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WASHBURN -- Gerry Douglas Washburn, 78 of Fort Sumner, NM died July 19, 2010 at his home following an illness. He was born March 31, 1932 in Cebolla, NM to the home of Dee Owen and Mabel (Perry) Washburn. Gerry graduated from Los Lunas High School, attended the University of NM and Eastern NM University where he received his BA, MA and Phd. in Education. He married Mary Ross Wilmeth on September 6, 1954 in Fort Sumner. Gerry was a U.S. Army Veteran; he served during the Korean War as a Military Police Officer at Fort Carson, CO and was honorably discharged in 1962. Gerry worked for the NM Department of Game and Fish; he was a longtime NM educator and served as a High School science teacher at Roy, NM and Dora, NM; served as H.S. Principal in Dora, NM; was Principal and later Superintendent at Floyd, NM; served as an Assistant Superintendent and later Superintendent at Tucumcari Public Schools. He retired in 1986. Gerry enjoyed hunting and raising Walker Dogs, Taxidermy, Rock Work, Sculpting, Painting and working around his home. Gerry and Mary lived in Tucumcari, NM from 1976-1989 before making the Fort Sumner valley their home. Gerry was preceded in death by his wife Mary Ross Washburn January 2, 2009; his parents; a granddaughter Lilylynn Washburn; six brothers Oswald, Gerald, Perry, Jerry, Max and Norman Washburn and a sister Polly Penka. Survivors include three sons Gerry C. Washburn and wife Audrey of Los Alamos, Scott O. Washburn and wife Dierdre of Floyd, NM; Bruce W. Washburn and wife Crystal of Raton, NM; two daughters Cindy K. Terry of Santa Rosa, NM; Debra A. Paul of Clovis, NM; a sister Madeline Cooper and husband Ken of Arizona . Also surviving are 14 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, July 23, 2010 at the funeral home. Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 24, 2010 from Fort Sumner Cemetery with Gary Good officiating. Pallbearers will include Gerry T. Washburn, Zachary Washburn, Caleb Washburn, Grant Washburn, Shenandoah Terry, Shiloh Terry, Blake Washburn and Ethan Washburn. The family prefers memorial contributions in Gerry's memory to Parkinson's Research Foundation, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, NM 88119. (575) 355-2311. To place an online tribute or sign the guest book, visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com
        Published on: Wed July 21, 2010