Reynaldo S. Mares

Reynaldo "Ray" Mares, 92 of Fort Sumner, passed away Friday, August 21, 2015 at Lovelace Medical Center in Albuquerque following an illness. He was born on December 31, 1922 in Fort Sumner to the home of Faustin and Beatrice Mares. He attended school in Fort Sumner participating in football, basketball and amateur boxing. Ray volunteered and entered the United States Navy on May 3, 1943. He received his GED while serving in the Navy. He was honorably discharged on February 16, 1946. Ray married Viola Pena on June 24, 1946 in Fort Sumner, NM. He worked for the Village of Fort Sumner for over 35 years and retired as the Public Works Superintendent. He was a member of Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fort Sumner. He was a member of the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus and served a term as Grand Knight. He was a former member of the American Legion and the New Mexico Water and Wastewater Association. Ray is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Viola, and two brothers; Max and Ernest Mares. Ray is survived by his son Richard Mares of Albuquerque, NM; a daughter, Margaret Reyes of Clovis, NM; five grandchildren; Connie Samora, Raymond Joe Samora, Jolene Ortega, April Ortega, and Adrian Mares; a sister, Stella Pasco; a brother, Eloyd Mares. Also surviving are 4 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation hours will be Monday from 11am-5pm at the funeral home. Rosary services for Ray will be at 6:00 PM Monday, August 31, 2015 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Fort Sumner. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 am, Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at St. Anthony Catholic Church with Fr. Christopher Bernabe Officiating. Burial with Military honors will follow at the Fort Sumner Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Albert Lopez Jr., Carlos Hernandez, James Allen Dunn, Raymond Joe Samora, Woodrow Rael and Ernest Mares. All arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311.