Gilbert H. - Age 82 - Espanola Ferran

Gilbert H. Ferran, 82, born in Santa Fe on September 18, 1929 and a lifelong resident of Española, NM returned to Our Lord on Friday, February 17, 2012. Gilbert was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed tending to his and his parent’s ranches because he loved animals, nature, and the outdoors and because it also helped his mother and father. He took his children with him when he went to the ranch and there he taught them his love of life and nature. Gilbert served his country in the Korean War and earned a Bronze Star while serving there. Afterwards he attended and graduated from New Mexico State University in 1958, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. While at New Mexico State, he was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity whose mission is to champion a lifelong commitment to brotherhood, learning, ethical leadership and exemplary character. He also met and married the mother of his children in 1955 while attending New Mexico State. After graduating from New Mexico State, Gilbert went to work at Los Alamos National Laboratories where he worked for thirty-three years, lastly in Industrial Hygiene. When Gilbert wasn’t working the ranch or at Los Alamos, he found time to serve as Vice-Chairman of the New Mexico Republican Party and as a member of the Human Rights Commission. In addition he enjoyed raising his children, dancing and he could spark a conversation with anyone on just about any subject. Gilbert was preceded in death by his sister, Lorraine Ferran-Padilla and her husband Juan A. Padilla; the mother of his children, Grace Archuleta-Ferran; parents, Isidoro and Flossie Ferran; and his brother, Julius Ferran. Gilbert is survived by his children: Naomi Christensen and husband Will of Española, Yvette Ferran-Gossett and Gregg Gossett of Portales, Gregg Ferran of Española, Michelle Ferran and lifelong partner Bart Torres of Española, Regina Atencio and husband Fred of Albuquerque, Andrew Ferran of Española; grandchildren: Lecole Trujillo of Albuquerque, Jess Gossett of Portales, Adrienne and Eric Atencio of Albuquerque; great-granddaughter, Mia Grace Hennessey of Albuquerque; sister-in-law, Mary Ferran of Santa Fe; sisters, Edna Ferran of Santa Fe, Elsie Hays and husband Luke of Gallina; brother, Robert Ferran and wife Viola of White Rock, NM and numerous other loving relatives and friends. A rosary will be recited on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Española. Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Friday, February 24, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Española. A reception will follow the mass at Anthony’s at the Delta Restaurant in Española. Burial will be held on a later date at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be: Loren Archuleta, Scott Ferran, Pat Hays, Charles Padilla, Gilbert Padilla and Jessie Trujillo. In lieu of flowers, the family of Gilbert H. Ferran requests a donation to your favorite nature or animal charity. The family of Gilbert H. Ferran has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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