Notable New Mexicans who died in 2024

Notable people who died this year

Dec 31, 2024

From cowgirls to presidential candidates, this year New Mexico mourns some of its most influential residents.

Here is a list of some notable New Mexicans that we lost this year:

Antoine PredockThough not born in New Mexico, world-renowned architect Antoine Predock called the Land of Enchantment his spiritual home in interviews with the Journal. Predock was best known for his innovative structures that often blended nature and his postmodernist design style. Walking along the banks of the Rio Grande in Albuquerque, you can see his legacy in the La Luz del Oeste townhomes that line the river’s bank. Scattered across New Mexico are other Predock designs, such as George Pearl Hall at the University of New Mexico, which overlooks Central, or the Rio Grande Nature Center nestled inside the bosque. Predock died on March 2 at age 87.

Edward VelardeFormer president of the Jicarilla Apache Nation, Edward Velarde never strayed far from his hometown of Dulce. After a stint in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, Velarde returned home to serve as a member of the council. He went on to become vice president before taking on the role of president of the northern New Mexico tribe. He was lauded by tribal and state politicians as a man who looked to the future, working with the state government to foster energy and economic development on the reservation but never forgot his people’s past, always sure to honor cultural traditions. Velarde died May 12, at age 76.

Frank DuBoisFormer New Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Frank DuBois III was described by many as a real-life cowboy. From 1988 to 2003, four different governors came and went but DuBois stayed at his post despite a debilitating multiple sclerosis diagnosis. A graduate of New Mexico State University and longtime Las Cruces resident, DuBois was an avid fan of roping, rodeos and the Western way of life. He died Aug. 10, at age 77.

Fred HarrisAfter traveling cross-country in a Winnebago camper campaigning for president, former Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Fred Harris settled in Corrales in 1976 after more than a decade on Capitol Hill. At 25, Harris served as the youngest-ever state senator in Oklahoma. In 1964, Harris was elected to the U.S. Senate, joined by other young congressional freshmen such as Robert F. Kennedy. There he stayed until he launched a bid for president in 1972 and another in 1976. Harris never truly retired from politics. He worked as a political science professor at the University of New Mexico and often fundraised for the Democratic Party and lobbied for political causes such as tribal sovereignty. Harris died Nov. 23, at age 94.

John Arthur SmithJohn Arthur Smith of Deming served in the New Mexico Legislature for three decades. Known for his fiscal conservatism and his role as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, he earned the nickname “Dr. No” for his tendency to resist spending initiatives proposed by governors, including ones from his own party. He also played a key role in navigating the state through budget downturns, helped create a state early childhood trust fund and brokered a compromise to bring New Mexico into compliance with the federal Real ID law. Smith died Oct. 7. He was 83.

Linda Mitchell DavisRaised among cowboys, Linda Mitchell Davis was a well-respected New Mexican rancher. Davis grew up on Tucumcari’s Bell Ranch and worked on Cimarron’s CS Ranch with her husband Les Davis until his death in 2001. In the 1950s, Davis briefly left the wide open spaces of southern New Mexico for Ithaca, New York, where she studied agriculture at Cornell University. Davis has been inducted into numerous ranching halls of fame, such as the National Cowgirl Museum. Davis died Feb. 18 on her ranch. She was 93.

Nadine MilfordAfter losing her daughter and three grandchildren in a car accident on Interstate 40 west of Albuquerque, Nadine Milford dedicated the rest of her life to preventing such tragedies. Milford served as the president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving New Mexico for many years and was a persistent advocate for reform. She petitioned lawmakers and was honored both locally and nationally for her efforts. Milford died Dec. 1. She was 86.

Ollie Reed Jr.Ollie Reed Jr. was a newspaperman who worked as a reporter for half a century and was one of the Albuquerque Journal’s own. Reed wrote many of the obituaries on this list. Hailing from Mississippi, Reed came to New Mexico in 1976 and covered every facet of New Mexico life, from city hall to sports, for 40 years. Reed died Nov. 19. He was 76.

Pauline EisenstadtPauline Eisenstadt was the first woman to serve in both the New Mexico House and Senate. Pauline came to New Mexico with her husband, Mel, in 1973, who was attending law school at the University of New Mexico. In 1984, Eisenstadt ran for and won the seat in House District 44, representing Bernalillo and Sandoval counties. This historic win made way for generations of women, and this year, for the first time, the New Mexico Legislature has a female majority. Eisenstadt served in the state Legislature until 2000. Eisenstadt died on March 1 and is believed to have been 85.

Scott AppelmanScott Appelman’s ballooning business began humbly in his garage in 1983. He called it Rainbow Ryders. More than 40 years later, Appelman’s company flies nearly 40,000 people a year across 40 states. Appelman pioneered the Balloon Glow at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and was behind the founding of the beloved annual Special Shape Rodeo. Appelman died Aug. 15 in Phoenix. He was 66.