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MASON -- Thelma "Big Momma" Mason, 92, died Tuesday, February 12, 2008. She was a resident of Albuquerque since 1993, living with her grandson Reggie and his wife, Tracey Willis. Big Momma was born on April 5, 1915 in Keatchie, LA. She was preceded in death be her husband, James Mason Sr.; her parents; and two brothers. Big Momma is survived by Reggie and his wife, Tracey Willis; her sister Ruthie Mae "Doll Baby" from Houston, TX; her children Maxine Dukes of Albuquerque, James Franklin Mason Jr., Barbara Gregory, and John Mason and wife, Marlene, all of California; 23 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren; and also her extended family Kelly and Stacey Apolinar. Services will be held Saturday, February 23, 2008, 1:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel with her grandson Willie Anderson Jr. officiating. Friends may visit French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Now you can rest Big Momma. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd NE (505) 843-6333 www.frenchmortuary.com
        Published on: Thu February 21, 2008

PECK -- RALPH 1912 - 2008 Ralph B. Peck, Professor Emeritus of Foundation Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, died of congestive heart failure on February 18, 2008, at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He was born in Winnipeg, Canada, to his American parents, Orwin K and Ethel Huyck Peck on June 23, 1912. Ralph Peck earned a Civil Engineering Degree in 1934 and Doctor of Civil Engineering Degree in 1937, both from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. In 1938-39 he attended the Soil Mechanics course at Harvard University and was a laboratory assistant to Arthur Casagrande. From 1939 to 1942 Peck was an assistant subway engineer for the City of Chicago, representing Karl Terzaghi, who was a consultant on the Chicago Subway Project. He joined the University of Illinois in 1942, and was a Professor of Foundation Engineering from 1948 to 1974. Since 1974, Professor Peck was a Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois, and a consultant in geotechnical engineering. In 1948, together with Karl Terzaghi, Ralph Peck co-authored the most influential text book in geotechnical engineering, Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice. In 1953 with Walt Hanson and Tom Thornburn, Ralph Peck co-authored the widely used text book Foundation Engineering. In 1942, Dr. Peck joined the Civil Engineering Department of the University of Illinois, where he remained as a teacher and mentor until his retirement as Professor Emeritus in 1974. After moving to Albuquerque, Dr. Peck continued his active consulting practice which included jobs in forty-four states in the USA and twenty-eight countries on five continents. His more than one thousand consulting projects include: the rapid transit systems in Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington; the Alaskan Pipeline System; the James Bay Project in Quebec; and the Dead Sea dikes. He authored over 250 technical publications, and served as the President of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering from 1969 to 1973. In 1974, he was awarded the National Medal of Science by President Ford. A few of his many honors include the Norman Medal, The Wellington Prize, and the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award in Education from the American Society of Engineers. His last project was the Rion-Antirion Bridge in Greece. It received the ASCE's OPAL Outstanding Civil Engineering Award for 2005 and is the only project outside the United States to be so honored. Ralph Peck married Marjorie E. Truby on June 14, 1937. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Nancy Peck (Allen) Young; and son and daughter-in-law, James (Laurie) Peck; and grandchildren, Michael Young and Maia Peck. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Ralph B. Peck Geotechnical Engineering Fund-U of I Foundation, 1305 West Green Street, MC-386, Urbana, Illinois, 61801.
        Published on: Thu February 21, 2008

