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KOTARA -- Nick Kotara, Jr., born October 12, 1923, peacefully went home to be with the Lord and "Mama" on January 6, 2007 while surrounded by his family. He was born in Falls City, TX to a family that eventually consisted of 9 boys. He joined the Army Air Corp at the age of 17, after having a "slight brush with the law" in the area of his home. He was in the military when he met the love of his life, Glenna Boyer of Blackwell, OK. They married and moved to different Air Force bases in the western part of the United States. He served during WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. In the 1960s, he and "Mama" took in their two nieces and one nephew and eventually adopted Sandra and Richard. Nick retired from the USAF in 1966 after 21 years. He worked then for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, working at the old Albuquerque Indian School and also worked for Landscaping at the University of New Mexico. Nick's beloved wife preceded him in death on May 11, 1996. Nick has spent the last year at Alcantilado Vista Retirement Home in Rio Rancho. He is survived by his daughter, Sandra Kimura, of Rio Rancho, her friend Carl Espinoza, Eugene Kimura of Rio Rancho and son Richard Kotara of Albuquerque. He is also survived by his niece, Shirley Windsor, of Pensacola, Florida; grandsons Mike Kimura, his wife, Lynette, Brian Kimura, his wife, Renae, Daniel Kimura, his girlfriend, Marissa Sanchez, Cody Kotara and his wife Cynthia, and Tonja Kotara; and great-granddaughters, Kory Kotara, Kalei Kimura and Dakota Kotara, Victoria and Joanie Schultz. He also has one brother, Chris Kotara, who still resides in Poth, TX and various nieces and nephews. The family would especially like to thank the staff and doctors of the Presbyterian Adult Intensive Care Unit for their special care of Nick in his last hours. The Rosary will be recited on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at 7 p.m. at St. Thomas Acquinas Catholic Church, 1594 Sara Rd. in Rio Rancho. A Funeral Mass will be given on Friday, January 12, 2007 at 11 a.m. also at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Ashes will be interred at a later date in the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Reception to follow at Sandra's home.
        Published on: Thu January 11, 2007