Obituaries

Gonzales: Gabriel Cruz Gonzales, 18, a resident of T or C and former resident of Bayard, NM, entered eternal rest on August 17, 2025, due to a tragic car accident in Hatch NM. He was born on December 27,2006 in Harlingen TX. He came to Bayard NM at the tender age of one. Gilbert and Antonia Gonzales were his parents and his foster Dad was Casey Forese and family. We will forever miss him and beautiful smile. We pray for his joy to be complete with God our Father. He was an altar server for Our Lady of Fatima with his sidekick Gabriel Chavez with his training being done at Newman Center in Silver City. In Gabriel's short life he was working to be a top Chef cook. Being a Chef was one of his biggest passions. He worked on his food handler's card at the age of 14 so he could volunteer to cook or anything that needed to be done at the church. He and many of his mentors were always at his side with his Dad, Gilbert. Gabriel was the best decorator for Christmas trees and lights inside and outside of his home. He loved to help his Nanie to bake goodies. He loved his family and friends very deeply. His very first paying job was with Compa Gilbert Ortiz whom he admired a lot

Felix Flores Torres, 74, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025, surrounded by his family.  He was born July 21, 1951 in Silver City, to his parents, Gilberto and Agnes (Flores) Torres.

Felix wore many titles in life, but his greatest gift was the way he made everyone feel loved, welcomed, and at home — whether family by blood or by bond. He had a way of bringing people together and leaving them with a smile.

His love for cars began as a young boy in Pinos Altos. What started as curiosity became a true passion. Felix could build them, fix them, and even diagnose a problem over the phone without ever lifting the hood. He was always working on a project, and more than once, he would finish a car and take off to California just for the adventure. Felix lived life with spontaneity, joy, and a fearless spirit.

In his younger years, Felix met his beautiful wife, Lucy. Their love story blossomed into 55 years of marriage filled with laughter, adventures, and countless memories. Together, they raised five children and were blessed with 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, who became the light of their lives. Summers at their home were full of love, laughter, cousins, and friends — the kind of gatherings that built lifelong memories for everyone who stepped through their door.

It is with broken hearts that we announce that Vincent Gallegos passed away August 12, 2025.

A resident of Silver City, NM, Vince was the son of the late Natalie and Ramon Gallegos. Throughout his life, Vincent's family admired his unwavering commitment to living in his truth. GO REST BROTHER. YOU WILL BE MISSED.

He is survived by his son, Jared Gallegos and his brothers: Carlos Montejano, Gilbert Gallegos, Victor Gallegos and Michael Gallegos; and his sister, Anna Gallegos of California.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Richard and Alex Gallegos.

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels. Vince's family will gather to lay him to rest at the Vanadium Cemetery on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at ten o'clock in the morning.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Vincent David Gallegos, please visit our floral store.

Gabriel Cruz Gonzeles, 18, a resident of Truth or Consequences (T or C), NM, entered eternal rest Sunday, August 17, 2025, in Hatch, New Mexico. Arrangements are pending with Terrazas Funeral Chapels ~ 575-537-0777.

"A cowboy never says goodbye; it's not in his nature..." Just like the cowboy he was, Troy Edward McDonald did not say goodbye on the afternoon of Friday, August 15, 2025, when he unexpectedly passed away at his home. 

Many remember Troy from high school for his vehicles, the roller rink, and, as one friend shared with our daughter, a bit of a heartthrob. Others recall him from his time with American Auto Electric, a mechanic shop located on Pinos Altos Road/12th St., near Dairy Queen. His nephews and their friends fondly remember him as their football coach. SHS band trips with Justine. Cosmic Bowling with Tyler, Tory, and Raelynn. Golfing with Tony. The Flame, where he met his wife, Mary Rae. No matter where they remember him from, all remember Troy as a good man—always ready to lend a hand and incredibly skilled at fixing vehicles and solving tricky problems.

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved mother, Maria Guadalupe Salinas, affectionately known as Lupe and Lupita. Our mother passed away in the early morning of Monday, August 18, 2025, at Mesilla Valley Hospice in Las Cruces. She was surrounded by her loving family and died peacefully with her daughter by her side.

On December 5th, 1958, Lupe was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, to Guadalupe R. Salinas and Filomena Salinas. As a small child, her family moved to her forever home in Deming, NM. Lupe worked for 18 years at Mimbres Memorial Nursing Home as a Certified Nursing Aid and continued her caregiving duties as a home health aide until her retirement. She dearly loved her work and her clients. Lupe was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Ann Catholic Church. Throughout her life, she was an avid reader and loved listening to audiobooks. In recent years, she had found new friends at the Deming Senior Center. Thank you to her "family" at the Deming Senior Center for making our mother feel loved and welcomed.

Darrell Leland Witmer, 84, of Deming, New Mexico, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Darrell was born November 8, 1940 in Oelwein, Iowa, the son of Robert Vern Witmer and Doris Mae (Fish) Witmer. He graduated from Madison High School in 1958, then went on to Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, Missouri, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Bible. He was ordained at Union Avenue Christian Church (currently known as Timberlake Christian Church) in 1960. He faithfully ministered for 62 years in 15 different churches as full-time minister and filled the pulpit where he was needed. He loved the Lord and serving others. As Jesus said, Love God; Love People.

Darrell has a distinguished military and service background. He proudly served in the United States Navy from 1963 to 1970 aboard USS Grouper and USS Simon Bolivar. After his active duty, he continued his service in the Naval Reserve in 1974. Subsequently, he served in the Missouri National Guard from 1975 to 1983, followed by the New Mexico State Guard from 2007 to 2009. Additionally, from 2000 to 2010, he dedicated his time to serving with the New Mexico Sheriffs Reserve.

Richard Joseph Reece, 82, of Bayard, NM passed away Aug.13, 2025 at home with family. He was born on March 14,1943 to Melvin and Elizabeth Reece in St. Joseph, Missouri. His family moved to Santa Rita, NM when he was a child. He graduated from Cobre High School in 1961 and married his sweetheart, Dianna, in 1963. He attended Western New Mexico University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Personnel Management and Data Processing. Richard served in the U.S. Air Force for eight years, mostly as a flight simulator technician, and after conclusion of his service, he returned to Grant County and worked in the local mines specializing in technical and engineering positions as well as data processing. He retired from Phelps Dodge in 2001, filling his time with hobbies and visits from his growing family.