PLUMMER -- Robert Stedman Plummer, 88, a resident of Rio Rancho, passed away on Sunday, February 17, 2008. Robert was born October 15, 1919, the son of Walter and Grace Sears Plummer in Norwood, Massachusetts. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. His education encompassed a B. A. degree from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, 1942; L.L. B. degree from Boston University, Boston, MA, 1949; and the CPA Exam Prep courses from Ramapo College, Mahwah, NJ, 1984. He worked in the insurance business, from 1948 - 1981 with Continental Insurance Company, starting in Claims Dept. as Manager in their San Diego, CA office, then transferred to San Francisco, where he served as the Supervisor of the Fidelity & Surety Claims Dept. After passing the California Bar, he was asked to be the Managing Attorney for Continental Insurance Legal Division. Then, he was transferred to New York City to serve as Vice President, General Counsel for Diners Club, a subsidiary of Continental Insurance Company. There he practiced International Law while bringing the Diners Club franchises under the Continental Insurance Company's umbrella. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera Sophia, in 1998. He is survived by three children, Robert Stedman "Ted" Plummer, Jr. and wife, Catherine, Janice Leigh Plummer Dick and husband, John, and Sonja Sophia Plummer; grandchildren, Karin Plummer Potoka and husband, Dr. Douglas Potoka, James Stedman Plummer, Michael John Dick and Geoffrey Robert Dick; one great granddaughter, Madison Sophia Potoka. The Service for Robert will be held on Friday, February 22, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 2903 19th Avenue, (19th and Golf Course) Rio Rancho, with Father Pete Falk officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124 892-9920 www.danielsfuneral.com
        Published on: Thu February 21, 2008

MELENDRES -- Dolores Marie Melendres, wife of the late Arthur Melendres of Albuquerque, died in her home in Albuquerque on February 17, 2008. Dolores was born in Magdalena, New Mexico in 1911, one of nine children born to Flavio Vigil and Teresa Pino Vigil. She was a graduate of the University of New Mexico, and taught in the Albuquerque Public Schools for 27 years. Dolores and Arthur are the parents of two sons, Arthur and Walter Melendres. Arthur and his wife, Diana, have made their home in Albuquerque, and Walter and his wife, Terry, live in Santa Fe. Dolores' grandchildren are Paul Melendres of Albuquerque, Fred Melendres of San Diego, CA, Dr. Lana Melendres-Groves of Albuquerque, James Melendres of San Diego, CA, Lauren Melendres-Movafaghi of Austin, TX, and Linda Melendres of New York, NY. Her great-grandchildren are Ashley, Paul, and Charlie. Dolores has many other relatives and friends who will miss her. A Rosary will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at French Mortuary, University Chapel. She is a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, 4020 Lomas Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87110, where her Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, February 20, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Our Lady of Fatima Women's Altar Guild, 4020 Lomas Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87110. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd NE (505) 843-6333 www.frenchmortuary.com
        Published on: Wed February 20, 2008

PLUMMER -- Robert Stedman Plummer, 88, a resident of Rio Rancho, passed away on Sunday, February 17, 2008. Robert was born October 15, 1919, the son of Walter and Grace Sears Plummer in Norwood, Massachusetts. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. His education encompassed a B. A. degree from Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, 1942; L.L. B. degree from Boston University, Boston, MA, 1949; and the CPA Exam Prep courses from Ramapo College, Mahwah, NJ, 1984. He worked in the insurance business, from 1948 - 1981 with Continental Insurance Company, starting in Claims Dept. as Manager in their San Diego, CA office, then transferred to San Francisco, where he served as the Supervisor of the Fidelity & Surety Claims Dept. After passing the California Bar, he was asked to be the Managing Attorney for Continental Insurance Legal Division. Then, he was transferred to New York City to serve as Vice President, General Counsel for Diners Club, a subsidiary of Continental Insurance Company. There he practiced International Law while bringing the Diners Club franchises under the Continental Insurance Company's umbrella. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera Sophia, in 1998. He is survived by three children, Robert Stedman "Ted" Plummer, Jr. and wife, Catherine, Janice Leigh Plummer Dick and husband, John, and Sonja Sophia Plummer; grandchildren, Karin Plummer Potoka and husband, Dr. Douglas Potoka, James Stedman Plummer, Michael John Dick and Geoffrey Robert Dick; one great granddaughter, Madison Sophia Potoka. The Service for Robert will be held on Friday, February 22, 2008 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 2903 19th Avenue, (19th and Golf Course) Rio Rancho, with Father Pete Falk officiating. Arrangements are entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124 892-9920 www.danielsfuneral.com
        Published on: Wed February 20, 2008

