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Obituary for Wilkes


Published in the Albuquerque Journal on Thursday July 19, 2001

Stephen Lloyd Wilkes, Janette Susan Carter Wilkes, and their youngest son, Eliot Carter Wilkes, of Albuquerque, were killed in the crash of a small plane in Beddel, Alaska, while vacationing there with friends. Janette Carter Wilkes, born June 6, 1952, in Amarillo, Texas, was a distingushed physician, researcher, and Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine. Janette grew up in Colorado and Idaho. She attended elementary school in Colorado, attended junior high school and graduated from high school in Buhl, Idaho, in 1970. She received her undergraduate degree from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, in 1974 and the Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of New Mexico in 1978. She was a Pathology Fellow at UNM-SOM in Albuquerque from 1978 to 1979, a residency in Internal Medicine from 1979 to 1982 in Sacramento, CA, and her Chief Residency in Internal Medicine at UNM-SOM in Albuquerque. Janette received additional training at the New England Epidemiology Institute. She was board certified in Internal Medicine and held medical licensure in the State of New Mexico since 1986. Janette was the Director of the Diabetes Model Project and Area Diabetes Control Officer, General Physician, Public Health Service/Indian Health Service, Albuquerque Service Unit from 1983 to 1989. She was Assistant Professor, Veterans Affairs Medical Center and UNM-SOM, Department of Medicine, Primary Care Division, Albuquerque, from 1989 to 1999. At the time of her death, Janette held the position of Associate Professor with Tenure, Veterans Affairs Medical Center/UNM-SOM, Department of Medicine, Primary Care Division, and directed research in the Native American Diabetes Research Program, University of New Mexico. In 1972 Janette did independent study with Behrhorst Clinic in a small, rustic Indian village in Guatemala, working with rural populations to meet basic public health needs. This experience helped to form her deep commitment to addressing the needs of underserved and disadvantaged populations. Janette was the daughter of and is survived by Rosalie Carter of Albuquerque and LeRoy Carter, deceased. She is survived, also, by her eldest son, Alec Tomás Wilkes, 17, of Albuquerque. Stephen Wilkes, born May 1, 1947, in Dayton, Ohio, moved to Albuquerque with his family in 1955. Steve attended elementary schools in Tipp City, Ohio, Sombra del Monte Elementary School in Albuquerque, Madison Junior High School, and Sandia High School, where he graduated in 1965. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education from the University of New Mexico. He began his early education career in California, then returned to Albuquerque to teach at Lincoln Middle School in Albuquerque. He served as Assistant Principal first at Alamosa Elementary School and Rio Rancho Elementary School, then as Principal of Comanche Elementary School and Chaparral Elementary School, all in Albuquerque. Prior to forming Stephen L. Wilkes and Associates Management Consulting in 1991, Stephen managed organizations for seven years and served for three years as an internal management consultant to one of New Mexico's largest corporations. He was known internationally for his facilitation work with boards of major corporations, educational institutions, government agencies, and community organizations. Stephen is survived by his son, Alec Tomás; his mother, Alice Wilkes Matvichuk of Albuquerque; his father, Perry Robert Wilkes Jr. and wife, Bette Wilkes, of Albuquerque; one brother, Perry Robert Wilkes and wife, Carolyn Kinsman, of Albuquerque; three sisters, Elyse Wilkes Watson and husband, Jimmy Watson of Whortonsville, North Carolina; Nancy Wilkes Trujillo, her husband, Audon Trujillo, and daughter, Elyse Ana Trujillo, of Washington, DC; and Joan Wilkes Bockman, her husband, Kevin Bockman, and three sons, Bo, Luke and Sam Bockman of Oceanside CA. Eliot Carter Wilkes was born February 18, 1992, in Albuquerque, NM. He completed the third grade at Alamosa Elementary School and was active in both Little League and the Boy Scouts of America. Eliot was enthusiastically involved with learning piano and had attended Space Shuttle Camp in Alamogrodo, NM, for the last two years. Eliot is survived by his brother, Alec Tomás; his grandparents, Rosalie Carter, Alice Matvichuk, Perry R. Wilkes Jr. and his wife, Bette, all of Albuquerque; his uncles, Perry R. Wilkes, Jimmy Watson, AudĒn Trujillo, and Kevin Bockman; his aunts, Elyse Watson, Nancy Trujillo, Joan Bockman, and Carolyn Kinsman; and his loving dog, Kisses. Stephen's father, Perry R. Wilkes, Jr., expresses that: It has been a great honor to have been the grandfather of Eliot C. Wilkes, the father-in-law of Janette Carter Wilkes and father of Stephen L. Wilkes. In their own ways, all three of these wonderful, adventurist, delightful, and dedicated individuals were warm and truly inspirational. Their involvement in the most challenging and meaningful things of life makes me think that, were they still with us, our future would be even brighter, much brighter. Without the presence of Eliot, Janette and Steve, I am moved to try harder to fulfill their dreams, as best I can do. Early on, it was Steve's efforts in helping to create the Rio Grande Bosque Nature Preserve Society that started me thinking about our tremendous resources and why they need protection and enhancement. Species diversity was the focus of his vision, and efforts as a vital part of public education. The Rio Grande Nature Center was one result of this initiative. Steve, Janette, Eliot, together with Alec, made their home in Albuquerque's North Valley in a community of loving neighbors and extended family, where they will be deeply missed, as they will be by countless friends and colleagues around the world. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2001 10:30 a.m. at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John, 3rd and Silver in Albuquerque, Celebrant, Rev. Brian C. Taylor, Rector of St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, where the family were long-time members. A reception will immediately follow at the Cathedral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Diabetes Association, 525 San Pedro NE, Suite 101, Albuquerque, NM 87108; The Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203-1606; Doctors Without Borders, 6 East 39th Street, 8th floor, New York, NY 10016, or the Christian Children's Fund, Inc., 28221 Emerywood Parkway, Richmond, VA 23294-3725.


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