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FIRKINS -- Bruce Firkins, 74, born November 1, 1933 in Saint Francis, KS, died at home August 22, 2008, in Rio Rancho, NM. Bruce's wife of 48 years, Jan, son Jim, and two grandchildren miss and love him so much. We appreciate the support and prayers that have been so generously bestowed by Bruce's large extended family and numerous close friends and neighbors. Bruce attended University of Colorado after graduation from Saint Francis High School, then transferred to New Mexico State to complete his BS in music in 1956. He began teaching in Carlsbad, NM, moving to Deming to become the high school band director. Bruce's band program at Deming High School was one of the best in the region. Under Bruce's direction from1958 to 1972, the Wildcat Band won numerous top ratings and awards in New Mexico competitions as well as band festivals in Arizona and Texas. In 1968 Bruce received his Master of Music Education degree from Western State College of Colorado. Developing an interest in real estate, Bruce left teaching to open Firkins Real Estate in Deming in 1974. He became very active in a wide variety of business and community organizations, holding offices in Rotary Club, Shrine Club, and Deming Chamber of Commerce. He loved hosting Rotary International exchange students, initiated an Exchange Progam of Sister Cities with Nuevo Casas Grandes, Mexico, Rotary and was a recipient of the Rotary Paul Harris Award. Bruce founded the Deming Silver Spikes group in 1980. He was selected to serve on many boards and commissions, notably the NMSU Foundation and the Alamagordo Space Center Hall of Fame. Bruce sold his business to long-time friends in Deming, retiring in Rio Rancho in 1996. There will be a Memorial and Celebration Service Saturday, September 13, 2008, 11:00 am, at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 114 Carlisle SE, in Albuquerque. A special Gravesite Service will be held in Deming at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Bruce wished donations to be made to the Music Department Foundation Account, c/o the NMSU Foundation Inc, PO Box 3590, Las Cruces NM, 88003-3590, or to a charitable organization of your choice.
        Published on: Sun September 07, 2008