ESTRADA -- Louis C. Estrada, 70, passed away February 14, 2008 after a long illness. He was the only child of Silverio Estrada and Genoveva Pedroncelli Estrada, who both preceded him in death. He was the sole survivor of the Estrada family. He leaves behind many extended family and friends who loved and will miss him. Louis served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, rising to the rank of Tech Sergeant. Services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 1860 Griegos NW, with Rosary recited at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Thursday, February 21, 2008. Burial is to follow with military honors at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Geno Gallegos Sr., Geno Gallegos, Bill Gibson, Herman Pedroncelli, James Mason, and Jack Romero. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dominic Gallegos and Wilfred Pedroncelli. Arrangements by Direct Funeral Services 2919 4th St. NW Albuquerque, NM 87107 (505) 343-8008.
        Published on: Tue February 19, 2008

GUNNING -- Barbara Louise Gray Gunning departed this life on Valentines Day, February 14, 2008, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, following 82 years enriched by the love of God, family, and friends. Barbara was born the youngest of four children to William Otis Gray and Lillian Haupt Gray on April 28, 1926 in Independence, Kansas. Barbara moved with her family from Independence to Winfield, Kansas during grade school, then on to Enid, Oklahoma in 1941 where she graduated from Enid High in 1944. She met James E. 'Jay' Gunning in high school, and they married on October 1, 1944, just prior to his deployment in the Navy during World War II. Upon his discharge, Barb and Jay attended the University of Oklahoma, each earning Bachelor of Accounting degrees in 1950. Following graduation, Barb and Jay returned to Enid where they shared with family the ownership and management of Gray's clothing store for the next twenty years. After the birth of their first child, Barbara stayed home to raise their children, Beverly Kay Gunning Pax, Robert James Gunning, Jeffery Jay Gunning, and Christopher Ross Gunning. Barbara was a founding member of the Chi Beta Child Study Club, and enjoyed the wide circle of friendship of its members throughout her adult life. She was proud to have served on a local education committee in the late 1950's, working to incorporate kindergarten classes into public schools in Enid. She and Jay were charter members of Christ United Methodist Church, founded in 1954, where her faith and love of God matured over the next fifty years. In 1971, after living for a year in Charlotte, North Carolina, Barbara and Jay were divorced and Barb returned to Enid with Jeff and Chris, while Beverly and Bob attended OU. Barb spent the next twenty years working, for the Garfield County Clerk's office, Davis Abstract Company, and finally the City of Enid Administrative offices, from which she retired in 1991. Barbara spent the majority of her retirement years in Enid enjoying the company of her friends, Chi Beta sisters, and her brother Jim Gray and his wife Dorothy. She made frequent trips to visit her children and grandchildren in Denver, Atlanta, Dallas, and Albuquerque, and enjoyed their visits home to Enid. Following health problems that developed in 2003, she moved to Albuquerque to be closer to her son Chris and his family. While in Albuquerque, Barb attended Monte Vista Christian Church and was a resident of Woodmark at Uptown and Manzano del Sol. Surviving immediate family members are Beverly and Fred Pax of Denver and their children, Alyson, Ryon, and Nic; her son, Bob, and his wife, Sheryl, of Atlanta and their children, Jordan and Loren; her son, Jeff, and his wife, Karen, of Dallas and their children, Kate and Emma; and her son, Chris, and his wife, Andrea, of Albuquerque and their children, Amelia and Aaron. Surviving nephews and nieces include Jim Clement, Bill Clement, Anne Clement Scott, Jean Clement Johnson, and Suzanne Stolzer Fate. She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Margaret Gray Clement, James W. Gray, and Katherine Gray Stolzer, and their spouses; one nephew, George Branson Gray; and one grandchild, Oliver Gray Pax. Funeral Services will be held today, February 19, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Enid, with Rev. Jim Jones officiating, followed by a Family Burial Service at Memorial Park Cemetery In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ United Methodist Church with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodians of the fund.
        Published on: Tue February 19, 2008

