, and nurturing person. She maintained that independence up until the very end. She was loving, kind, compassionate, stubborn, silly and full of life. Her true calling was in how she took care of everyone else in such a compassionate manner. Her sense of humor was witty and charming.

Evelyn Louise Obert, 88, a resident of Silver City, NM entered eternal rest on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at her residence. Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

Michael Wayne Yates, 67, of Deming passed away Monday, August 5, 2024 at his son's residence in Silver City. Arrangements are pending under the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Michael Wayne Yates, please visit our floral store.

Gary Emerson, July 10, 1943 - July 29, 2024

Gary Paul Emerson of Tyrone, New Mexico, died on July 29, 2024, after a long illness. He was 81. He was known in Silver City for his astronomy presentations and his many friendships, including a special relationship with Sally Stewart, who died in 2011. Emerson was born on July 10, 1943, in Los Angeles to Lenova Klutts Emerson and Paul Emerson. He grew up in California, Chicago, Arkansas and Oklahoma. It was in Chicago where a favorite teacher developed his lifelong interest in astronomy. As a high school freshman, he was selected by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory for Operation Moon watch, a volunteer observer program established after the Soviet launch of Sputnik. After high school, Emerson joined the Marine Corps and graduated from its electronics school. He also studied at the University of Hawaii, Arizona Western College and New Mexico State University. In 1966, he was in Las Cruces on assignment for Northwestern University to observe the moon for NASA's Apollo missions. He then worked as a solar observer for the National Center for Atmospheric Research Center's High-Altitude Observatory while attending the University of Colorado in Boulder.