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VIERS -- GERALD RAY Dr. Gerald Ray Viers lived an eventful life that took him around the world and into the hearts of many. He was born second of four boys to Colonel Wesley Lee and Ella Marie Viers in Seattle, WA (August 18, 1942). The Viers lived throughout the United States, Germany, and Japan during and post WWII. Gerry, as he was affectionately known, was bright and engaging, and possessed a preternatural ability for horse riding, training, and competition. Throughout his life, Gerry excelled at horsemanship. He was the youngest rider to win the Japan Cup, an equestrian show jumping event; he rode and roped his way to the 1964 Fiesta Rodeo All-Around Cowboy belt buckle; and was recently acknowledged as the oldest rider to complete the Parelli Savvy training academy. In addition to horses, his pleasures included reading the Bible, writing poetry, listening to classical music, going to the movies, eating green chile cheeseburgers, and cheering for the Dallas Cowboys. His diverse interests were a direct outcome of a diverse life. Gerry lived in over forty different locations during the course of his life, including an abandoned boxcar out on the West Mesa. He also held a number of jobs during the course of his life too, doing whatever it took to make ends meet. These jobs included bowling alley pin setter, racetrack groomsman, residential electrician, magazine editor, and oil and gas executive. He was a student of knowledge and life. Dr. Viers received a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of New Mexico (1968), a Master of Arts in English as a Second Language from Northern Arizona University (1974), and a Doctor of Philosophy in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University (1978). He was awarded Dissertation of the Year from Indiana University, inducted into Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and granted post-doctoral studies at several institutions. Throughout his life he was a voracious reader, studying religion, political science, philosophy, informatics, and digital media among many topics. He was also an accomplished educator serving as English and mathematics teacher to disadvantaged youth, Principal of Navajo Academy (Farmington, NM), Lecturer and Adjunct Professor at UNM, Professor at Cal Poly Pomona, and varsity soccer coach at Azusa HS. Based on his accomplishments, diverse experiences, and interest in improving the lives of others, Dr. Viers aspired to hold political office, as he was "appalled at the current state of political discourse, action and inaction." Although he registered as Democratic, Republican, Libertarian, and Independent at one point or another during his life, he felt that no current political party could capture the needs of today's society. He spent his final years communicating his ideas for a better world to all that would listen. Gerry had three children and two grandchildren. He is survived by his mother Marie Viers of Albuquerque; his two brothers, Ron Viers of Tampa, FL and Walter Viers of Albuquerque; his son, Dr. Joshua Viers and daughter-in-law, Gillian Viers, and their two sons, Carson and Everett of Woodland, CA; his daughter, Ms. Jessica Viers of Albuquerque; and his daughter, Capt. Esther Tan, Chief Resident of William Beaumont Army Medical Center, El Paso, TX. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Viers of Little Rock. Gerry turned the final page on this life August 26, 2007. Deus propitius esto mihi peccatori. Memorial Service to be held at Elena Gallegos Picnic Area at 6 p.m. on August 30. 2007.
        Published on: Thu August 30, 2007