GWINN -- Carolyn K. Gwinn, 56, a resident of Belen went to be with the Lord after a long battle with breast cancer. She is preceded in death by her younger sister, Pamela Argetsinger, of Los Lunas. She is survived by her husband of 28 years, Mark P. Gwinn Jr. of Belen; one daughter, Tina Dziuk, and husband, Robert Maldonado, of Albuquerque; one son, James Johnston, and wife, Jessica, of Prescott Valley, AZ; five grandchildren; Tyler, Alec, Bresia, Brooklyn, and Jay; parents, Robert and Marlene (Barton) Clover of Belen; one sister, Connie Brown, and husband, William, of Los Lunas; two brothers, Dale Clover and Bobby Clover of Belen; and many other loving aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Carolyn was born October 22, 1951 in Plainview, TX. After moving to New Mexico in 1977, she worked as a bill clerk for the Santa Fe Railroad in Belen where she met her husband. They were married July 26, 1979 in a small ceremony at the First Baptist Church in Belen. In the 1980's, Carolyn began working as a dispatcher for her father's trucking company. She enjoyed working with people, and loved the challenge that the transportation industry offered. Carolyn was baptized at Valley Christian Church in Albuquerque by Pastor David Morgan. She enjoyed the church and her new friends she met there. Some of the other things she enjoyed included participating in her children and grandchildren's activities, family functions and gatherings, traveling, collecting antiques, researching ancient Indian ruins, Amish culture, and oh yes, shopping. Carolyn was a high spirited woman who was an inspiration to her family and friends. Her vibrant personality and caring ways drew people near and afar. She instinctively understood how to bring out the best in those she worked with and those she loved. In turn, she was loved and respected by all who knew her. She is deeply cherished and will be as deeply missed. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 19, 2008, 2:00 p.m., at French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park. Carolyn has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Suzan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation. (877) 465-6636 5005 LBJ Fwy; Ste 250 Dallas, TX 75244. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. Chapel (505) 843-6333 www.frenchmortuary.com
        Published on: Tue February 19, 2008

HAAG -- Wilburn "Sandy" Wayne Haag, 60, of Edgewood, NM passed away Friday, February 15, 2008 at home with his loving family beside him. Wilburn was born July 7, 1947 in Artesia, NM to John Frederick and Bessie (McClure) Haag. Wilburn was a member of the First Christian Church. Wilburn was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by sisters, Mary Beverage of AZ; Barbara Welsh of Edgewood, NM; nieces, Laura Sandison and husband, David, of Edgewood, NM; Beth Lynn and husband, Eugene, of Silver City, NM; nephews Warren Welsh, Fred Beverage and wife, Karlene, and, Kevin Beverage; great nieces and nephews Bonnie Welsh, Tyler Sandison, James Sandison, James Welsh, Emily Welsh (Emily was Wilburn's Godchild), Jessey W. Simpson, Jason Beverage, Brittany Beverage, John Beverage, Justin Beverage, Sister Bobbie Gibbons. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Edgewood, NM; Donald Ellibee will be officiating. Arrangements entrusted to: Harris Hanlon Mortuary (505) 832-6130 "Our Family Serving Your Family" www.Harris-HanlonMortuary.com
        Published on: Tue February 19, 2008

JAMES -- William B. "Bud" James, 85, a lifetime resident of Albuquerque, died Saturday, February 16, 2008. He is survived by his brother, Larry James and wife, Jackie, of Albuquerque; sisters, Nita Brewer and husband, Willie, of Albuquerque, and Norma Miller of Houston, TX; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends. Bud was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia James; long-time companion, Ona Brown; and sisters, Mamie Harger and Ruby Pederson. He was born on September 22, 1922 in Moriarity, NM to Jack and Zora James. He attended and graduated from St. Mary's High School, where he excelled on the football team. Bud entered the United States Army during WWII and served in the Pacific Theatre. After his honorable discharge he attended the University of New Mexico. He worked, until his retirement, for Navajo Freight Lines as a dispatcher. Bud was an avid Notre Dame Football fan and followed closely the UNM Lobos in all sports. He was a great animal lover, especially the many dogs he owned through the years. Bud was a loving brother and uncle and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Memorial Mass will be celebrated Thursday, February 21, 2008, 10:30 a.m., at French Mortuary, Wyoming Blvd. Chapel. Interment of cremated remains will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made in Bud's name to the Albuquerque Humane Association of New Mexico 615 Virginia St SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 or All Faiths Receiving Home, 1709 Moon St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112-3973. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400 www.frenchmortuary.com
        Published on: Tue February 19, 2008